How To Pick The Best Mountain Bike
Pick the Best Mountain Bike
Finding the best mountain bike isn’t as hard as you may think, but there are some things to look at that will help you to make a better educated decision. While not comprehensive, the following six points should be considered when looking for the best mountain bike.
6 Points:
1. Price
2. Frame
3. Brakes
4. Shifters
5. Tires
6. Size/Fit
Price:
To get the best mountain bike you can expect to pay several thousand dollars. The first place to start your search is to determine the price you are willing to pay. Depending on where you purchase your mountain bike the less expensive models will run you anywhere between 400 dollars and 800 dollars. You can find a cheaper bike at one of the local retail stores but chances are the bike will not hold up and you will be finding yourself replacing parts or even a new bike in a relatively short amount of time. Many people make this very mistake when start out to buy a mountain bike. Rather than getting the inexpensive mountain bike in the beginning and replacing it within a year, you would have been better off with the higher priced mountain from the start. The Iron Horse Mountain Bike is a good example of a quality mountain bike at an affordable price.
Brakes:
The best brakes can be found on the best mountain bikes. It’s up to you whether to get rim or disk brakes. The cost of disk brakes are higher but the braking power is superior. Rim brakes are generally lighter and cost less but there is a performance consideration to take into effect in wet weather. The Overdrive Mountain Bike is a great example of a top notch mountain bike that has dual disk brakes.
Shifters:
Mountain bikes use two different types of shifters, the Gripfit and the Rapidfire shifters. The difference between the Rapidfire shifters and the Gripfit shifters is in their location on the bike, the Rapidfires shifters are under the brake lever and the Gripfit shifters are designed in conjunction with the handle bar grips. It does come down to a matter of preference but the better riders seem to refer the Rapidfire shifters over the Gripfit shifters.
Tires:
If you will be riding primarily off road then you will want to make sure that you get the more aggressive off road tire with the large knobs. You will get better traction and more control on the uneven terrain. If you are using the mountain bike for mainly street use then you can get away with the smaller knobs for less resistance on the flatter paved surfaces. There are mountain bikes that are designed for off road and on road riding and have specific tires that compliment this style.
Size/Fit:
The best mountain bike for you will not only depend on price but on size also. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two to three inches of clearance above the top tube while you are standing, straddling the bike. The terrain you are traveling will be a determining factor. The more aggressive riders may want to allow for four to six inches of clearance to the top tube to allow for the more aggressive terrain you will be riding on. As you are sitting on the bike and your feet on the pedals try and maintain a 30 degree angle with the leg at the bottom of the apex. Generally speaking 30 degrees of knee bend is a good place to start.
These are several considerations to think about before you purchase your next mountain bike. If you choose wisely you will enjoy many miles of riding. If you are looking to purchase a durable mountain bike that exceeds the strictest standards of many advanced riders than you gotta checkout the Smith & Wesson Custom Police Mountain Bike