Buying a Mountain Bike | Advice for Purchasing an Off Road Bicycle

This is a short guide to give you a very basic idea and to help you frame your own ideas on buying your bike.

Step 1

Determine what type of mountain bike you need. You thought you were done when you decided on a mountain bike, didn’t you? No such luck. There are a number of kinds of mountain bikes built for different uses. The main versions are cross country (pros: lightweight, nimble, good for climbing; cons: less rugged and sturdy than other types), freeride/downhill (pros: built for taking drops and hitting jumps, lots of travel; cons: heavy, not good for climbing, not many gears) and all-mountain (cross between freeride and cross country).

Step 2

Figure out how much you can spend. Prices in each category vary widely, so determining how much money you are able to spend will help narrow the field.

Step 3

Start shopping. Begin online or with magazines and buyer’s guides to determine some bikes within your price range. Read reviews, when available, to find out what other riders and testers thought. Pay attention to components and parts that are important to you (shocks, pedals, brakes, drivetrain).

Step 4

Head to the bike shop. You should always test a bike in person before buying.

Step 5

Size it out. Pick out a model that you’re interested in and find the right size. Straddle the top tube and ensure you have 2-3 inches of clearance. You don’t want too much clearance and you definitely don’t want to be too close or touching.

Step 6

Give it a test ride. Adjust the seat so that your legs and arms have a slight bend. Ride until you have a feel for how comfortable the bike and components feel. Try several bikes to compare and pick the one that feels right.