Mountain Bike Tips - Which Type of Mountain Bike Do You Want

by David Burgess I am happy for my life.

Introduction

Mountain bikes come in various shapes, sizes, types, and colors; yet their roles are almost the same irrespective of their differing attributes. These are general relaxations, transportation of light loads, cruising very rough and rugged terrain, and exercising, to mention but a few! So, here comes the golden question: Which is the right mountain bike for me?

The choice of the most appropriate mountain bike type depends on several factors, some of which are mentioned below:

Riding Style

This refers to the manner in which the mountain bike will generally be put into use or rode. It is determined by several factors such as the nature of the intended riding trail; the exact intended use of the mountain bike e.g fitness, transportation, general relaxation e.t.c.; and the experience and expertise levels of the rider. Should the user be unsure of his precise riding style, then a general mountain bike is the best option given the fact that it is intended to handle all manner of terrains as well as a wide range of uses.

Wheel Size

There are four main wheel sizes. These are the 24 inches, 26 inches, 27.5 inches, and the 29 inches. As a general rule, the larger the wheel size, the more comfortable and powerful the bike is and vice versa. The choice of the most suitable mountain bike under this consideration is largely determined by the length of the legs and the skill level of the riders. Shorter riders such as small children are better off with the 29 inches while the more skilled and experienced mature riders are better off with the 29 inches wheel size.

The Type of Suspension

Suspension refers to the mechanism by which the bikes are cushioned from the various road conditions such as pot holes, rough terrains, and so on. There are three main types of suspensions namely the hard tail, the full suspensions, and the rigid suspension. The hard tail only cushions the front wheels and are cheaper; the full suspension covers both the front and the rear wheels but are more expensive; whereas the rigid bikes have no shock absorbers at all. For maximum comfort, the full suspension mountain bikes are to be preferred over and above the other two suspension types.

Braking System

It is the means by which the mountain bike is slowed down or brought to a complete halt at the conclusion of the riding session. There are two main types of baking systems. These are: disc brakes which slow down the mountain bikes by means of brake pads that clutch onto brake rotors that are mounted onto the wheel hubs; and the rim brakes that slow down the bikes by means of brake pads which grip onto the rims of the wheels. For less experienced entry-level riders, the rim brakes are the most preferable and vice versa.

Final Verdict

It is worth noting that the aforementioned parameters are in no way exhaustive since there are innumerable other factors which, owing to space constraints, could not be completely listed and explained. These include the weight, frame materials, gearing, and cost, among others. Users are therefore advised to conduct thorough due diligence before embarking on the exercise of identifying the most suitable mountain bikes for their liking in order to obtained the best deal.