Buying a mountain bike can be very time consuming and frustrating. Before you purchase a bike you might find it useful to be aware of a few things before you buy.
First, decide on a budget for your endeavor. Set a price range that you would be willing to pay and try to stick as close as possible to that price. In order to receive the best service and best quality bike, it is best to buy from a bicycle shop or dealer rather than a large retail chain store.
After you set your budget, it is time to decide on a style of bike that will best suit your needs. Try to figure out what types of trails you will be riding on the most. You can choose from cross country, racing, smooth riding, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill style.
Next, decide if you need a hard tail, meaning no rear suspension, and is lighter and more efficient to pedal. Full suspension offers better control and more overall comfort. One big factor that can help with your final decision goes back to what you decide on for a budget.
Since there is such a wide variety of components on today’s mountain bikes, it is hard to decide on the features which will suit you the best. Fick out a few features that you may definitely want to have on your bike and stick to that. This will ensure that you get more for your money while remaining within your budget.
The price of mountain bikes varies at different times of the year. Spring and Summer are peak buying seasons, but hundreds of dollars can be saved by buying in Fall and Winter. Bike shops will often times offer up free accessories or discounts if you purchase from them. When choosing a dealer to buy from, shop around a little. It is best to have a dealer who is interested more in selling a good product versus trying to make the most money.
Be sure to test ride several bikes before you buy one. Some will feel better when riding than others, and you can make sure that the bike is in good working condition.
A good way to get an idea which bikes are the best overall is by reading product reviews before you begin your search for the perfect bicycle. These reviews can give you the best insight on which bikes have been rated with the best overall performance and reliability.
