by Alan Galatian

Created on: August 08, 2009

Mountain biking is a great way to escape cubicle life and get in touch with your wild side. The sport provides a great way to get your body fit and the feeling of flying down a mountain trail can give you a fresh perspective on what it means to be free. You can spend as much or as little as you want to get started, but you need to know what features are most important.

Mountain biking has been split up into many different styles. Are you interested in Cross-Country, Downhill, Freeride, Marathon, or just basic Trail Riding? As you shop you will find bikes designed specifically for each category you're interested in. There are also general, less specialized, mountain bikes available as well.

Before you begin researching bikes, the first order of business is to decide how much you can afford to spend. Once you have a price in mind, you can begin to think about brands and features. Even if your price tag is under $500 you can get into a good entry-level mountain bike made by some of the top names in the business, such as Gary Fisher, Trek, and GT, just to name a few.

After you have your target price the next consideration to make is whether to buy a Hardtail or a Full-Suspension bike. If your target price is under $1000, then you'll need to consider buying a new hardtail or a used full-suspension bike. Full-Suspension bikes get quite pricey, but if you have the luxury of choosing between the two then you'll need to know how each option benefits you.

If you plan to ride mainly on streets, dirt roads and hard-packed flat earth, with limited exposure to rocks and obstacles, then the hardtail bikes will work great for your needs. A hardtail is simply more efficient for this type of riding. You won't see much benefit from a full-suspension bike in these conditions and the hardtails will also be lighter.

If your goal is to take on more aggressive trails littered with plenty of rocks, tree branches and other obstacles, or if you will attack steep climbs or fast descents, then a full-suspension bike will be a better choice. The addition of a rear suspension will help to dampen the bone jarring impacts and will add more control to your ride in these conditions. Keep in mind that when it comes to suspension, you get what you pay for.

The next item to consider is the size of the frame. To ensure the best level of comfort and control you must have the right size bike. Bike frames are built in different sizes to fit different size riders. Regardless of where you decide to buy your bike, you should visit a local bike shop to get measured.

After you determine these core items, you can move on to the extras, such as the seat, the size of the tires, disk brakes versus caliper brakes, and accessories. These items are listed last because they can all be interchanged and upgraded later as you get more serious in the sport.

Seats are easy; just find one that feels good to sit on. The most important aspect about seats is a proper adjustment. Tire size will affect your speed and travel. Some like the extra travel provided by 29-inch tires, but others prefer 26-inch tires since they provide a faster start. As for brakes, the caliper brakes can be just what you need, but disc brakes are popular among more serious riders due to better braking performance in wet and dirty riding conditions.

Be sure to do your homework before you buy. If this is your first purchase, it would be best to buy from a local bike shop. Online shopping may seem convenient, but you must be certain that your bike is a proper fit. Now get out there and find your bike and hit the trails.

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