Pick the Best Mountain Bike

Buying a mountain bike can seem like a big decision but you can help yourself by getting educated about the important aspects of the bike. While not comprehensive, the following six points should be considered when looking for the best mountain bike.

Six Points:
1. Price
2. Frame
3. Brakes
4. Shifters
5. Tires
6. Size/Fit

Price:
It will cost several thousand dollars to get the best mountain bike. 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. I'm sure you may be able to find a less expensive mountain bike at your local Walmart but the question you have to ask yourself is will it hold up. Many people make this very mistake when start out to buy a mountain bike. In the long run you would have been better off getting a more expensive mountain bike and keeping it for years rather than buying the cheap mountain bike and replacing it every year. The Iron Horse MKIII Sport Mountain Bike is a fine example of a popular mountain bike at an affordable price.

Brakes:
Obviously the best mountain bikes have the best brakes. The choice of rim brakes or disk brakes is a decision you will have to make. You will get the best braking with disk brakes but the cost will be a bit higher. Rim brakes offer a lighter, lower cost alternative but you will sacrifice some performance particularly in wet conditions. The Overdrive Mountain Bike is a good example of a well designed mountain bike that has dual disk brakes.

Shifters:
There are basically two types of shifters on mountain bikes, Rapidfire shifters and Gripfit shifters. Similar to a motorcycle the Gripfit shifters are designed into the hand grips and the Rapidfire shifters are positioned just under the brake lever. When it comes to choosing the shifters for your bike it should be noted that the more experienced riders seem to like the Rapifire shifters better.

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 find that you will have more control on the more aggressive surfaces. If you will be riding mainly on a paved surface then you will want to make sure you have the smaller knobed tires. Some mountain bikes have tires that will perform well off road and on road, these generally have medium size knobs on the outside of the tire.

Size/Fit:
For the mountain bike to suit you well it must fit you well. 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. This also depends on the terrain you will be ridding over. 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 for a great mountain bike that exceeds the strictest qualifications of many advanced riders than you must checkout the Smith & Wesson Custom Police Mountain Bike