Mountain Bike Buyers Guide

If you are planning to buy a mountain bike, there are various parameters which need to be considered before you come to a conclusion. Cost is one of the factors, which can drill spokes in this task. It is very difficult to decide from the available range, due to various factors. In a typical guide on tips to buy a mountain bike, there are many factors which are under the scanner. But the most important of them are the quality factors.

Pointers to Buy Mountain Bikes
The mountain bikes are available in the cheaper range as well. But they lack certain perks like suspension, disc brakes, etc. It is a good idea to check whether the bike can be upgraded with different accessories, as and when the need arises. Here is a mountain bike buyers guide to help you choose the right bike.

Frame
When a mountain trek bicycle is under consideration, it is important to first study the frame of the bike thoroughly. Many of the bike manufacturers give a lifetime warranty for the frames. It is a good idea to first check for the review of the frame. You should decide on a frame, taking your riding style into account. There is a variety in the frames, from which a buyer can make his choice. It has been noticed that the steel frame bikes are very heavy and also the quality is not up to the mark. There is a type called 'Crom-oly' , which is easily available. It is the mixture of steel, chromium and molybdenum. They are strong and sturdy. Carbon fiber frame is also a favorite with some buyers. They are strong and light in weight. There is a whole range of whole-suspension bikes, which are made from carbon fiber. But the downside of carbon fiber frames is, that they get damaged easily by rocks. Some varieties of mountain bikes also have aluminum frames. But they do not handle suspension, well. The titanium frames have also hit the market, but they were expensive initially. They are light in weight but as sturdy as the Crom-oly frames. After having decided upon the frame material, there are certain other parameters which need attention as well. The most important of them is whether upgrading is a feasible option; the others being good cabling, space for mud, etc.

Forks
After the frames, the forks are an important part of the bike. They are a part of the front suspension mechanism. They enable safe braking of the front wheel. A bike without fork suspension will vibrate and can be a reason behind the wheel losing its alignment.

Suspension
Suspension is an essential factor for comfort and control, especially for long hauls. It is not a very good idea to buy a bike without suspension of any kind. If you plan to navigate through large rocks and jump over them, it's a wise idea to have suspension installed on the bike. Although a school of thought is of the opinion, that suspension adds on to the maintenance cost.

Brakes
There are few kinds of brakes, which can be fitted to the mountain bikes. Hydraulic brakes rule the roost, although they are expensive. They work well in all weather conditions, which is not the case with cable rim brakes. The cable rim brakes are cheaper, although the labor cost can, at times be high. Some buyers choose to buy bikes with cable rim brakes, but it is important to inquire if it is possible to upgrade to hydraulic brakes.

Seats
An uncomfortable seat can cause the maximum amount of discomfort while riding. Hence, it is a wise option to buy a seat, which offers good comfort. It is suggested, that you put the seat to test before finalizing upon it. There are seats available, which are sweat absorbing. New range of seats have been launched in the market with a split nose. The manufacturers claim, these seats will be able to ward off testicular cancer in men. But the claim is not yet ascertained.

Fit of the Bike
Each buyer has his/her own preference in buying a particular fit of the bike. It is dependent whether you want better control on the bike or you want to ride comfortably without tiring your body . The height of the seat is also adjusted as per the requirements.

Wheels and Tires
While buying a mountain bike, checking the wheels and the tires of the bike is necessary. It is important to ascertain the use of the mountain bike. If you are going to be hard on your bike, then it is vital that you choose the hard wheels. The small wheels are light, but will not be able to stand the wear and tear. It is advised to buy wheels and tires of trusted brands and are a name to reckon within the industry.

Gear
These days, riders prefer gears which can be changed by twisting the grip of the handle bars. But trigger shifters is the better of the two options. They are located just under the handle grip. They are more reliable than the grip shifters and are also easy to use. The grip shifters can get changed unknowingly while riding. The other component of the gears are the dérailleurs. There are some brands which have a monopoly in the field of dérailleurs. But it is not advisable to buy a bike just because they have certain dérailleurs. It is important to look for endurance and weight of the dérailleurs, while buying them.

Guarantee
Since you are spending on a bike, it is important that you make the purchase from a well-known retailer. The bike should have 'Lifetime warranty' engraved on it, although, all the components are not covered under this warranty.

Cost
When you decide that you want to purchase a bike, make sure you plan your budget beforehand. The decent range of bikes start upwards from $450. Many people buy second sale bikes, although they cost much lesser now, they throw up repairs every now and eventually leading to more costs.

It is very difficult to list down ten best mountain bikes or top ten mountain bikes, as each one of the guide will have their own version of why the particular bike is better than the other. It is important, that the buyers decides the amount that he is ready to spend, the terrain he plans to go biking to and his intention of buying the bike. After all the considerations should the best mountain bike for the buyer be decided upon.