Mountain biking is a popular sport, and as it gains more and more popularity, biking enthusiasts have more mountain bikes to choose from. It is important to consider what type of riding you enjoy before selecting a mountain bike. Some of the most popular types are listed below.

Cross country. Cross country mountain bikes are designed to be very light weight, which will help the biker to navigate almost any terrain, including hills. This category will cover most mountain bikes.

Think you need a separate bike for general commuting purposes? Think again! A light weight cross country bike can be used for almost anything, including less challenging rides. From an aggressive workout to a short gas-saving commute, you’ll get a lot of miles out of your mountain bike.

Downhill. Many serious mountain bikers build their own downhill bike in order to go after very adventurous rides. A good downhill bike must have suspension in the front and the rear and very strong disc brakes.

Trails. Another very strong bike is a trail mountain bike. Trail riding is one of the most precise forms of mountain biking and is for very skilled riders. These riders take their sport very seriously and often design and build their own bikes.

Jump and slalom. These bikes are exceptionally strong and can be used for slalom, street racing, and even jumping.

Jump and slalom bikes use the strongest components available and offer great front suspension. Adrenaline junkies who mountain bike will love this one!

Mountain biking is a great workout and a great deal of fun, even for beginners. You’ll need a good, sturdy mountain bike selected just for you. You not only have your own style, but each person has different mountain biking goals. Visit several stores and see how you like different models. You may want to talk to other mountain bikers and find out what they like or don’t like about different models as well.

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Buying a mountain bike can be a bit frustrating not to mention time consuming. In this article we will be discussing a few things to consider before plunking down your hard earned cash on a mountain bike.

As you will find when you start looking for a mountain bike, there is a large range of prices attached to these things. Before you begin your search for a new mountain bike, you should determine your upper limit as to what you are willing to spend. With that said, you should stay away from the mass merchant stores such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart and concentrate instead on the local bike shops in your area. You will get much better service as well as a much better bike for your money.

You will soon find that all mountain bikes are designed around several different terrain types and riding styles. The first thing you should determine is the terrain types you will be encountering the most. You need to determine whether you will be doing cross country racing, smooth riding, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill. By doing your due diligence you will be ensuring that the mountain bike you select fits you and your style of riding intead of that of the sales staff.

A full suspension mountain bike is always worth the extra price if your wallet will allow it. The hard tail without the rear suspension is a much lighter bike and pedals more efficiently. However the full suspension mountain bikes are more comfortable as well as giving you better overall control. But again, you will want to factor in your price range, type of terrain, and riding style before finalizing your purchase.

Comparing mountain bikes component to component is nearly impossible, as there are far too many combinations available. The best way to go about doing this is finding a few components that are the most important to you and making sure the rest or the minimums fall within your price range. You can start with the fork then look at the wheels and rear derailleur.

During the year, the prices of mountain bikes can fluctuate quite a bit. Spring through summer is the main buying season. If you can wait until the right price pops up, normally in the fall and winter, you can save a couple hundred dollars. Many bike shops will also offer discounts or other accessories if you buy from them.

Ranking up there alongside finding a good price on your mountain bike is finding a good bike dealer. Finding a dealer who cares more about making sure you end up with a great bike as opposed to simply a high priced one may be a bit tricky but can be done. You will find that a top notch mountain bike dealer will keep keep a clean repair shop along with giving you the impression that they can be trusted.

Make sure that you test ride as many mountain bikes as you can that fall within your riding style and price range. The more you get the chance to do this the easier it is going to be to determine the ones that feel right for you. Test rides also give you the opportunity to determine first hand what works for you and what does not.

Make sure you avail yourself of any product reviews that you find online or elsewhere concerning the bike you have identified for purchase. Product reviews are some of the best ways to learn first hand from the horse’s mouth so to speak, about the performance and reliability of a particular mountain bike before committing to your final purchase.

Debbie Parkinson spends most of her time outdoors in addition to writing about challenging outdoor activities. Mountain biking is a fabulous outdoor activity but can be significantly enhanced with a pair of coolmax socks. These over the calf socks wick sweat away from your feet to insure they stay dry and comfortable for a full days ride.