What To Look For In A Mountain Bike? – Spotting A Good Mountain Bike

mountain Bikes

Among the most beneficial things that you can get for yourself would be a mountain bike. And why not? You can use this to commute to work daily or explore the countryside during weekends. You are not just having a wonderful time but also burning some calories and giving your body its needed workout whenever you go cycling.

Any biker would want no less than the best option suitable for his respective biking expertise, needs, and budget. So what to look for in a mountain bike? Just like in any product, the experience is on a case-to-case basis. While heeding what experts advise, you need to consider your preferences when choosing which mountain bike would be perfect for you.

Considerations On The Biker’s End

We will go through what to look for in a mountain bike later but before we do that, let us enumerate what you need to assess on your part.

  • Your biking skills. You are either a novice, intermediate or advanced biker. There is a specific bike for each level of expertise and it is important to get whichever is most suitable to you.
  • Your height and weight. How small or big you are is important when choosing the right frame size and the height and position of the saddle.
  • Preferred bike weight. How light or heavy do you want your bike to be? While many bikers choose featherweight MTBs, your bicycle does not need to be that light. What matters most is that you can conveniently maneuver your mountain bike and that it is sturdy and stable when it hits rough terrains and obstacles.
  • Biking Locations. Where will you be riding the bike on? Do you like mellow roads or prefer hardcore terrains? You will need a durable and heavy-duty MTB if it is the latter. A full-suspension mountain bike is preferable for this type of biking too.
  • How often are you going to cycle? Do you like biking on extended durations and long distances? The saddle position and the wheels play significant roles if you like long-distance biking.
  • Extra Specs. Do you want a basic mountain bike or want one that already comes with additional trinkets? Make sure that the extra feature will come in handy to you as they may add weight to your MTB. Anyways, you can upgrade the bike later when needed.
  • Whether it is your first time buying a mountain bike or not, a significant factor in the selection process would be the budget. You need to manage your expectations according to how much you can spend on the MTB. As you advance though, you will likely become more liberal with your budget.

List down all your answers to these questions and compare them with the specs, pros, and cons of the mountain bikes you consider buying.

Defining A Good Mountain Bike

There are hundreds of bicycles available in and out of the internet. You even have the option to have one shipped from abroad. Wondering what to look for in a mountain bike? Listed here are qualities to spot in your upcoming ride.

  • The bike has been made by a trusted manufacturer in the industry. This company does not have to be mainstream. What matters most is that it is known to create quality mountain bikes.
  • The bike’s components are made by reputable brands like SR Suntour, RockShox, Shimano, and WTB. Some companies prefer to use in-house parts for their bikes. Check out how they fare if you are going for bikes made of less-known components.
  • There is a wide range of frame sizes that you can choose from. It is a plus if the bike is available in extra small to extra-large sizes.
  • You have the option to modify the wheels either to a bigger size or a smaller one. They are tubeless-compatible or tubeless-ready too.
  • The type of brakes the bike is fitted with is suitable for you, whether it be mechanical disc brakes, hydraulic disc brakes, V-brakes, or others.
  • The mountain bike should have a clean, stylish, and modern design that you can proudly show off whether it be on a commute in the city or trail riding in the mountainside.
  • A mountain bike that already has a dropper seatpost would be ideal so that you can easily adjust the seat height to your liking.
  • Whether it be a hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike, it should be able to have enough cushioning to absorb every single bump and thump to lessen your fatigue while you ride.
  • The mountain bike should be firm and durable. Even if you choose a featherweight bike, it should not easily dent or bend whenever it comes across obstacles.
  • Being resistant to scratch and rust would be a plus for any mountain bike.
  • The bike is future-ready. It can be updated to new bike trends.
  • Its specs, features, components, and overall performance are reasonable for its price tag.
  • The manufacturer or the seller of the mountain bike offers a warranty for the parts and a full refund when the MTB is returned for valid reasons.
  • Having a detailed and easy-to-understand assembly manual would be a plus.
  • A bike that requires less maintenance is ideal.
  • Expert reviews and past and present users highly recommend this bike. It has impressive ratings too.

See to it that the mountain bike meets most or all these mentioned qualities while also making sure that your needs are taken care of. Although you have to listen to reliable advice, bear in mind that your experience riding a specific mountain bike is unique to you. This bicycle may be great for you but not for another rider. So your expectations need to be prioritized during your selection.

It is wise to listen to more experienced riders when finding out what to look for in a mountain bike. However, be choosy with the buying guide and reviews that you consult on the internet. You will want a comprehensive, honest, and unbiased opinion about each of the mountain bikes in mind.