Sunday, January 30, 2011

What to Look for When Buying a Mountain Bike


Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport, which involves riding a bicycle off the road and over rough terrains. If you are a beginner and want to buy a mountain bike, it is worth to look for some important things.


Budget
The first and foremost thing to be considered before buying a mountain bike is your budget. Mountain bikes for beginners are available for a price, ranging £155 to £200. High end mountain bikes cost more. You can first determine your budget and then start searching for a bike in the market. If you are on tight budget, you can go for mountain bikes available in a local bike shop rather than buying from a reputable store. If budget is not at all a concern, you can buy the best full suspension bike available in the market.
Style of riding
Once you have narrowed down your search by fixing budget, you can find out which type of mountain bike you want. Mountain bikes are designed for various riding styles and terrains. There are specific bikes for smooth trail riding, mountain cruising and cross country racing. It is worth to ensure whether the type of bike you want to choose will fit your riding style and the terrain you will ride over.
Upgradable parts
It is advisable to check whether the parts of the mountain bike can be upgraded in the future. As a beginner, you will find a basic bike better to get started with. When you improve your skills, you need more and more additional bike parts. Your bike should allow you to upgrade the parts.
Frame size
Frame size is one of the important things to be considered while buying a mountain bike. The frame of a mountain bike is much smaller than that of a road bike. Always choose a bike with a frame that is three inches smaller than your standard road bike. This helps you ride your bike comfortably.
Brakes
It is crucial to check the brakes of the bike before buying it. If the bike has V brakes, you need to check the alignment of the pads. It is important to ensure whether you are able to lock the wheels using two fingers. The brake pads should not touch the rims when it rotates. Both the pads should be adjusted to have equal distance from the rim.
Wheels
Wheels are yet another important feature of the bike to be considered before making a decision. The distance between the two stays should be constant. If it is not constant, you can confirm that the alignment is not ok. It is also worth to check the tyres.
Saddle compatibility
The type of saddle determines your efficiency and comfort and is one of the essential things to be looked for in a mountain bike. As you will sit on it for hours while going out for a ride, you need to choose the right type of saddle. If you are a woman cyclist, you need to choose a saddle that is specially made for women. Saddles for women are wider and offer extra support. Choosing a high quality mountain bike after considering all these aspects can help you enjoy improved performance and safety.
A huge range of mountain bikes by top brands are now available online by cycling product specialists. Just visit www.WestbrookCycles.co.uk for quality products at fantastic prices.
Westbrook Cycles is situated in Stokesley North Yorkshire,This is the ideal base to explore the fantastic scenery and diversity of terrain the North Yorkshire moors offer.
All our staff love to get out cycling on and offroad - and with this experience we carefully hand pick all of our bikes and accessories to suit. Whatever stage you are at in cycling, Westbrook Cycles will find that perfect bike or accessory that suits you, your style of riding, and your budget.
Our mechanics also play a vital role in the quality of the finished product that you purchase. Their love of bicycles shows in the pride they take in assembling and servicing your bike - and not just the ones we sell. So whether it's a minor tune-up or a major overhaul, you can count on us to do the job right.

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