If you are thinking of changing your mountain bike, MTB, you probably already have in mind some of the features you expect from it. But if you’re just getting started in mountain biking, and don’t have much of a sense of the world, going into the purchase of a mountain bike can be challenging, even stressful.
That’s why in this article from Pedalmoto we want to give you a series of tips that we would all have liked to hear the first day we looked for a mountain bike to buy.
GET EXPERT ADVICE
As we have already mentioned, nobody is born knowing, and every expert cyclist knows that making a mistake when buying the first mountain bike is quite simple. That is why we recommend that you let yourself be advised by expert personnel specialized in bicycles. At Pedalmoto we have an expert team that will know how to advise you, and that will provide you with the MTB that best suits your needs, as well as your budget.
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT YOUR RIDING STYLE
Another of the fundamental aspects when choosing the right mountain bike is to keep in mind the use we are going to give it. Within mountain biking there are basically 4 styles, so within MTBs we can make this same distinction:
Cross Country
It is the most practiced form of mountain biking, and is characterized mainly by the diversity of terrain along the route. Ascents and speed predominate, with descents taking second place. For this type of route the most recommendable is a light mountain bike, with front suspension. For this reason, the frames are usually made of aluminium, carbon fibre in the best of cases. At the same time, we recommend short handlebars, which make climbing easier and have greater aerodynamics. On the other hand, the saddle is usually kept high, as it is predominantly climbed in this type of routes.
Downhill
Also known as downhill, this is the most aggressive and risky modality in mountain biking. It consists of descending, in the shortest time possible, a slope that has been modified by human action to make it even more complicated, and at the same time, attractive. It is a sport that gains followers every year, and here in Granada it can be practiced with ease.
The characteristics for a suitable downhill bike are
- Double suspension, essential to make the descent more comfortable for the cyclist
- A robust frame, mostly in aluminium, carbon fibre in the case of professionals
- The handlebars are high, even double height, making it easier to ride and better control the bike on steep terrain
- Finally, and in this less important case, the saddle is kept low, as the rider does not need to pedal during the race or route.
Freeride
It is a style of mountain biking that is characterized by tricks and risky jumps. The cyclist must go down a slope, either natural or artificial, and then perform tricks with the bike. It is a rather aesthetic and risky sport, but that does not prevent it from gaining followers.
The characteristics of the freeride bike are as follows:
- Robust frame, although it really depends on the personal preference of the rider
- The suspension should be double, as significant falls are expected after the pirouettes
SIZE DOES MATTER
Just like when you go shopping for clothes you take into account the size, when you buy a mountain bike the same thing happens. The buyer wants to be comfortable and avoid injuries that may appear in the long run, so the most sensible thing is to be advised by someone expert in the field who is not going to make a mistake when choosing the size of the bike.
THE COMPONENTS BEFORE THE BRAND
Rather than getting carried away by brands, colours or shapes, what we really advise is that you buy the MTB with the components that best suit your needs and type of riding. We know that entering the world of bicycle components can be risky, so we have selected the main components to consider when buying the perfect mountain bike.
Type of suspension for a suitable mountain bike
We recommend that for a mountain bike, especially for the very varied terrain that Granada presents, you should opt for a double suspension.
Within the mountain bikes, we can differentiate between double suspension, or front or fixed suspension. The latter makes the bike lighter and therefore more efficient in pedaling, but makes the descents very uncomfortable. Besides, it is not very advisable for steep terrain.
Therefore, although a double suspension will make the mountain bike slightly less economical, the benefits in comfort by damping vibrations will compensate.
Type of brake for a suitable mountain bike
The best thing for a mountain bike is to choose a disc brake, either hydraulic or mechanical, as it is the most sensible option for descents or for terrain you are likely to find wet.
It is normal to find v-brakes on the most basic bikes, but they lose brake capacity on downhills and lose power when they get wet, a risk that is better avoided.
Type of tyre for a suitable mountain bike
For a mountain bike, we recommend tubeless wheels. These are more complex to assemble, but this is compensated for by higher performance compared to tubeless wheels.
At the same time, it is important to keep in mind the correct inflation pressure for the bike, since we do not want to have a puncture or make the wheel too worn out.
START WITH A BASIC BIKE AND WORK YOUR WAY UP
Finally, one of the best tips we can give you if you are a beginner is to choose the mountain bike that best meets your expectations, as well as best fits your budget, and as you gain experience, improve it with different components.
We hope that all this advice will help you to choose the most suitable MTB, and remind you that if you have any further doubts, you can always count on the Pedalmoto team to help you in your choice.