| How to choose a mountain bike depends on what | | | | other MTB parts, of course will be Shimano and |
| you are going to do with it, if all you want your | | | | as usual get the best you can afford. There are |
| new mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely | | | | many combinations of hubs and rims to make up |
| ride on the canal path or a ride in the woods with | | | | your wheels; hubs from Shimano and rims form |
| the dog, well you wont need a full suspension | | | | Mavic are the usual mix. Then you have to |
| downhill machine with 4 inch travel on the forks | | | | choose which suspension forks to put on you |
| and a fully articulated rear end with damping and | | | | bike, you may not get a choice, depending on |
| rebound control. | | | | which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, |
| Where to Start From. | | | | Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy |
| If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park | | | | any of these and you wont go far wrong. |
| you don't need to spend too much, if you think | | | | Top Bikes, Top Money. |
| you will do any off-road riding then big tread tires | | | | If you want what the professionals ride you will |
| maybe all you need, but if you think you might | | | | have to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. |
| try some rough stuff then you will need | | | | As with road bike at the top of the range, you |
| suspension. Gears will probably be Shimano, | | | | can specify what you want to build up your |
| brakes must be V-brakes, but could be made by | | | | dream bike. Top bikes frames to spend your |
| a few different manufacturers, all the rest of the | | | | money on could be Klien, Scott, Rocky Mountain, |
| MTB components will depend on how much you | | | | Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and K2; these are some |
| can spend. If you go to your local bike shop or big | | | | of the most sought after bike frames in the |
| sports store and see what they've got to offer, | | | | world and would be the envy of your friends. |
| then buy it or have look on the Internet and | | | | Probably the best forks to put on your frame |
| maybe you'll find the same thing at a better price. | | | | would be RockShox SID's these are light and do |
| The Next Step Up. | | | | all the things you need with control of all functions, |
| So maybe you want to be a bit more | | | | there are many other to also to consider, look at |
| adventurous, more off-road, more forest tracks | | | | how much travel they have and the rebound and |
| and dry boulder river beds, then you'll need | | | | damping systems. Gears again will be either SRAM |
| something a little lighter, with suspension forks. All | | | | or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more money |
| this will cost you more money, but will be worth it | | | | could be spent on carbon or very light alloy |
| for the extra enjoyment and adventure. With a | | | | cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from |
| better mountain bike it will have a sportier handling | | | | Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted |
| and because it is lighter, it will be easier to struggle | | | | V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some |
| up the hills before you come flying down the | | | | fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will |
| other side. The components will again be Shimano | | | | have to take a lot of punishment, so maybe |
| and the quality will depend on how much money | | | | better to go for reliability over light weight |
| you can spend. V-brakes and Rapid-fire gear | | | | expense. Carbon handle bars, stem and seat pin |
| shifters, along with Shimano chain set, bottom | | | | and a light weight race saddle and Time or |
| bracket and headset. Handle bars, stem and seat | | | | Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then your choice of |
| pin should be alloy and along with a comfortable | | | | tires will depend on what terrain and ground |
| saddle you'll be set to take to the hills. | | | | conditions you are going to ride on. |
| More Money, More Bike. | | | | And Downhilling? |
| The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder | | | | Downhill bikes are very different, more like a |
| would be good enough to race on. There are | | | | cross country motor bike, but without the engine, |
| many to choose from, get on the net and surf | | | | low center of gravity and a lot of travel on the |
| the bike manufacturers sites and all the shop sites | | | | suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc |
| along with the magazines for juicy photos of the | | | | brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at |
| bikes. The top manufacturers in this price range, I | | | | the back as usually a single chain set is used. |
| would say are: - Trek, Giant, Specialized and | | | | Unless your going to do a lot of downhill racing |
| Cannondale, these companies make the nicest | | | | then there isn't much point in buying one as you |
| frames with the best mountain bike parts | | | | have to get up the hill first before you can come |
| available at the price, gears will be either Shimano | | | | down and as light weight is not an issue with |
| or SRAM, brakes could be V-brakes or cable disc | | | | downhill bikes, they are very heavy to get up hill |
| brakes, both are very good and light, most of the | | | | with out the use of a tow rope or a ski lift. |