1.  Cross Country Bikes

The most common mountain bike –  most bikes will fit into this category.  These bikes are light weight, making them suited to all sorts of terrain, especially going uphill.  Cross country bikes have evolved to the point that they are often used for riding on paths and road, and even for commuting.

2.  Downhill Bikes

Serious bikers looking for an extreme downhill adventure will require a special downhill bike.  Usually custom built, these bikes feature strong parts and disc brakes to help them withstand the downhill punishment they receive.  They also come with full suspension – the extreme downhill bikers need all the control and comfort they can get.

3.  Trail Bikes

Much like the downhill bikes, trail bikes are often custom built, and rarely available off the shelf.  Trail mountain biking asks a lot of riders, who in turn ask a lot of their bike, so they are usually very light and very strong.  The precision riding of the sport mean these riders will spare no expense on their bikes to ensure they are getting maximum performance.

4.  Jump And Slalom Bikes

Designed to handle the punishment of jumping and street racing, these bikes are built with very strong components and front suspension.  Their strength, yet weight allowance from foregoing rear suspension, makes them perfectly suited for the jumping rider.

So the first step in looking for the bike that’s right for you is working out what you’re going to be doing on your bike.  These tips should point you in the right direction to working out what bike is going to fulfill your needs.  Happy hunting!

Related posts:

1. Introduce Yourself To Cross Country Mountain Biking
2. Learn Some Beginner Mountain Bike Skills For Your Next Ride
3. The 8 Crucial Steps To Buying A Mountain Bike

True cross country riders are without doubt a different breed, and so are their bikes.  Cross country bikes are built for speed – every innovation is designed to making this style of bike as fast as possible.

Cross country bikes have traditionally been hardtail mountain bikes.  The absence of the rear suspension was always a major point in keeping the bikes as light as possible.  Recently however, more cross country bikes are being fitted with full suspension without sacrificing weight, and have become popular as a result.

The major difference in a cross country bike from a free ride bike is their weight.  While free ride bikes generally clock in at around 40 pounds, the majority of cross country bikes weight less than 24 pounds – a huge difference.

If you’re inspired to take up cross country mountain biking, be prepared – it’s not for the faint hearted.  The terrain you’ll cover is hardly suited for beginners – you’ll be taking on steep hills and rough terrain, requiring a great deal of skill and expertise.  If you’re up to it though, you’ll experience quite a thrill.

So if your current mountain biking has become a bit – dare I say it – boring, why not take a look at cross country mountain biking?  You’ll get a great deal of enjoyment as you take your biking to a new level – you can discover a new range of bikes, new riding trails, and a whole new style of riding.  It could be just the ticket to fire up your riding spirit once again!

Related posts:

1. Discover The Different Types Of Mountain Bikes
2. The 8 Crucial Steps To Buying A Mountain Bike
3. Clothes For Winter Riding – 7 Items To Keep You Covered

Set Your Budget

When you start looking at all the different features available to you for your new mountain bike, the costs can start to spiral out of control.  There really is no limit to how much you can spend, but that said, there are plenty of options around for the entry-level buyer.  Make sure you decide how much you are going to spend to begin with, and then look in your price range for the bike that best suits you.

Know What Your Bike Will Need To Do

To know what bike is best for you, you need to decide what you need your bike for.  If you’re going to spend most of your time riding on the road or flat terrain, you’re going to be looking for a different bike than if you intend spending most of your time battling the hills.  Deciding this before you start looking will help you narrow your search and save you a lot of time.

What Suspension Do You Need?

Mountain bikes fall into two suspension categories – full suspension mountain bikes and hard tail mountain bikes.  Hard tail simply means no rear suspension.  If you want a lighter bike that’s more efficient to pedal, then hard tail is probably what you’re after.  However, if control and comfort are more important to you, then you’ll need full suspension.  Obviously, your budget may also affect your choice of suspension.

Choose Your Favorite Components

With so many mountain bikes available, it’s near impossible to compare bikes like for like, due to the great number of different components available in each.  The best way to narrow things down is to pick the components most important to you, and select a group of bikes that matches your requirements.  You can then get picky with the remaining components from a much smaller range of bikes to choose from.

Save At The Sales

Mountain bike prices can fluctuate quite wildly through the year, depending on seasons, retailers and manufacturers.  Generally, spring and summer are popular months to buy bikes, so if you can hold out (or plan ahead!) for the winter months, you can often grab a bike at a discount.  You can also shop around different bike shops and knock up to hundreds off the advertised prices.

Find A Good Bike Dealer

Finding a great local bike dealer can often be worth paying a slightly higher price.  The expertise, advice, and repair service they offer can really assist you to look after your bike well and gain maximum enjoyment from it.

Go For A Test Ride

Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a select few bikes, the best way to make a decision is to give them a test ride.  Often, you’ll find one bike really jumps out at you as the most comfortable or fun to ride and your search will nearly be over.

Finally – do your research!

Now you’ve got your mind set on a mountain bike, it doesn’t hurt to do some final research to be sure of your purchase.  You can find reviews of pretty much every bike on the market, from both official publications and websites, to biking forums and message boards, so do a search to see if there are any common problems or faults mentioned.

Now you’re a mountain bike buying expert, get out there and buy your dream bike.  Good luck!

NANCY DREW GIRL DETECTIVE: TRAILS OF TREACHERY by CAROLYN KEENE...    US $6.44

Wader MTB Road Bike Cycling saddle seat 05    US $10.72

New Yellow Fox Racing Dirtpaw Camplosion cycling BMX Road Bike MTB gloves M L XL    US $8.57

Related posts:

1. Discover The Different Types Of Mountain Bikes
2. Introduce Yourself To Cross Country Mountain Biking
3. A Trek Mountain Bike – Hey It Was Good Enough For Lance Armstrong!

Browse through a wide variety of Marin Mountain Bike listings. New and used Marin Mountain Bikes for sale at cheap discounted prices. Find the perfect Marin Mountain Bike for your needs. Listings are updated frequently, if not daily. Be sure to check back often!

2008 Marin Quad XC East Peak with Fox Float R. Quad Link Suspension    US $350.00

17" MARIN PALISADES TRAIL MOUNTAIN BIKE ~ SHIMANO 24 SPEED MANITOU READY TO RIDE    US $399.00

Marin Quake XLT Downhill Freeride Bike. Fox shocks.NEW    US $2,134.50

2010 Marin Mount Vision 5.8    US $2,500.00

Marin Palisades Trail 15" 38cm Mountain Bike    US $150.00

Rocky Mountain Custom 29er Hardtail Bike Frame Grey 21" NEW    US $.95

MARIN East Peak MTB Full Suspension Frame 2008 Size Small    US $400.00

18" MARIN Mountain Bike Frame + Parts 7005 Aluminum Retro    US $120.00

2010 Marin Mount Vision Med 5.9 120mm Frame Carbon Fox Float RPL Full Suspension    US $899.00

derailleur hanger JAMIS KINESIS APOLLO VENZO HARO VARIO    US $14.00

Marin Bikes-Bobcat Trail    US $700.00

Derailleur hanger Kona Dawg Supreme Scrap Kikapu Blast    US $14.00

Related posts:

1. Next Mountain Bikes
2. K2 Mountain Bikes
3. Intense Mountain Bikes

Browse through a wide variety of K2 Mountain Bike listings. New and used K2 Mountain Bikes for sale at cheap discounted prices. Find the perfect K2 Mountain Bike for your needs. Listings are updated frequently, if not daily. Be sure to check back often!

derailleur hanger JAMIS KINESIS APOLLO VENZO HARO VARIO    US $14.00

K2 EVO 3.0 Mountain Bike suspension frame Excellent (Proflex)    US $61.00

Derailleur hanger Kona Dawg Supreme Scrap Kikapu Blast    US $14.00

Derailleur hanger Ghost FR 7500 ERT 5700 CUBE Fausto BH    US $14.00

derailleur hanger for KONA dawg kula kikapu dew hei-hei    US $27.89

Vintage Gios Oria Mountain Bike Campagnolo Euclid Steel Bicycle Yellow Italian    US $849.00

K2 K2 Mountain bike Lithium Broadband Suspension    US $450.00

derailleur hanger D11 for HARO JAMIS APOLLO RALEIGH WILLNER IDEAL DIAMONDBACK    US $28.97

K2 NOLEEN Rear Derailleur Bike Hanger Item K013012 NEW    US $9.97

NEW 2011 Yeti ASR-7 Full Suspension 7" Frame Medium Black 2012 Kashima Fox RP23    US $1,399.00

Derailleur hanger Van-Dessel Jersey Devil Rumble Tumble    US $14.00

derailleur hanger for JAMIS KINESIS RALEIGH SCHWINN K2    US $14.00

Related posts:

1. Kona Mountain Bikes
2. Next Mountain Bikes
3. Intense Mountain Bikes

Browse through a wide variety of Intense Mountain Bike listings. New and used Intense Mountain Bikes for sale at cheap discounted prices. Find the perfect Intense Mountain Bike for your needs. Listings are updated frequently, if not daily. Be sure to check back often!

Intense or KLH Downhill Mountain Bike , w/ Fox shock, Chris King Headset Ect!!!    US $950.00

Derailleur hanger for INTENSE spider tazer 6.6 5.5 IBIS    US $28.64

Intense Socom Frame (Medium)    US $1,100.00

Intense Tracer VP mountain bike frame w/ Fox RP23 shock, XL AM XC vp    US $1,899.00

2010 Intense Tracer VP Frame L Fox 36 Fork Chris King    US $1,799.99

Intense M9 Downhill Race Bike- Custom Build 888 Saint SMAC Loaded Highroller    US $4,999.99

Intense Tracer 29er mountain bike frame w/ Fox RP23 shock, Medium, 29 er M AM XC    US $1,899.00

Like NEW Intense Uzzi VP Medium-Fox Talas 36 RC2-Fox DHX 4.0-Full XT Build    US $3,449.99

Turner DHR Mountain Bike    US $700.00

2012 Surly Pugsley Fat Bike Bicycle Snow Sand All Terrian Bike    US $1,750.00

REDUCED - Intense Spider Full Suspension Mountain Bike    US $2,200.00

2011 Intense 951 FRO Medium Red w/ Vivid Air + Angleset (MSRP $ 3200)    US $1,799.99

Related posts:

1. Your Mountain Bike Frame – Pick The Right Frame At The Right Size For You
2. Next Mountain Bikes
3. K2 Mountain Bikes

Browse through a wide variety of Next Mountain Bike listings. New and used Next Mountain Bikes for sale at cheap discounted prices. Find the perfect Next Mountain Bike for your needs. Listings are updated frequently, if not daily. Be sure to check back often!

Pacific 26" Women's Stratus ATB Mountain Bicycle/Bike    US $99.95

'09 KHS XCT 525 Bicycle Frame w/ X-Fusion Shox 5" Rear Travel Trail Bike New OE    US $349.99

KONA DR PINE FINE HYBRID MOUNTAIN BIKE NO RESERVE!!    US $217.50

Next Climber Mountain Bike 24"    US $45.00

2008 Marin Quad XC East Peak with Fox Float R. Quad Link Suspension    US $350.00

Salsa Mamasita 29er large    US $1,000.00

NEW 2010 GT Sanction 1.0 AM Frame - Fox DHX 5.0 Air - XS    US $799.00

Niner Air 9 XL - $2500    US $2,500.00

Mongoose Status 3.0 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels) $369.99 TADD    US $152.50

Vintage 1996 Kona Catalog Poster Hei Hot Explosif Cinder    US $.99

Trek 6700 aluminum mountain bike frame! Disc-ready. Sweet!    US $102.50

2008 Giant Anthem 0    US $1,550.00

Related posts:

1. K2 Mountain Bikes
2. Intense Mountain Bikes
3. Marin Mountain Bikes