What to Look for in a Mountain Bike

Although cycling dates back centuries, specialist mountain bike production has moved forwards considerably over the past 35 years. The core of any bike is the frame and this is an area that has been subjected to some of the biggest changes to ensure it is fit for purpose.

Major changes in bikes component production make riding more pleasurable than ever. So you can take on more demanding terrain, harder rides and thanks to the advancement in safety equipment take on much more dangerous descents.

Gears
Take as much of the strain away from your legs with up to 27 gears on many mountain bikes.

Suspension
A good quality suspension system is invaluable when off road biking at speed. Front suspension is a must and comes as standard on most decent mountain bikes. A full suspension bike provides greater control, comfort and agility when the ground is bumpy and rocky – but probably isn’t needed if you only plan to cycle on light tracks.

Frames
Your bike is literally built around the frame and as your bikes gets put through its paces, so does your frame. Your frame must be able to take the increased demands so stronger materials are used along with new styles and designs. Your bikes frame has of course got to be strong but at the same time must be light weight for maximum performance.

Brakes
Today, disc brakes are commonplace on nearly all mountain bikes. Positioned near the wheels rim they are well away from the tyre and the mud, so are less likely to become clogged up making them more responsive even in the muddiest conditions.

Tyres
Road bike tyres are very smooth and slim when compared to big, thick mountain bike tyres. This gives extra grip on muddy ground, better shock absorption and makes it easier to get over rough terrain at speed. Different tyre profiles are available depending on the conditions you are likely to encounter.

Women-Specific
Women’s requirements are catered for by specialist ladies bikes. With smaller frame sizes, reduced reach at key points and more comfortable saddles these bikes are much easier for women to ride. We recommend testing a number of ladies bikes from different manufacturers before making the decision to buy as many will have subtle differences.