Mountain Bike Shifter
Help Buying A Hardtail Mountain Bike
There are different types of mountain bikes on the market that suit various types of riding styles. Full suspension bikes are equipped with a front shock and rear shock integrated into the frame. Hardtail bikes do not have a rear shock however the majority of bikes nowadays come with a front shock in the fork. The decision to buy a full suspension or hardtail bikes depends on your type of riding terrain. Some riders suggest that the more technical the trail the more a hardtail mountain bike is desired.
Trail riding and racing is the perfect match for a hardtail mountain bike. Hardtail mountain bikes are lighter, cheaper and require less maintenance because there are no pivots when compared to a full suspension bike.
Researching which hardtail bike to purchase can be daunting for a first time buyer. Not knowing each brands product line and not knowing the difference in quality of components can be frustrating. To help with this process keep the following suggestions and questions in mind when deciding which hardtail mountain bike to purchase.
-
Shop for your hardtail mountain bike at a reputable bike store. Do not buy your bike at Walmart or Target because odds are you will not find the service and quality that you desire. Bike shops have good selections of mountain bikes for sale and bike parts. At a bike shop one will be able to find quality products and expertise that one can count on.
-
Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails in the woods as a recreational rider or are you going to be traveling and racing? Be honest with yourself.
-
Determine your budget and stick to it. Mountain bikes can be very expensive and you want to make sure that you buy the best bike within your budget. You might feel very excited when you see all of the bikes for sale at the store so keep your goals in perspective.
-
Purchase a bike that has a quality frame made out of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber or titanium.
-
Determine if you want a drive train that has 21 or 27 speeds. Many riders prefer a 27 speed for the extra gears. Upgrading from a 21 speed to a 27 speed in the future could be a hassle and more costly then paying for it up front.
-
Learn some of the basics about front suspension forks. A suspension fork will help improve the comfort and control of your mountain bike on the trail. There are several manufactures that have proven quality products so research them before you buy your bike.
-
Try to buy a bike with brand name components. These components do not have to be top of the line however just make sure they are a familiar brand. Some brands are not interchangeable; meaning brand Y derailleur does not work with brand X shifters. If you buy a bike with a no name component and it breaks it could be hard to find the needed replacement part.
-
Make sure the tires are appropriate for the terrain that you want to ride on. As an example if you are buying a cross country bike then make sure that it has a good cross country tire.
Talk to your friends and read online forums. Also make sure you test ride as many bikes as you can. Shop around and have fun.
See you on the trail.
About the Author
Experience with full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.
bikes for sale
mountain bike classifieds
Mountain Biking for Tips, Techniques & Etiquette : How to Shift & Turn a Mountain Bike
|
|
Shimano SM-SH56 SPD Cleat Set $15.75 Shimano SPD Clipless Cleats…. |
|
|
Shimano SH51 SPD Cleat Set $13.94 M858 pedals are only compatible with SH52 cleats. M-R is multi release, S-R is single release…. |
|
|
Shimano PD-M540 SPD Pedal $89.95 Formed from herculean alloy, the lightweight dual platform Shimano PD-M540 MTB SPD Mountain Bike Pedal features adjustable entry and release tension settings so you can fine-tune your pen binders for safe, screaming downhill runs. The chrome-moly spindle and low maintenance sealed bearing cartridge axle deliver velvety smooth performance, while exceptional mud and debris shedding abilities keep th… |
|
|
Lombardo Men’s Alverstone 270 Mountain Bike $369.99 The Lombardo Alverstone 270 is an excellent choice for mountain bikers looking for a smoother ride. Faster tires, a light alloy frame and Shimano Revo shifters combine to create a less aggressive trail experience. |
|
|
Garmin Bike Mount for Edge $13.5 Garmin Bike Mount for Edge |
|
|
Klean Kanteen Bike Cage (27oz) $6.4 Klean Kanteen Bike Cage (27oz) |
|
|
Mountain Bike Maintenance $14.48 Mountain Bike Maintenance : Maintaining And Repairing the Mountain Bike by Rob Van Der Plas Published in 2006 by Cycle Publishing |
|
|
Mountain Bike Emergency Repair $3.48 Mountain Bike Emergency Repair by Tim Toyoshima Published in 1995 by Mountaineers Books |
|
|
Mountain Bike Adventures in Washington’s South Cascades and Olympics (Mountain Bike Adventures) $3.98 Mountain Bike Adventures in Washington’s South Cascades and Olympics (Mountain Bike Adventures) by Tom Kirkendall Published in 1989 by Mountaineers Books |
|
|
Mountain Bike Adventures in Washington’s North Cascades and Olympics (Mountain Bike Adventures) $3.98 Mountain Bike Adventures in Washington’s North Cascades and Olympics (Mountain Bike Adventures) by Tom Kirkendall Published in 1989 by Mountaineers Books |
|
|
Shape-Shifter $9.48 Deep in a mountain cave a witch is plotting mischief: "We need something small, something sly, to carry a spell . . . and then we shall see who reigns on the Black Mountain!" The kitten Shape-Shifter is her victim. But before the charm is complete, the kitten escapes. He flees, in a terrifying chase, caught in a spell gone wrong and a shape that he cannot control. He brings disaster even to those who want to help him. Is there another power that can break the spell? |
|
|
Mountain Bike! Southwest Washington $14.98 Mountain Bike! Southwest Washington : A Guide to Trails and Adventure by John Zilly Published in 2002 by Sasquatch Books |
|
|
Mountain Bike! Texas & Oklahoma $3.98 Mountain Bike! Texas & Oklahoma by Chuck Cypert 1st Published in 1996 by Menasha Ridge Press |
|
|
Deuter Ultra Bike $49.97 This is the perfect child sized performance pack with adult functions so that little bikers can be part of the group. |
|
|
CamelBak Women’s L.U.X.E. $89.9 The premier mountain bike hydration system designed for women |
|
|
The Mountain Bike Experience $3.98 The Mountain Bike Experience : A Complete Introduction to the Joys of Off-Road Riding by Dave King, and Michael Kaminer 1st ed Published in 1996 by Holt Paperbacks |
|
|
Mountain Bike Indiana $3.48 Describes 32 of the state’s greatest legal mountain bike rides, from the smoking dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan to southern Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest. |
|
|
The Ultimate Mountain Bike Book $29.98 The Ultimate Mountain Bike Book : The Definitive Illustrated Guide to Bikes, Components, Techniques, Thrills and Trails by Nicky Crowther Published in 2003 by Topeka Bindery |
|
|
Mountain Bike America $14.98 Describes 32 of the state’s greatest legal mountain bike rides, from the smoking dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan to southern Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest. |
|
|
Mountain Hardwear Fluid 18 Backpack $89.9 The Fluid 18 Backpack Sleek and compact is a technical daypack that is ideal for long bike rides or fast trail scrambles. |
|
|
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills $17.98 Increase your speed, control, and versatility on the bike. Mastering Mountain Bike Skills provides detailed technical instruction for all mountain biking disciplines: Cross-country Downhill Mountain cross Free riding Dirt jumping Urban terrain With top pro mountain biker Brian Lopes as your teacher, you?ll learn how to handle the bike better than ever, in any conditions, across all types of terrain. Key tips and special photo sequences throughout the book add insight to Lopes? world-class instruction. |
|
|
Mountain Bike Washington-Baltimore $3.98 Mountain Bike Washington-Baltimore : An Atlas of the Washington-Baltimore Area’s Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides by Martin Fernandez Edition 2 Published in 1997 by Beachway Pr |
|
|
Group Mountain Bike Outing $336 Envision it now, an epic mountain biking adventure with your friends or family! Whether you want to learn how to mountain bike or need some pointers and directions to progress your skills, this experience will bring you what you need.After meeting up at the shop and chatting with your instructor about what your experience and daily goals are, you?ll peddle off to some great terrain in the Ohiopyle area. Work your legs, stay balanced and play in the woods with your mountain bike posse, tearing up the hillside. The group will receive pointers on safe biking, handling and terrain assessment along with individual talks that will cater towards each rider?s personal level. Once the day has embedded fun memories in the brain and the legs are filled with stories of their own, peddle back to relax and swap stories of the group mountain bike day you and your friends just enjoyed. |
|
|
The Mountain Bike Repair Handbook $3.48 In previous books like The Complete Mountain Biker, Dennis Coello won legions of fans for his common-sense approach to the intricacies of cycling. In The Mountain Bike Repair Handbook, Coello transforms the complexities of mountain bike repair into simple, step-by-step stages that even the most nonmechanical cyclist can easily understand. Mountain bikes have unique frames, brakes, wheels, and other components, and they bang their way over rough territory – which makes for specialized repair requirements. Using over 100 photographs and diagrams, The Mountain Bike Repair Handbook steers the mountain biker through the most common repairs to the main segments of the mountain bike: wheels, derailleurs, brakes, chains, handlebars, and much more. In tandem with two highly experienced mechanics who served as advisors on this book, Coello presents an extremely levelheaded and thorough guide to repairing the most popular form of bicycle today. This updated and revised edition contains up-to-date information on suspension forks and the latest shifting systems. (6 X 9, 160 pages, b&w photos, diagrams, charts) |
|
|
San Diego Mountain Bike Guide $11.98 San Diego Mountain Bike Guide by Daniel Greenstadt 1st ed Published in 1997 by Sunbelt Publications |
|
|
CamelBak M.U.L.E. NV $109.97 The M.U.L.E NV by Camelbak is an elite version of the MULE mountain bike pack. |
|
|
VAS Entertainment Mountain Bike DVD – The Collective $24.95 Check out this action packed Mountain Bike DVD, ‘The Collective’. |
|
|
VAS Entertainment Mountain Bike DVD – The Cut Sevenvision $26.95 Check out this action packed Mountain Bike DVD, ‘The Cut Sevenvision’. |
|
|
VAS Entertainment Mountain Bike DVD – F1Rst $27.95 Check out this action packed Mountain Bike DVD, ‘F1Rst’. |