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Best regards from ReviewBox! When riding a bike on the streets of your neighbourhood or city is no longer enough for you and you want to experience another kind of thrill, you’ll love mountain biking. No matter if you’re an amateur or a pro, you’ll surely want to know all about them and which ones are the best, we’ll help you.
Can you imagine touring mountains, riding on trails and experiencing natural environments on your bike? There’s no better way to do it than with a high quality bike. The mountain bike market is full of brands and models, but we have for you the best options and the ultimate guide to mountain bikes.
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Contents
The most important things first
- Mountain bikes are vehicles used to get off the road and ride over uneven terrain. This type of cycling is an extreme sport that consists of going down or up hills, and overcoming obstacles in natural conditions, such as those of a forest. These bikes are more durable than conventional bikes.
- There are three types of mountain bikes, each with different qualities, resulting in superior performance. You can buy rigid, semi-rigid and full suspension bikes, with us you will find out what each of these are for.
- To buy the best mountain bike you should take into account several purchasing factors. Below you will see criteria such as the materials of manufacture, the use you can give to mountain bikes, the dimensions of the wheel and other factors such as appearance and comfort.
The Best mountain Bike: Our Picks
Buying Guide
How much or little do you know about mountain bikes? It doesn’t matter, with this buying guide you’ll learn things you didn’t know about. Knowing every detail about this vehicle allows you to make your next purchase the best one, as no one will be able to fool you, let alone choose a bad product.
What are mountain bikes and what are their advantages?
The bicycle is no longer just a vehicle for transport or a ride in the city, it has become a tool for enjoyment with a much more adventurous, and therefore exciting, experience. Mountain biking attracts both professionals and amateurs, who are looking for new trails.
Rigid, semi-rigid or full suspension mountain bikes – what should you look out for?
Rigid. Rigid bikes do not have a large suspension, the frame is rigid and so is the fork. They’re great if you’re someone who wants to ride uphill or gain speed on smooth trails or trails with few obstacles. They are less heavy than other bikes and also require less maintenance.
Semi-rigid. If you’d rather give up speed on flat trails in exchange for great downhill control, you can buy a semi-rigid mountain bike. This has a rigid frame but only one suspension – the front suspension – making it ideal for downhill riding. Its wheels are tough.
Do you want to become an expert at jumping, stepping and dodging all kinds of natural obstacles? You will need double suspension mountain bikes. They have a comfortable seat and a double suspension system that cushions all kinds of bumps. They are stable and very manoeuvrable.
| Stiff | Semi-stiff | Double suspension | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses | Tricks, speed and climbing | Downhill, front tricks | Downhill, long routes, jumps, obstacle courses |
| Price | Medium | Medium | High |
Buying criteria: factors that allow you to compare and rate mountain bike models
Not sure how to choose the best mountain bike from so many models? With the following buying criteria you will get a glimpse of why one product is better than another, in this case why this bike is better than the other. Not only will you make a better purchase, you will also become much more knowledgeable on the subject.
- Uses
- Wheel (rim) dimensions
- Materials of construction
- Other factors: appearance and comfort
Uses
Before buying mountain bikes you should know what you want to use them for, because mountain biking is not just about riding a bike in a forest, there are many different types of bikes that can be used to improve your performance in one thing or another. Here you will find out what you can use each one for.
Cross Country. If you want a bike for racing or cross-country racing you can opt for one that is rigid or semi-rigid. While the former has no suspension, they will give you great speed over small obstacles, while the latter will give you more control for less speed.
Downhill. To ride downhill over small obstacles and uneven sections you will need a bike that gives you both stability and control. Dual suspension bikes are ideal for this, although you could also choose a semi-rigid mountain bike with front suspension.
Uphill. For hill climbs you need mountain bikes that allow you to do this without leaving your legs on the pedals. The right ones for this are the rigid ones, where you sacrifice suspension for more traction and climbing power. In addition, they are usually lighter, so the weight will work in your favour.
Enduro. This type of competition or type of mountain biking requires the effort of all the previous disciplines. To participate in Enduro you will need a bike with a strong frame, superior control and great suspension. Which bike can you choose? A full suspension bike.
Wheel (rim) dimensions
Another important purchasing factor is the size or dimensions of the wheels of the bike you are about to buy, as these guarantee different qualities. There are three types of wheels, 26-inch, 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheels, and we’ll explain below how each one influences the performance of the bike.
26 inch. If you are looking for more control on your mountain bikes you should get 26 inch wheels. These give you better performance in narrow areas and in curves. So if your activity requires balance, jumps and narrow routes, you should definitely buy one with these wheels.
27.5 inch. This is a somewhat forgotten tyre profile but it delivers impressive performance, giving you speed, control and grip on all types of surfaces. If you like the feel of trial/enduro, you should definitely buy wheels with these dimensions, you won’t regret it.
29 inches. Better downhill or uphill, the size and weight of these wheels give you superior performance in Cross Country, Downhill and Uphill. However, the same weight makes manoeuvring in complex, narrow places and jumping a tricky and quite strenuous task.
Materials of construction
The materials of manufacture, in the case of mountain bikes, not only influence the durability of the bikes, but also the weight and therefore the performance they can give. We will show you which are the most used and why it is convenient to acquire a bicycle of one or the other, making it an important factor.
Steel. There are two types of steel from which mountain bike frames are made. The first is high-strength carbon steel, a strong material. While the lighter option is chromoly steel. With steel, bikes can weigh 14 to 18 kilos.
Titanium. Fatigue resistant and much lighter than steel, titanium entered the bicycle frame market as a trendsetter. It provides excellent balance to bicycles and is non-corrosive. With titanium, bicycles can weigh 13 to 16 kilos.
Aluminium. This is the material used in high-end mountain bikes. This material is very light and more resistant in relation to its weight than all the materials used to manufacture bicycle frames, which makes it the most expensive.
Carbon fibre. The lightest or lightest material of all, so much so that these bicycles can weigh from 1 to 3 kg. Compared to steel there is an incredible difference. If there is one thing to complain about carbon fibre, it is that it is so flimsy that it can break easily.
Other factors: appearance and comfort
These are not factors that directly determine the performance of mountain bikes, but they certainly provide a better experience. An important part of a new purchase is satisfying the needs and tastes of the user, so if it is possible to give the best, even in small details, it is important.
Appearance. You have to admit how good bikes can look, whether they are mountain bikes or not. Be it with a different frame design, the colour of the frame or the different components it has. Appearance in no way influences performance, but ultimately it makes us happy to see something with so much personality.
Comfort. Jumping, jumping, climbing, descending or simply riding on trails on a mountain bike can be very tiring. To reduce fatigue it is good to have a comfortable vehicle, this is provided by aspects such as the grips, the seat and even the size of the bike itself.
Take a look at the various models and choose the bike you like best. Either because you are completely attracted to the look of the bike or because you feel comfortable riding it. By following our advice and taking all factors into account, you are sure to make the best possible purchase.
(Featured image photo: freepik /freepik.co.uk)
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