Much of the time, you get what you pay for when it comes to mountain bikes. While buying the best bike you can afford is a good idea, figuring out which top of the line mountain bike really is a good buy can be harder. In general, it’s best to look at the quality of the components, and the way the bike fits you and the way you ride to decide on the right model.
At base, a mountain bike is a bicycle with a sturdy frame, wider tires with large treads, horizontal handlebars, and gearing. They offer better traction and stability off road than a street bike’s narrow tires and lightweight frame can. While these bikes are called mountain bikes, that’s not all they’re for. They can also be ridden on trails with gravel or no surfacing, and cross country. They’re even good for city streets that have uneven or broken paving. Just watch out for roots and large rocks. Choose a mountain bike for any application where you’ll need strength and stability. If you do most of your cycling on flat areas with smooth pavement, these bikes are probably heavier than you’re looking for.
Mountain Bike Construction and Materials
Top of the line mountain bikes will offer quality construction, as well as using good materials. While many manufacturers will try to sell you components and frames bases solely on the materials that make them up, don’t be fooled. It’s possible to make a bad bike frame from titanium, just as it’s possible to make a good one from steel or aluminum. While prestigious materials certainly command a higher price tag, quality of manufacture is more important, whether you’re buying a frame, some gears, or new wheels. Look for bikes with good suspension and higher quality disc brakes, instead of rim brakes like the ones on road bikes.
Mountain Bike Frames and Suspension
Lighter frames mean there’s less for you to have to pull up steep slopes. In some materials, however, lightweight frames and wheels also mean that you sacrifice strength. They also require a certain loss of stability. That’s why mountain bikes are generally heavier built than road bikes. Good suspension can reduce the “whippiness” that sometimes occurs with lighter materials like aluminum and titanium. High end mountain bikes are available with front only or both front and rear suspension. When you choose your bike, be sure to try it out to make sure that you have the right fit, and that the weight feels good to you. If you decide you want to have a bike put together elsewhere, such as an online order, make certain you know exactly what you’re getting, in terms of frame size, weight, and materials.
Tags:
bicycle,
bike frames,
bike gears,
Mountain Bikes
Related posts
February 10 2008 | Mountain Bikes | 2 Comments »
If you enjoy cycling on the road, but don’t have the right bike, or feel it’s time to upgrade, there are a few things you should know. It’s important to remember that you usually get what you pay for, but you should also balance quality with your budget. If you don’t ride as often, a less expensive bike may be adequate. It all depends on the level you’re riding at, and how frequently you’re planning to use your bike.
Start with a quality frame. You can find out who makes your bike’s frame and what materials have gone into it by looking for a decal on the downtube or seat tube. They’ll contain this information. If you can’t find this decal, talk to someone at the bicycle retailer who can tell you a little more about the frame you’re thinking of buying.
Materials include steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Steel is a durable and traditional, but often heavy frame material. Aluminum is rust-free, the lightest of all frame materials, and known for its “lively” ride. Downsides include poor shock absorption in cheap frames, and lower durability than steel. Titanium frames are light and strong, but they carry a correspondingly high price tag. Carbon fiber frames, which might also be called graphite or carbon frames, are made of a carbon and resin material. They’re light, durable, and stiff. The biggest advantage of this nonmetallic material is that it can easily be manipulated into different, highly efficient shapes. It’s also noncorrosive. However, these frames are quite expensive. Many people choose carbon forks and a frame of a different material.
You’ll also have to decide on the type of gearing you want for your road bike. How many you need will depending on where you ride and how. Fit people who bike in flatter areas will be fine with eight to ten rear cogs and a double chain ring. However, if you’re hilly and trying to get into better shape, go with a triple chain ring – the riding will be a lot easier.
A good road bike also needs good wheels and tires. While you used to get a standard wheel with any bike, you now have more options. Lower weight wheels, for instance, give you better acceleration, climbing ability, and handling. For those who’d like their bike to not only be practical, but look great, fancy wheels can be gotten. You can even choose aerodynamic rims. Just make sure you get a wheel and tire type that fit your riding style, and remember that dropping weight in your wheels makes it easy to ride. However, superlight wheels also come with a higher price tag – important for those on a budget.
In the end, getting the right fit for your body and riding style is a lot more important than the price or the technology that goes into your bike. Avoid deals that sound too good – they’re usually achieved by cutting quality. Pick out the features that go best with your needs, then look at the price, and cut things down little by little if you need to. If you pay attention to how you ride, you’ll be sure to get a road bike that’s right for you.
Tags:
bicycle,
bike frames,
bike gears,
carbon fiber bike frame,
road bike,
titanium bike frame
Related posts
February 08 2008 | Road Bikes | No Comments »