Choosing the Right Bike
- Wild Dirt
- Nov 8, 2021
- 3 min read
Choosing the right bike for you can be a challenging process. There are different wheel sizes, frame styles, and riding styles that can affect what kind of bike you need. Getting the right bike can affect your experience on the trails and should be considered with care. Unless you know what you’re looking for, the bike market can be a tangled mess of Enduro, Cross Country, Trail, and Downhill bikes that can be difficult to sort through. Here are some aspects to help you in choosing your bike.
Budget
To begin, set a clear budget, and make it firm. Do some research on what parts you’d like to include; this could be air suspension, a 1x drivetrain, or a dropper post, to mention a few. Other things you also need to include in your budget are proper gear. Consider what gear you want, such as shoes, riding gloves, a helmet, and a hydration backpack. All of these should be in your budget along with the bike.
Ride Style
Secondly, know what bike you need. For this, either research the trails you’ll be riding or contact your local bike shop. Looking at what other people ride is a great way to see the features that are important to you. If the trails are mostly flat without many technical features, you may want to look at a cross country bike or a hardtail. If the features are large, or if there are more jumps and drops, you should consider the range of travel. On a mountain bike, your front fork supports the wheel and can compress to dampen shock when riding. A good range of travel is around 140-160mm of travel. If you’re in an area riding lift-served downhill trails, you should then consider a downhill bike with 200mm of travel and a double-crown fork. If you want a mix of all of these options, then get a 160-170mm of travel bike to handle a variety of trail options.
Photos by Flo Maderebner, Pixabay, Flo Maderebner, Hessel Geriet
Wheel Size
Another thing to consider is tire size. While 2in was the old standard, tires are getting bigger with the introduction of 27.5in and 29in tires. 29in tires can roll faster and conquer bigger obstacles easier than the smaller 27.5in and 26in tires, but they are also heavier. I think a 27.5in tire is well balanced option. If you are unsure, try to demo a bike to learn what you want.
Brands
Choosing which bike brand to pick is a hotly debated topic amongst riders. Consider what brands your local shop is a dealer of, as they can get parts for that specific bike easier. You should also ask your local bike shop (LBS) for their thoughts as well as local riders you meet at the trailhead.
Buy Used
Finally, buying used is a great idea; it’s a great way to get a nice ride, and the price could be close to a third of the MSRP. Facebook Marketplace, Pinkbike, Craigslist, and eBay are all great places to find your next bike. I suggest you see the bike in person before you buy it, and make sure to ask plenty of questions before and while there: “When was the bike last serviced?” “How old are the tires?” “Are you the first owner?” All of these are great questions to ask when looking at a bike.
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Photos by Markus Spiske, PexelsDaniel Frank, PexelsDaniel Frank, and Irene Lasus
By simplifying the process, we hope that you find a great mountain bike and hit the trails soon.
