Choosing the right mountain bike can be a confusing experience. If you're a beginner who only does weekend trail riding, you probably don't need more than a basic model, such as a mountain bike with a an aluminum full-suspension frame. If you plan on doing tricks or attempting more difficult terrain, then you need to look into frames, seat angle positions and other options.
Step 1
Figure out how much you can spend before anything else. Mountain bikes can cost anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars for a basic bike to over $2,000 for an advanced model like the GT Force Carbon Expert Mountain Bike. Features such as full-suspension frames, Shimano-brand hydraulic disc brakes and rear shock suspension will increase the value considerably. If you're looking for certain features or specs, you'll need to give yourself a higher budget.
Step 2
Look at the frame options. If price is no object, choose a carbon frame, which is lighter and has less vibration than a standard frame but usually only comes in a bike that costs $1,000 or more. Aluminum frames are the cheapest options. High-tensile steel is a steel alloy also found in lower-priced bikes. Chromoly steel and titanium are on the expensive side because they have great durability, especially if you do a lot of extreme biking in tough terrain or down a mountain.
Step 3
Try different suspension options. Although all mountain bikes have front suspension, the cheaper models might not have rear suspension. The longer the suspension travel -- the length of movement of the wheel axle -- in inches, the more abuse the bikes can take when it comes to big jumps, landing on tough terrain and stunts. Cross-country mountain bikes have the shortest travel time at less than four inches. Downhill bikes have the longest travel time with up to 10 inches.
Step 4
Choose a bike that fits the type of mountain biking you do. Cross-country mountain bikes are for terrain that's mostly flat, with small hills or off-terrain tracks. Trail bikes are for more difficult terrain but also good for long rides, for they're not heavy. Downhill bikes are the other extreme -- they're not effective for uphill biking because they're heavy and difficult to maneuver. But they'll handle rocky trails well and are good for big drops and fast downhill speeds.
Step 5
Choose the right size. The specs manual that comes with the bike should indicate the degree angle of the seat and the head of the bike. The medium size is around 71 to 73 degrees in angle for both of these. If you choose a smaller degree angle, you'll get more stability but at the cost of speed and reaction time. This is different than frame size. Rather than going by inch size, the Albury Wodonga Mountain Bikers Organization recommends trying out the bikes to see which one fits better. When you're on the bike, you should be able to extend your legs almost completely without locking your knees when pedaling.
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