Mountain bikes are designed for difficult terrain. There are many kinds of mountain bike brands, but buying a bike should not be just a choice, especially if you only look at the price and model.
There are a number of things that need to be considered before buying a mountain bike so that the bike you buy will really suit your needs. The most important thing is that the bike you buy is comfortable to use and you don’t regret buying it.
For those who are planning to buy a mountain bike, here are some ways and tips for choosing a mountain bike that is suitable for your needs.
1. Acknowledging Mountain Bike Brands
The first thing that needs to be done is to gather information about mountain bike brands or brands that are popular in the market. We can collect information about bike prices, bike quality, bike durability, and so on.
The first step is to check the quality of local mountain bike brands. After that, look at imported mountain bike brands. This is an act to participate in developing local products.
By collecting this information, the insight about mountain bikes will be more open so that you can decide which bike brand is right to accompany your riding.
2. Choosing the Right Frame Size
This is very important in comfort when cycling. The size of the bike that is not quite right will certainly make it uncomfortable or will even result in minor injuries because the body proportions do not match the size of the bike used.
So to find the right size mountain bike frame, we need to measure the height and adjust it to the size of the bike frame that we want to buy.
Each mountain bike brand has its own frame size which is usually presented in a size chart. This size chart can be found in the specifications of each bike brand as well as in the bike catalog to be purchased. Measures that need to be considered are the distance between the saddle and handlebars and the distance between the saddle and the bike pedals.
This size is then adjusted to the height and inseam length obtained from the toe to the crotch. If you want to be more accurate, you can just hop on and try the bike you want to buy.
3. Bike Frame Type
Apart from the size of the frame, the type of bike frame also needs to be considered. The standard type of frame that is now used is made of alloy or aluminum alloy. It is possible that there are types of mountain bikes that use different types of frames according to their specifications.
The type of bike frame can be checked in the catalog of the bike to be purchased and it is best to check the quality of the frame. Usually, the better and more durable a type of frame is, the more expensive the bike will be.
4. Bike Contact Point
The contact points referred to here are the three points of the components of bicycles that are in direct contact with the body of the bike user. The three points are handlebars, saddles, and bike pedals. The handlebars serve as the control center of the bike, making sure they are within the width of the shoulders.
The choice of saddle depends on individual tastes, but make sure it is comfortable to use on a bike mileage that is near or far. Likewise for bike pedal selection, adjust it to your individual taste, but consider a pedal with a good level of bike pedalling efficiency.
5. The Right Bike Tire-Wheel
Generally, there are 3 standard sizes of mountain bike wheels, which are 26, 27.5, and 29 inches. However, the size of 27.5 is a popular wheel size because the average size is in accordance with the height of the general public and many manufacturers produce tire-wheel frames of this size.
In addition to the diameter of the tire-wheel, the width of the bike tire-wheel also needs to be considered. Wide bike tire-wheels can make it easier to access steep roads and make it easier to dive. However, the wheels with a wide size will make the bike heavier when traveling on asphalt roads.
A wide type of wheel can also make a lot of dirt or mud stick to the wheel, which can affect the speed of the bike. For mountain bikes that will be used for asphalt roads, you should choose wheels that are not too wide.
Thin and thick wheels also need to be considered. The thin wheels allow us to maneuver freely when cycling because they are easy to turn and light. However, it will be easily damaged or bent when traveling on rocky terrain.
Thick wheels withstand rocky terrain but will make the bike weigh more so it’s not too easy to move. For that, take the points mentioned above into consideration in choosing the right tire-wheel.
6. Availability of Spare Parts
This also needs to be considered before buying a mountain bike so that you don’t bother in the future if the bike is having problems. If the mountain bike you are going to buy has spare parts that are rarely found, it is better to choose another model.
Choose a mountain bike with lots of spare parts on the market so that the bike purchased will be easily repaired when trouble occurs later.
7. Consider the Budget
Budget is a consideration that should not be taken lightly. Estimate how much the bike you want to buy with your current budget. Bikes with the ideal and best specifications certainly have an expensive price, but you also need to look at other needs, so that the price does not exceed the predetermined budget.
For those who are beginners and are new to cycling, you can choose a standard bike price. After feeling that you need an upgrade, you can buy one with even higher specifications. You can also choose to save first, then immediately buy a mountain bike with the best specifications.
The tips above can be applied when buying a mountain bike. Make sure you don’t choose the wrong mountain bike so you can enjoy riding. Ask a friend for advice who has first been involved in the hobby of cycling so that they can better consider which mountain bike is suitable.