What’s the Right Mountain Bike for You?

If you’ve caught the mountain biking bug, you’ll be itching to buy your first set of wheels. These are the two most important factors to ensure you find your perfect match.

Determine the type of terrain you’ll be riding.

This will govern whether you need a hard tail, a bike with a suspension fork at the front, or a bike with full suspension (front and rear shock absorbers). Hard tails are best for long distance riding, where there aren’t very technical trails and will suit your needs if you want a rigid rear end to achieve better peddling efficiency and acceleration.

Find the right size.

Riding a bike that’s too big or too small for you can set you up for injuries and limit your performance. Check by standing over the bike, with your feet flat on the ground and your legs close together. There should be about 8cm between your crotch and a sloping top tube, less if it’s an old school bike. Also check if the distance from the saddle to the bars is comfortable for you.

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