How to choose a Mountain bike (MTB)?

 

There are many types of MTB : XC cross country, Enduro, All moutain, DH, Dirt, 29er.

 

This news article is about MTB uses such as XC/Enduro : Sport use without extreme situation!

We are looking at determine what middle range MTB can allow an evolution of your practice.

 

Price structure

Frame + Equipement + advises from the shop + Maintenance services + Warranty

“The lighter is the machine, the more expensive the purchase and services will be!”

 

Frame

A MTB ride lasts several hours. You'd better be confortable. Choose MTB that offer the best position.

Due to a medium level of practice, choose a frame that transmit all the energy to the wheels. Check the weld finitions, the quality of the frame and its waranty.

Finally, Ride a nice bike, is also enjoyable !!

 

Hard tail or fully suspended?

It depends on the budget and the comfort expected. Both systems present advantages.

You will prefer a full suspended if your practice on exposed, highly technical downhills, if you are looking for confort and of course if you have the budget! If not, take an hardtail that will be more nervous and realtively cheap!

 

Forks : Elastomer, coils or air

Prefer a coil or air fork!

The advantage of an air fork is the weight and the comfort. Please not that you can optimize your bike weight and its performances by changing forks. Before the purchase, think of the future and the possibility of the evolution of your level.

 

Transmission: To get the right gear ratio at the right time!

 

 

It is the group including chain ring, chain, cassette (cogs at the rear), and the gears shifter. Check how comfortable is your bike concerning changing gear. No test = no deal :)

Technically, the system chainrings/cassette has to be adapted to your level and the difficulty of the track! Check out our detailed page and the comparative table.

 

Brake system, V or disc brake

Disc brake offer the best braking performance though all weather conditions, e.g. no danger cycling in the mud, braking is maintained.

The maintenance on these brakes can be more complicated when you have to bleed them. Nevertheless, adjustment are rare, and changing pads is really easy!

 

SuZpa opinion:

For us, a full suspended mountain bike has to be better equipped due to its uses that supposed to be more demanding. Therefore an full suspended MTB on the medium price range woul be more expensive than a hardtail. It will also come with a better equipment. The increase of price made by better equipment is marginal compared to the final price to pay!

 

Find out more details on how to choose an MTB and the helping comparison table