Mountain Bikes Buying Guide
Way back in the 1970s, road bikes 
littered stores everywhere. Today, mountain bikes have taken their place. In fact, most major sporting good and department stores only carry mountain bikes, and road bikes have become a rare, specialized commodity. Read this guide to find out what all the hub-bub's about, and learn how to pick the best ride for you.
Full vs. Hardtail
Looking at a series of different mountain bikes, you'll notice two basic structural types. Some of the bikes (the affordable ones) will have frames with a traditional look; a triangle of bars clearly joins the saddle, rear wheel and front gears. These are commonly known as hybrids (combination road and mountain bike) or hardtails and have mass appeal for casual riding, both on-and off-road.
The other bikes, the ones with a funky design--the saddle is seemingly disconnected from the rear wheel--are full-suspension bikes. These models have increased shock absorption and are designed specifically to make riding on rough terrains more enjoyable. But while these high-end models are great for the back country, their performance on city streets and uphill climbs is severely lacking--they provide neither comfort nor agility.
Here are a few more distinctions between full and hardtail bikes that may make your decision a little easier:
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Definition: Have both suspension forks and rear shocks.
Uses: Trail riding on rough terrains over short distances; downhill riding. - Frame -- The distinctive frame is extra sturdy in order to help reduce vibrations, which makes the bike great for handling rocky, rugged terrain.
- Weight -- The tough frame weighs a lot, making it too heavy for road riding, racing or getting up hills.
- Suspension -- The suspension lets you bounce around and remain comfortable. On a regular paved road, however, the extra weight and bulk of a full-suspension bike will be cumbersome.
- Wheels -- The super wide wheels have extra knobby treads to provide great traction in the dirt and mud.
- Handlebars -- The handlebars are either straight, low-rise or high-rise, but they don't significantly lower or raise your body. Mountain bikes are meant to keep you fairly upright. This makes them perfect for trail riding, where aerodynamics are not important.
- Speeds -- Despite the high gear count (usually 24 or 27 speeds), the bulk makes it too heavy to really make uphill riding any fun. Instead, go for a sport bike if you want to tackle mountains. If you want to tackle downhill slopes, however, full-suspension is the way to go because you can get speed and great control.
- Price -- These bikes are not cheap, and this is a key reason why people stick to a hardtail bike. If you can't resist but have a budget, try checking out last year's models. The quality is just as good, and they'll cost significantly less.
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Front-Suspension Hardtails and Hybrids
Definition: Have a fixed rear triangle frame (the classic look) and no rear suspension.
Uses: Both dirt and road riding; casual and sport riding. - Frame -- The frame is heavy with no rear shocks. It's not great for distance riding or racing, but perfect for leisurely riding.
- Weight -- These are still sturdy and durable bikes, but less heavy than full-suspension, making it easier to pedal on smooth, flat surfaces.
- Wheels -- The slim tyres are better for fine, packed dirt or paved roads where they won't create much drag. The knobs still help provide grip and friction on less than smooth surfaces.
- Handlebars -- If you aren't worried about speed, the handlebars won't be a problem. You can choose straight, raised or dropped bars depending on what feels best. If speed is an issue, however, stick to the dropped handlebar style found on road bikes.
- Speeds -- Lots of gears make these bikes versatile for riding on medium- or small-size hills.
- Price -- As mentioned above, front-suspension and hybrid bikes are cheaper than full-suspension models. And the cost savings aren't just up front: A hardtail bike won't require as much maintenance as a full-suspension bike in the long run.
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Other Factors
- Frame Materials -- As with road bikes, stiffness, lightness and strength are favourable in frames. You might not expect anyone to want a stiff bike on rough terrains, but the shocks take care of comfort on full-suspension bikes, leaving the frame to deal with performance instead of wasting energy on flex (the amount the bike gives).
- Size -- Standing over the crossbar, you should have several centimetres of clearance between your crotch and the bar. For city riding, you don't need as much room.
- Brakes: It's not feasible to change from one brake system to another once it's installed, so know what type of brake you want before the purchase.
- Disc: A metal disc is attached to the wheel hub, rotates with it and, when applied, presses against the wheel to slow it.
- Pro: Reliable, effective in all conditions (even in muddy or wet terrain), easy to apply.
- Con: Heavier, expensive.
- Rim: Friction pads, when applied, slow the bike by slamming against the rim of the wheel.
- Pro: Light, inexpensive.
- Con: Performance varies by terrain and type of riding (not good in mud or water); wears down quickly.
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NL: Mountain Bikes Shopgids
