Becoming a Mountain Biker
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2. What kind of a bike?
Where do you want to ride? Answer this question first.
If you want macadam easy rides, then buy a trekking bike
instead of a mountain bike. But do not get yourself an
off-road bike, if you are going to have mainly asphalt
rides! There are different bikes for that purpose, with
narrow tires and without any suspension. But for
off-road riding, thick and wide tires are a must and
provide ultimate traction and thus safety.
If you want light bike, then forget
freeride bikes. If you like free fall velocity, then
forget about XC bikes. And if you don't know yet,
then you'd better wait and get a test ride (ask your
friends, local bike shop, rent a bike in a tourist
resort,
etc.). The same goes for a dilemma whether to choose a
full suspended bike or a hardtail. But more about this
later.
When you are already determined about the type, then you've got to choose the brand. It is best to
stick to renowned brand names. These are the ones that
you see at your local bike shops, specializing in
mountain biking. You can also buy an MTB magazine or two
and read the reviews. Do not ignore the Internet, which
can be your ultimate source (see Links).
You can soon have a few brand names and models chosen.
Then all you have to do is visit bike shops and other
possible sources.
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