Mountain Bike Guide

When considering purchase of a mountain bike the first thing we suggest is to contact us in order to help you with what should be considered, this could save you some time in the selection process and ensure the right choice is made.

Establishing your budget is a good starting point as you will or could need supporting accessories for security and safety such as cycle lock and cycle helmet if you intend to cycle outside daylight hours cycle lights are a legal requirement and if you commute you would benefit from pannier cycle bags.

A mountain bike is not alsways restricted to off road use a combination of off road and on road can be achieved with the correct selection of tyre and we can help you with this.

There are essentially three types of braking system which are, V brakes and disc brakes with two types of disc brakes, hydraulic and cable actuated. The disc brake versions are most commonly associated with off road use and the V brake can be used in both environments, of the two the disc brake has the greatest stopping power but can be difficult and more expensive to maintain that the V brake version.

The frame size you need is determined by the measurement of your inside leg particularly when choosing a mens type of frame, the general rule is that you should be clear of the top tube when straddling the cycle by approx 2 inches. 

There are three types of mountain bike, two suspension bikes, one full suspension and the other front suspension and a rigid fork version, the full suspension is suited to rough terrain and the front fork and rigid fork version can be used anywhere but bear in mind that the rigid fork whilst being more efficient provides no comfort with the front suspension providing some shock absorption.

Mountain bikes are available in three types of materials, steel, aluminium and carbon. Steel is strong but heavy, aluminium is lightweight and rustless, carbon is very light and very strong but very expensive, in general the recommendation is to choose aluminium frames for most budgets.