| Whether you are an incredibly experienced mountain | | | | own bike and can offer useful hints and tips for |
| biker or a complete novice, choosing the right | | | | which parts may be most appropriate. In this |
| mountain bike is not an easy task. With so many | | | | category you will be moving up to the |
| companies out there competing to sell you their | | | | £600-£1200 mark in order to get hold of a |
| bikes, it can be difficult to differentiate between | | | | specialised mountain bike with high quality |
| them. However, with the more recent technological | | | | components. However, it is important to stick to a |
| advances in the way bikes are made, you are | | | | budget to ensure you don't go overboard. You should |
| assured to be getting a superb bike whichever brand | | | | aim to get the best bike for your money but |
| you choose. | | | | remember parts can be added and upgraded at a |
| If you are a newcomer to mountain biking, you | | | | later date. |
| should probably start at entry level bikes which come | | | | If you are a very well established rider who has a |
| fully set up and ready to go. If you are planning to | | | | real passion for the sport, you will be looking to buy |
| use this recreationally with the occasional off-road | | | | a professional mountain bike. There is a huge variety |
| ride, you will not be looking to spend thousands. It is | | | | of brands to choose from for example you may |
| best to sought out a bike which is sturdy, durable | | | | choose to go for a top spec Blue bike or a |
| and not overly high tech - in order to keep the cost | | | | Specialized frame with all the best components |
| down. | | | | money can buy added. |
| With mountain bikes, it is normal for people to | | | | When you are such an established rider, you will be |
| upgrade parts once they become a more established | | | | able to decipher the best parts to suit your riding |
| rider therefore, it is important to get a high quality | | | | style and obviously your budget. The parts you |
| frame on which to build. You should be aiming for a | | | | should pay the most attention to will be brakes and |
| bike around the £300 mark in order to ensure you | | | | gears, but you may find you want to upgrade your |
| are getting a high quality, purpose built bike. | | | | forks first. Obviously at these prices, it is down to |
| If you are a more established rider you will have | | | | personal preference and they way in which you use |
| started to understand more about specialised parts | | | | your bike. For example, if you are into riding |
| and higher quality brands. You may already have | | | | cross-country, you will need to look for suitable tyres |
| started to upgrade parts on your mountain bike or | | | | and more heavy duty components so as they can |
| you may be looking for a whole new bike. Brands | | | | last through the rough. |
| such as Specialized, Cannondale and Blues bikes will | | | | The best advice would be to ask the experts. |
| offer a more technical bike suitable for those who | | | | Although the shop assistants are there to sell you |
| are going to be riding down steep hills or across | | | | bikes, they are also a fountain of knowledge in which |
| rougher terrain. | | | | to learn from. You should look to ask them specific |
| You will be looking for a bike which is much lighter | | | | questions about what components to choose |
| and manoeuvrable than a basic mountain bike and | | | | depending on your riding style. You should also access |
| you may be looking to custom build it with specific | | | | information from magazines, which showcase the |
| parts. Many bike shops will assist you in building your | | | | latest technology and reviews of the best brands. |