Finding the right full suspension bike for you.

Finding the right full suspension bike for you.

Every year bicycle manufacturers make better, lighter and cheaper mountain bikes which make them more attractive to consumers. Do you want to buy a full suspension mountain bike? If you do below is a list of items that you might want to considered before buying a new mountain bike.

One of the most important questions to ask yourself is what type of terrain will you be riding on? If you are going to be riding cross country maybe a full suspension mountain bike is not warranted and a hardtail will better suit your needs. However if you are going to be riding downhill or on rough terrain a full suspension bike might be right up your alley.

Determine your budget and stick to it. Consider buying the best bike you can afford within your budget. Many riders suggest that if you have less then $700 to spend on a bike you might want to consider a hardtail because full suspension bikes are more costly. However you could consider buying a used full suspension bike at a good price on a mountain bike classifieds site.

If you determine that a full suspension mountain bike is what you need and want then consider the different frame designs. Single-pivot, sweet-spot and horst-link are a few popular designs and each has their advantages and disadvantages. The best way to truly understand the difference is to go to a few bike stores and test ride the different designs. The bike store guy will be more then happy to explain and point out the pros and cons of each design.

Remember that full suspension bikes are heavier then hardtail bikes. Full suspension frames are a little heavier and they carry more parts then hardtails so be prepared to pedal around a little more weight on the trail.

Read some of the online forums to determine what other riders like and don’t like about their bikes. You can learn a lot from other rider’s opinions.

Do not forget to factor in your maintenance costs into the equation. Full suspension bikes require a little more maintenance and for the do it yourself type you will need a few extra tools.

Finally, test ride as many bikes as you can before buying. Also do not forget to test ride a full suspension mountain bike with the front and or rear shock locked out.

See you on the trail

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13 Responses to “Finding the right full suspension bike for you.”

  1. Buying a mountain bike can seem like a big decision but you can help yourself by getting educated about the important aspects of the bike. The following six areas should be thought about before you make your next mountain bike purchase. Six Points: 1. Price 2.Frame 3.Brakes 4. Shifters 5.Tires 6. Fit Price: The best mountain bikes can cost thousands of dollars and can cost as little as several hundred dollars.

  2. There are some things that you need to consider when you buy a mountain bike. You need to learn more about mountain bikes so that you can make the best decision for you.
    Purchasing a mountain bike can be very overwhelming and can consume quite a bit of your extra time if you are not prepared.

  3. BMX bikes give good performance in racing either on road ramp or on dirt ramps. These bikes have 18 to 24 inches of wheels. The body of the bikes is made up with light material to improve the results of the bikes. There are number of bikes available in the market however, most famous bikes are mountain bikes, road bikes and BMX bikes. Yet, before going to purchase these bikes, one has to take some reviews to select the best bike.

  4. I pride myself as being a grad of Fort Knox U but now tha I have quite a good number of years behind, scanning a manual has become a bit of a habit. Sometimes, it can even be attributed to my being still here…and cycling for exercise – live life, live long!

  5. The transfer of forces to the center of the bike where the driver’s center of gravity and balance is concentrated makes a most logical strategy!

  6. After I have tried a full suspension, carbon fiber 29er, I just simply got hooked. No other specs will do!

  7. Carbon fiber frame may not be as strong as high strength aluminum therefore it is not ideal for use as frame. However, it is not as rigid therefore vibrations are kept to the bare minimum.

  8. If the following is made in China – Carbon fiber frame, full suspension 29er’s, It would definitely be much cheaper. Being made of carbon fiber it will be much lighter and not as rigid as hardtail. Also, there will be less stress on the body. Finally, speed…ah yes, speed on 29 er’s! Since the components will be made from Europe but assembled in China, it will not lose it’s designed advantages.

  9. Love those Diamond Back bikes because of their styling and durability but they can cost an arm and a leg.

  10. Love those night gear for biking…luminous stuff…envisioning bike dating with these! Turn me on babes…

  11. When the riding gets tough…the tough gets going!

  12. My bottomline is my budget, what can I buy for $1000 that I can go trail riding with and not have a hassle?

  13. A full suspension mountain bike can get you through the trees, over roots and down the hill and do most of this for you with a little help on your part.

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