Attributes of Top-of-the-Line Mountain Bikes

Much of the time, you get what you pay for when it comes to mountain bikes. Figuring out which top of the line mountain bike really is a good buy can be quite hard, even if owning the best bike you can afford is a good idea. To decide on the right model, in most cases, it is best to look at the quality of the components, and the way the bike fits you and the way you ride.

At base, a mountain bike is a bicycle with a rugged frame, wide tires with large treads, horizontal handlebars, and gearing. Off road, they offer more effective traction and stability than a street bike’s narrow tires and lightweight frame can. But that’s not all they’re for, even though these bikes are called mountain bikes. They can also be ridden cross country, or on trails with no surfacing or with gravel. They’re also good for city streets that have uneven or broken paving. Just watch out for roots and large rocks. For any application where you’ll need toughness and stability, select a mountain bike. These bikes are probably heavier than you’re looking for, if you do most of your cycling on flat areas with smooth pavement.

Look for High Quality Build

Top of the line mountain bikes will offer quality construction, as well as using good materials. Don’t be fooled, even if many manufacturers will try to sell you frames and components based solely on the materials that make them up. Just as it is possible to make a good bike frame from steel or aluminum, it is possible to make a bad one using titanium. Whether you’re buying a frame, some gears, or new wheels, quality of manufacture is more important, even though prestigious materials certainly cost a lot more. Instead of rim brakes like the ones on road bikes, look for bikes with higher quality disc brakes and good suspension.

Light-weight Frames are In

Lighter frames mean there is less for you to pull up steep slopes. In some materials, however, lightweight frames and wheels also mean that you sacrifice toughness. They also require a certain loss of stability. Mountain bikes are usually more heavily built than road bikes, for these reasons. Composite materials like Kevlar (the same material used for bulletproof vests) and carbon fiber are the newest and hottest composites used to make trail bicycle frames. Because they are intensely light-weight and very robust, these materials are also made use of for other parts of the bike. However, it is extremely difficult to fix bike frames made from Kevlar and carbon fiber when they are damaged.

Combining the light weight of carbon fiber with strength that may surpass that of the toughest steel alloy frames, titanium is the best and most costly material for bike frames. It’s also the most rust-resistant material for mountain bike frames. Expectedly, all these benefits come with an astronomical price tag.

Good Suspension is a Must

Good suspension can reduce the “whippiness” you sometimes encounter with lighter materials like aluminum and titanium. Front only or both front and rear supension are available on top end mountain bikes. Be sure to try it out to make sure that you have the right fit, and that the weight feels good, when you select your bike. Make certain you know exactly what you’re getting, in terms of weight, frame size and materials, if you decide you want to have a bike made elsewhere.