Characteristics of Top Mountain Bikes
Much of the time, you get what you pay for in the case of mountain bikes. Figuring out which top of the line mountain bike really is a good buy can be quite hard, even if looking for the best bike you can afford is a good idea. To decide on the right model, in general, it is best to look at the quality of the components, and exactly how the bike fits you and the way you ride.
A mountain bike is a bicycle with a tough frame, broader tires with large treads, horizontal handlebars, and gearing, basically. Off road, they offer far better traction and stability than a street bike’s narrow tires and lightweight frame can. While these bikes are called mountain bikes, that’s not all they’re for. They can also be ridden cross country, or on trails with no surfacing or with gravel. City streets that have uneven or broken paving are also suitable for these bikes. Just watch out for roots and large rocks. Choose a mountain bike for any application where you will need strength and stability. If you do most of your cycling on flat areas with smooth pavement, these bikes are probably heavier than you’re looking for.
Look for Quality Construction
As well as using good materials, top of the line mountain bikes will offer quality construction. Do not 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. While prestigious materials certainly command a higher price tag, quality of manufacture is more important, whether you’re buying a frame, some gears, or new wheels. Instead of rim brakes like the ones on road bikes, look for bikes with higher quality disc brakes and good suspension.
Lightweight Frames Are In
There is less for you to pull up steep slopes, with lighter frames. However, lightweight frames and wheels also mean that you sacrifice strength, in some materials. A certain loss of stability is also unavoidable. Mountain bikes are normally heavier-built than road bikes, for these reasons. The hottest and newest composites used to make trail bicycle frames are materials like Kevlar (the same material used for bullet proof vests. These materials are also utilized for other parts of the bike, as they are intensely light-weight and very powerful. However, it is very difficult to fix bike frames made from carbon fiber and Kevlar when they are damaged.
Titanium, the best and most high-priced material for bike frames, offers the light weight of carbon fiber with strength that may surpass that of the toughest steel alloy frames. For downhill frames, it is also the most corrosion-proof. All these benefits come with an extremely high price tag, as you would expect.
Robust Suspension is a Must
With lighter materials like titanium and aluminum, good suspension can reduce the “whippiness” you sometimes get. Front only or both front and rear supension are available on high-end mountain bikes. When you select your bike, be sure to try it out to make certain that you have the right fit, and that the weight feels good to you. Make certain you know exactly what you’re getting, in terms of frame size, weight, and materials, if you decide you want to have a bike made elsewhere.
