Street Bicycles

A Simple Guide To Buying A Quality Mountain Bike

Many people these days are pursuing healthier, more active lifestyles. These people are discovering the benefits of having a strong fit body. One of the ways people are choosing to exercise is bike riding. On-road or off, bicycling is a great way to have some fun and get into better shape.

The fastest growing segment of the bicycle market is that of the mountain bike. Mountain bikes are multi-geared bicycles designed specifically for trails and any other non-paved surface. Even if you don't plan on doing much trail riding, you'll appreciate the mountain bike's design next time your speed over a pothole or surmount a curb.

When shopping for a mountain bike you'll encounter a wealth of options. It can be a little overwhelming but we'll break it down for you to make your decision easier. First of all, you need to determine your budget. How much are you willing to spend? Everything starts here. You should budget as much as you possibly can because costlier bikes perform better than cheaper ones.

When it comes to mountain bikes, it's not just a name you're buying. Higher priced mountain bikes really are worth it in the long run. They're lighter, stronger, more comfortable, more reliable, and have more features than a cheap bike. Related to cost is where you're going to buy the bike. We recommend purchasing your bike from a bike store as opposed to one of those "big box" retailers. The employees at your local bike shop will be far more knowledgeable about their products than the people at those sprawling, impersonal cathedrals of capitalism. A bike from a local bike shop might cost more but your overall experience will be significantly better.

After deciding how much you want to spend, you need to figure out what features are important to you. This is where things can get a little confusing and where you'll find the added value in patronizing a local bike shop where all these details can be explained and elaborated upon.

Many mountain bikes today feature full suspensions. This means that both the front and rear wheels are cushioned with some sort of system which will give you added comfort and control when negotiating tricky terrain. Of course, this adds to the price of the bike. Many bikes are made with just a front suspension. This cuts down on cost and is quite suitable for most riders. You can get a mountain bike without any sort of suspension. The choice is yours.

Try out all different sorts of bikes and see which one you like best. Again, listen to the advice you get from the pros at the shop, and do some research online. There's a wealth of helpful information on mountain bikes available on the web. Mountain bike magazines are also an excellent resource. Of course, there are many other things to consider when purchasing a mountain bike, but for the beginner, it's best to just narrow it down to how much you want to spend and what kind of suspension you're going to want.

Remember to test-ride any bike you're thinking about buying because the feel of the bike is all-important. Read reviews and heed the advice of experts. In no time you'll be cruising through the woods and getting into great shape.

About the Author

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as
cycling shoes
at http://www.cyclinggearplus.com

How to Pick a Bicycle : Finding the Right Mountain Bike

Louis Garneau Orbit Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $49.99 Louis Garneau Orbit Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. With a detachable visor, 21 vents, and a rack and pinion mechanism that comfortably and securely holds the Bicycle Helmet in position, this mountain bike Bicycle Helmet is ready for any trail.

Giro Phase Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $39 Giro Phase Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether it's a daunting climb or rock-strewn trail, this compact, cool and durable mountain bike Bicycle Helmet delivers high-profile performance at an incredible value!

Giro Xen Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $49 Giro Xen Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. What do you get when you combine the smooth, lower profile style and coverage of a multi-sport Bicycle Helmet with the lighter weight and ventilation of high-performance mountain bike Bicycle Helmet? The Xen of course!

Bell Delirium Euro Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $49.99 Bell Delirium Euro Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Amazingly light with extremely large vents for great airflow, this Bell Bicycle Helmet is more than just head protection -- it's a fashion statement!

2010 Bell Variant Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $79.99 2010 Bell Variant Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether it's a day at the trails, a few hours at the park or shuttling down that near vertical descent, this skate-inspired and trail-tuned Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet is ready to play anywhere you take it!

Bell Influx Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $34.99 Bell Influx Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. The fact that this is the world's best Bicycle Helmet value is kind of beside the point. With features like 18 massive vents, Fusion In-Mold Microshell, blade visor, GPS Fit System, channeled ventilation and Cam-Lock levers, the Influx is a great Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet at any price.

Giro Athlon Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $69 Giro Athlon Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. If your mountain bike riding style involves a timing chip and number plate, then you'll be relieved to know that Giro has developed a competition-specific bike Bicycle Helmet just for you. Compact shape, 23 Wind Tunnel vents and low-profile P.O.V. visor maximize comfort and performance on the race course.

2012 Giro Athlon Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $134.99 2012 Giro Athlon Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. If your mountain bike riding style involves a timing chip and number plate, then you'll be relieved to know that Giro has developed a competition-specific bike Bicycle Helmet just for you. Compact shape, 23 Wind Tunnel vents, low-profile P.O.V. visor and the new Roc Loc 5 retention system maximize comfort, fit and performance on the race course.

Giro E2 Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet Slate Small $99.99 Giro E2 Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet Slate Small. Whether you're attacking the singletrack or cruising through the great wide open, the Giro E2 Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet is a proven winner on the trail.

2011 Lazer Oasiz Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $119.99 2011 Lazer Oasiz Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Lazer has teamed up with legendary mountain biker, Brian Lopes, to create an all-mountain bike Bicycle Helmet with more protection and coverage. In-Molded reinforcement structure improves impact resistance and guarantees higher safety. Extended back and sides shield your neck and face on rougher rides. Lazer and Brian even reduced the Bicycle Helmet weight, optimized ventilation, added advanced retention features and gave it a very appropriate name: the Oasiz. It's one of the safest places to put your head.

2012 Giro Xar Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $129.99 2012 Giro Xar Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Introducing the new czar of all-mountain riding. With skate-punk style, sleek lines, 17 Wind Tunnel vents, X-Static padding, and the unmatched fit and adjustability of Giro's new Roc Loc 5 retention system, the Xar bike Bicycle Helmet blends coverage, comfort and style.

2012 Bell Sequence Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $89.99 2012 Bell Sequence Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Somewhere between full-on XC racing and just riding for the huck of it sits the Bell Sequence Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. European-inspired, the Sequence is equipped with the Twin Axis Gear fit system, 24 flow-tuned vents and a VPV visor adjustable visor for everything from the all-day XC epic to the a 24-hour endurance race to the show-and-go after work ride.

Giro Animas Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $49 Giro Animas Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. If you're an up-and-coming racer or singletrack hog who wants a deal on top performance, you should check out the Animas. It combines aggressive style and Wind Tunnel vents with the stability of a Roc Loc 4 system and P.O.V. visor. Whether its epic endurance challenges or tough terrain, this bike Bicycle Helmet has you covered.

Giro E2 Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $49 Giro E2 Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether you're attacking the singletrack or cruisin' through the great wide open, the Giro E2 bike Bicycle Helmet is a proven winner on the trail. All its power fits inside a compact, In-Mold shell equipped with the super stable Roc Loc 4 and rugged P.O.V. visor. It's no wonder that hardcore riders love the supercharged power of the E2.

2012 Giro Hex Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $89.99 2012 Giro Hex Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. The Hex bike Bicycle Helmet lures the trail-hungry rider with its top-level features. Rock-hard design guarantees unparalleled protection for your dream box. 21 vents provide powerful ventilation, adjustable visor shields your eyes, and the new Roc Loc 5 retention system sets the standard for comfort, stability, adjustability and weight savings.

2011 Giro Hex Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $89.99 2011 Giro Hex Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. The Hex bike Bicycle Helmet lures the trail-hungry rider with its top-level features. Rock-hard design guarantees unparalleled protection for your dream box. 21 vents provide powerful ventilation, adjustable visor shields your eyes, and the new Roc Loc 5 retention system sets the standard for comfort, stability, adjustability and weight savings.

Giro Hex Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $34 Giro Hex Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. The Hex bike Bicycle Helmet lures the trail-hungry rider with its top-level features. Rock-hard design guarantees unparalleled protection for your dream box. 21 vents provide powerful ventilation, adjustable visor shields your eyes and the Roc Loc 4 retention system enhances stability over rough terrain.

2011 Lazer Clash Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $69.99 2011 Lazer Clash Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether you're cruisin' fast on a rock-strewn trail or you've suddenly developed a relationship with a tree you never saw before, one thing is for sure: You'll be glad you wore the Clash bike Bicycle Helmet. Additional shell protection underneath the In-Molded upper shell maximizes durability. Award-winning, Rollsys system provides the most accurate and advanced fit on the planet, and even stays in position in the event of a crash.

2012 Bell Variant Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $79.99 2012 Bell Variant Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether it's a day at the trails, a few hours at the park or shuttling down that near vertical descent, this skate-inspired, trail-tuned, bike Bicycle Helmet is ready to play anywhere you take it. With features like Fusion In-Mold Microshell, adjustable visor, Twin Axis Gear fit system, channeled ventilation, and Cam-Lock levers, the Variant's got it all.

2012 Giro Feature Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $74.99 2012 Giro Feature Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether you're bushwhacking through neglected trails, gearing up for an all-mountain epic or racing in a Super-D, one thing is for sure. The Giro Feature bike Bicycle Helmet can handle it all. Its new shape has more coverage than traditional helmets for maximum impact protection. Internal channels keep your head cool on the climbs, adjustable moto-style visor protects your vision and the In-Form retention system makes it easy to dial-in the perfect fit, even with gloves on.

Fort Gotham Road and Mountain Bike Tires $13.99 Fort Gotham Road and Mountain Bike Tires. A durable, all-purpose urban bicycle tire that's perfect for commuting, training or just cruisin' around town.

Fort Greenway Mountain Bike Tire $10.99 Fort Greenway Mountain Bike Tire. Your connection to nearby neighborhoods, parks and other points of interest is a close as a local trail, road, fire road or greenway. And whatever pathway you choose, you can rest assured that the Fort Greenway bicycle tire will keep you rolling along in smooth comfort.