Best Mountain Bikes

Finding the best mountain bike isn't as hard as you may think, but there are some things to look at that will help you to make a better educated decision. While not  comprehensive, the following six points should be considered when looking for the best mountain bike.

Six Points:
       1.  Price
       2.  Frame
       3.  Brakes
       4.  Shifters
       5.  Tires
       6.  Size/Fit

Price:
The best mountain bikes can cost thousands of dollars and can cost as little as several hundred dollars. It is a good idea to determine your price range before you begin your search. A good beginner mountain bike will cost between $400 and $800 dollars depending on where you buy it. You can find a cheaper bike at one of the local retail stores but chances are the bike will not hold up and you will be finding yourself replacing parts or even a new bike in a relatively short amount of time. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they buy a mountain bike or any bike for that matter. In the long run you would have been better off getting a more expensive mountain bike and keeping it for years rather than buying the cheap mountain bike and replacing it every year.

Frame:
The best mountain bikes have the best frames. The quality that sets them apart are in the design and production of the frame. If you have ever looked at a cheap mountain bike you will notice the lack of expertise in regards to the welds on the frame. If the welds stand out to you than chances are that you are looking at a cheap frame. If the welds seem to flow and are not the first thing you notice about the frame then chances are you are looking at a good frame. As a beginner you may want to consider buying a "hardtail" (a bike with only front suspension) or even a bike that is rigid, which has no suspension fork. I prefer a mountain bike that has a full suspension, which means there is a shock system on both the front and rear of the mountain bike. These will be more expensive but are well worth the cost.

Brakes:
Obviously the best mountain bikes have the best brakes. The decision you have to make is whether to use disk brakes or rim brakes. You will get the best braking with disk brakes but the cost will be a bit higher. Rim brakes offer a lighter, lower cost alternative but you will sacrifice some performance particularly in wet conditions.

Shifters:
There are basically two types of shifters on mountain bikes, Rapidfire shifters and Gripfit shifters. The Rapidfire shifters are located under the brake lever and Gripfit shifters are incorporated into the handlebars that work similar to a motorcycle. The more experienced riders seem to like the Rapidfire shifters better but ultimately it will be a matter of choice.

Tires:
If you are going to do a lot of off-road riding then you will want to have tires that are designed with the larger knobs. this will give you more traction and control on uneven terrain. If you are using the mountain bike for mainly street use then you can get away with the smaller knobs for less resistance on the flatter paved surfaces. If you are going to use the mountain bike for off road and on road then look for a tire with a ridge in the middle and medium sized knobs on the side of the tire.

Size/Fit:
To get the best mountain bike that suits you well it is important to get the right size bike. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two to three inches of clearance above the top tube while you are standing, straddling the bike. This also depends on the terrain you will be ridding over. If you are going to be riding a bit more aggressively you can increase this to four to six inches of clearance to allow for ease of operation over very uneven surfaces. While sitting on the bike adjust it so your down leg has a slight bend at the knee. This will be a matter of preference but a good starting point would be about 30 degrees of bend.

That's the basics you need to know before buying the best mountain bike for yourself. If you choose wisely you will enjoy many miles of riding.

Below we have included three bikes which have all of the qualifications that represent a quality bike at an affordable price.

Iron Horse Sachem Mountain Bike

Diamondback Recoil Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

Smith & Wesson Custom Police Mountain Bike