Full suspension mountain bikes are usually the top of the range models and every year manufacturers make better, lighter and cheaper full suspension bikes. If you are in the market for a full suspension mountain bike, read on and find out the most important factors to consider.
It is usually best to strat your search for a new mountain bike by considering the sort of riding you will be doing - what type of terrain will you cover? For typical cross country (XC) riding a full suspension mountain bike may not be necessary and the extra weight could slow you down. A hardtail bike (no rear suspension) could be a good alternative. However for downhill riding or over very rough terrain a full suspension bike would be the preferred choice.
Decide on the amount you want to spend a keep to this figure. Ideally, you should aim to buy the best bike that fits within your budget. It is often suggested that if you have less than 500 euros to spend on a bike you might want to look at a hardtail bike as full suspension models are more costly. Another option would be to look at buying a second hand full suspension bike at a reduced price.
If a full suspension mountain bike is the right choice, you will then need to consider the alternative frame designs. Single-pivot, multi link and cantilever are a few of the options but there is a vast selection of different designs and each has their pros and cons. The best way to really understand the difference is to visit a few large bike stores and test ride the different options. The bike store will have qualified staff that can provide full details of the choices available.
Full suspension bikes are more complex and can be significantly heavier than hardtail bikes. Full suspension frames are also a little heavier and will require more effort to pedal along the trail.
Browse through some of the many online mountain bike forums, where you can learn find out what other riders are saying about their own bikes. You can learn a lot from the experiences of other people.
Remember make an allowance for maintenance costs. Full suspension bikes will require an increased level of maintenance due to the more complex system. If you are a DIY type you will need a few extra tools as well.
Finally, test ride as many different mountain bikes as you can before buying. And remember you can also test ride a full suspension mountain bike with the front and or rear shock locked out, to simulate the effect of a hard tail. - 30330
It is usually best to strat your search for a new mountain bike by considering the sort of riding you will be doing - what type of terrain will you cover? For typical cross country (XC) riding a full suspension mountain bike may not be necessary and the extra weight could slow you down. A hardtail bike (no rear suspension) could be a good alternative. However for downhill riding or over very rough terrain a full suspension bike would be the preferred choice.
Decide on the amount you want to spend a keep to this figure. Ideally, you should aim to buy the best bike that fits within your budget. It is often suggested that if you have less than 500 euros to spend on a bike you might want to look at a hardtail bike as full suspension models are more costly. Another option would be to look at buying a second hand full suspension bike at a reduced price.
If a full suspension mountain bike is the right choice, you will then need to consider the alternative frame designs. Single-pivot, multi link and cantilever are a few of the options but there is a vast selection of different designs and each has their pros and cons. The best way to really understand the difference is to visit a few large bike stores and test ride the different options. The bike store will have qualified staff that can provide full details of the choices available.
Full suspension bikes are more complex and can be significantly heavier than hardtail bikes. Full suspension frames are also a little heavier and will require more effort to pedal along the trail.
Browse through some of the many online mountain bike forums, where you can learn find out what other riders are saying about their own bikes. You can learn a lot from the experiences of other people.
Remember make an allowance for maintenance costs. Full suspension bikes will require an increased level of maintenance due to the more complex system. If you are a DIY type you will need a few extra tools as well.
Finally, test ride as many different mountain bikes as you can before buying. And remember you can also test ride a full suspension mountain bike with the front and or rear shock locked out, to simulate the effect of a hard tail. - 30330
