A mountain bike is differentiated from a road bike by its smaller, more rugged frame, wider tires, and its ability to handle muddy trails and rocks. It is not restricted to mountains. It can take on a wide variation in terrain, including cross-country, urban area, downhill, or steep mountains.

Choosing a mountain bike is not an easy assignment. There are a staggering number of options you can select from in terms of frame geometry, suspension, brake, tire tread patterns, and even manufacturers.

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The Right Style

You have the freedom to use the mountain bike the way you want to. The more aggressive you plan to use the bike and the more challenging the terrain you plan to ride over, the more advanced features you should have on your mountain bike. Expect the price for these models to be more expensive. The point where your needs and your budget meet is where you’ll find the perfect bike for you.

The Right Fit

When you ride a bike that fits well and is right for your height, flexibility, and riding style, you’ll love it. You can improve your handling and confidence on the trail with a properly fitted bike so you can tackle more challenging and technical trails.

Mountain bikes come in standard sizes (S, M, L) and are typically the same across brands. The sizes correspond to your height. Many bike manufacturers include size charts that list a range of heights for each bike size. When in doubt about your size, err on the smaller side since more sizing accommodations can be made with a smaller frame than with one that’s too big.
You’ll get the best fit by going to a bike store: Armed with a general idea of the type of bike you’re looking for, now is a good time to head to REI or another specialty retailer to identify some suitable models and try out a few. That’s the best way to find the right fit.

Take a test ride. Try out several bikes. You should be able to narrow down your selection to two or three bikes with the help of a sales specialist. Despite having similar prices and components, each will feel different when riding. Take each for a five- to 10-minute ride over some varied surfaces, including up a short hill. Most of the time, one bike will just feel better to you than the rest. Bicycles should feel like extensions of your body.

Suspension

Front suspension on a bike adds weight and cost but has many advantages on many terrain types. Full suspension (both front and rear suspensions) may be useful for hardcore riding but adds more cost and weight. Buying a low-budget mountain bike below $400 may let you compromise on quality and be a waste of money.

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Bike Frame

The following are the most common frame materials with their pros and cons:

1. High-tensile Steel. Inexpensive and strong but very heavy, used on low-end bikes.
2. Chromoly Steel. Uses chromium and molybdenum, lighter and more rigid but costs a bit more.
3. Lighter but not as strong as Chromoly, a good compromise between weight and cost.
4. Very light and strong, mostly found in high-end bikes.
5. Carbon fiber. Extremely light and rigid, for serious mountain bikers.

Wheels

They are typically either 27.5-inch diameter or 29-inch. The older 26” is disappearing.

Women’s models come with women’s-specific seats, smaller grips, narrower handlebars, and shorter crank arms. Most also have lighter suspension tuning for smaller riders.

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