What Mountain Bike To Choose

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a mountain bike – the type of terrain you’ll be riding, the type of rider you are, your budget, and your personal preferences.

To narrow down your options, it’s important to think about what kind of riding you’ll be doing. If you’re planning on mostly riding paved trails or roads with some dirt trails mixed in, then a hardtail mountain bike is probably best for you. If you want to ride more challenging terrain like steep hills or rocky paths that require more skill and balance, then consider buying a full suspension mountain bike.

If this is your first time buying a mountain bike and you’re not sure what to look for when shopping around, check out our guide “How To Choose The Best Mountain Bike For You”

How do I choose the right mountain bike?

Get the right size. Choose a wheel size. Choose hardtail or full-suss. Don’t obsess about weight. Beware the flashy trinkets. Choose suspension quality, not quantity. Look for futureproof design. Keep some budget back.^[1]

Is 26 inch mountain bike good for what height?

A 26-inch bike works well for people who are 4’10-5’7, or 147 cm to 170 cm. Also, it works well for people whose leg inseam is 25-30 inches, or 63-76 cm. However, the frame size may need adjustment depending on your height.^[2]

What is the difference between trail and all mountain bike?

All-mountain bikes have slightly more suspension travel than trail bikes, ranging from 5.5″/140mm to 6.7″/180mm. Geometry strongly favors descending to climbing. Head angles in the 65°- 67° range can require some finesse when it comes to steep climbs.^[3]

What is the difference between enduro and trail MTB?

An enduro bike will generally have between 140 and 180 mm of travel. A trail bike will have up to 140 mm of travel. A quick rule of thumb here is that because of the longer travel an enduro bike will favor heading down a trail over being a truly efficient climbing machine. The reason for this is enduro racing.^[4]

What is the difference between mountain bike types?

There are two main categories of mountain bikes: hardtails and full-suspension bikes. Hardtails do not have a rear shock and have either a suspension fork or a rigid fork. Full-suspension bikes are defined by having both front and rear suspension.^[5]

What are four categories of mountain biking?

The different disciplines of mountain bike racing. Just like motorsports have numerous race disciplines, the same is true of mountain biking. The main disciplines are downhill, cross-country, slopestyle, enduro and four-cross.^[6]

How tall should you be for a 27.5 inch bike?

27.5 inch bikes are suitable for adults between 5’2” and 5’10”. That said, adults of all heights can ride this wheel size. Some brands claim that 27.5” wheels are especially useful for riders 5’7” and under.^[7]

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller mountain bike frame?

Is It Better to Get a Bigger or Smaller Mountain Bike Frame? Ideally, you want to go for the correct size for your body size. However, if you do find yourself in between 2 sizes and you are a less experienced rider then test ride the smaller of the two sizes first.^[8]

Is 29 inch bike good for what height?

If you’re 5’6′ or taller, you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6′ tall can rejoice: You’ll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.^[9]

How tall a person rides a 26 inch bike?

26-inch bikes are a common size for adults. Riders with a height of 5′ and above are typically tall enough to comfortably fit on bikes with 26” wheels.^[10]

What height is a 28 inch bike for?

This bicycle is suitable for adults having a height range of 6 feet or above. The 28-inch bicycle is also called 29er which is mostly the mountain bike suitable for mountain biking due to large-sized wheels that are highly stable with high velocity having greater control and durability.^[11]

What does a 26 inch bike mean?

And what does it mean when they say “26 inches”? A 26 inch mountain bike means that the wheels have an internal diameter of 26 inches. This measurement is commonly used in reference to mountain bike. For example, a man who stands 5’8″ would be best suited for a 26-inch frame.^[12]