Step-step before Shopping for Bikes

once you’ve figured out the best mountain bike style for you, it’s time to start shopping in your local mountain bike shop. Here are tips to help you out

* Borrow a bike and try it out
When you've figured out the right style of bike for you, to make double sure that you're making the right choice, borrow a bike from a friend and try it out.

* Resist the temptation to go cheap.
With bikes, like most everything else, you get what you pay for. Chances are you won’t be happy over the long run with a cheapie bike from a big box discounter, even if it was a deal. They are heavy and the components won’t last like they would in a quality model.

* Spend some time at your local mountain bike shop.
The people who run your LBS are your best resource on bike buying. These folks are knowledgeable, and can offer tips, advice and service that you can never get over the internet.

* Consider buying used
The best way to get a decent bike without forking out a whole bunch of money, particularly if you’re still wondering if you’ll stick with it for a while, is to buy a used mountain bike rather than purchasing one new. And sources abound, from sites like Craigslist to the classified ads in the newspaper to a swap board carried by your local mountain bike shop on its website.

While shopping for a used mountain bike on your own means you won’t have the same input as you get from a knowledgeable salesman at the local mountain bike shop, the opportunity to take the bike for a test ride coupled with a little online research should be enough to tell you about the

* suitability of your purchase.
So, after you’ve thought thoroughly about they type of riding you’ll be doing, and taken a several different types out for test rides, go get the very best mountain bike you can afford. It’ll be money well spent.