Are you ready to experience the adrenaline rush of mountain biking? Whether you’re exploring your local area or heading to one of the many bike parks or trail centres dotted around the UK, you’ll need a bike to do it. A dedicated mountain bike is the best choice, as they are ideally suited to tackling off-road riding. With many different forms of mountain biking available, the choice is greater than ever – but it can be a bit daunting. This guide will focus on the key factors to making your decision and help to explain some of the commonly used terms, so you’ll be sure the bike you choose is right for you.
In simplest terms, a mountain bike is a bicycle that is solely designed for riding off-road. Despite many different variations available, the common traits are all quite similar – wide tyres, flat handlebars, disc brakes, low gear ratios and suspension in some form. These core features make it easier to handle the challenges that riding off-road terrain pose.
As mountain biking has developed over the years, so too has the speciality of the equipment. Riders can now match their bike and set up to their riding style, making it a more enjoyable and efficient experience when the bike is perfectly suited to tackle what’s thrown at it.
Before we dive into anything, establishing the size you need is critical. No matter what bike it is, it’s not suitable for you to ride if it doesn’t fit. All of our mountain bikes provide general sizing guides on the website based on height and inside leg. However, we would advise new riders to go and visit a local Giant retailer before making any purchase. They can provide expert advice based on your measurements and requirements, giving you all the information you need to ensure that you are getting the correct bike that’s perfectly suited to your needs.
With the importance of getting the right size established, let’s dive into the bikes themselves. One of the first questions when looking at a new mountain bike is whether to go for a hardtail or full suspension.
Hardtail mountain bikes only feature suspension on the front fork, making the back of the bike rigid or ’hard’ (where the name ‘hardtail’ comes from). As you may have guessed, full-suspension bikes feature suspension on both the front and rear of the bike. Each has its pros and cons, so which one you choose is down to factors like riding style and budget.
Regardless of whether you are leaning towards full suspension or a hardtail, the next thing you’ll need to consider is the amount of travel the bike has. Travel refers to the maximum distance either the front or rear suspension can compress before ’bottoming’ out. It’s measured in millimetres, and depending on the value, it can have a big effect on how the bike rides and what terrain it can handle, so it’s worth understanding before making your purchase.
The amount of travel can be loosely broken down as follows; Anything between 80-110mm is referred to as ‘short travel’, and it’s a great set up for cross country riding. With fewer ups and downs to contend with, the suspension is not needed nearly as much. Having less travel saves weight for the flatter profile terrain, making it easier to ride over longer distances. Somewhere between 120-150mm is the sweet spot for general trail riding, also known as ‘mid-travel’. Most ‘do-it-all’ full-suspension mountain bikes pitch themselves in this range, as it’s ideal for tackling all types of riding. Anything over 150mm can be classed as long travel. Most enduro bikes will top out around 170/180mm, with downhill bikes usually opting for a 200mm front and rear set-up.
It’s worth noting that for hardtail bikes, the front travel is usually less than a full-suspension bike. It’s because on a full suspension, the front and rear work simultaneously to keep the bike more balanced. As the rear of a hardtail is fixed, if the front suspension compresses too much, it will negatively impact the geometry and riding position.
Now you know how travel affects a mountain bike, the question still remains - which one do you go for? Well, it’s a difficult one to answer. It comes down to personal preference and which bike is right for you. The general rule is that the longer the travel, the heavier and more expensive the bike will be (when comparing similar spec versions of course). However, the additional travel makes the bike more capable of handling high-speed downhills with big bumps and rocks (it’s why downhill bikes have the most travel). So to find the best bike for you, understanding which one fulfils your riding requirements and best meets your budget criteria is critical. Most first-time mountain bikers tend to opt for a short travel hardtail or mid-travel full-suspension bike, as it gives them greater flexibility to try all different facets of mountain biking to see what area they enjoy the most.
When choosing the frame material, there are two main options to consider - aluminium or carbon fibre. Both materials are excellent choices, and you can’t go wrong with either. Carbon fibre comes at a premium price but usually offers a lighter weight, added compliance and increased stiffness. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a hard and fast rule, and much of it depends on the quality of the material used and the approach during the manufacturing process. Also, the benefits of carbon can easily be wiped out with poor component choice. For example, the slight reduction in weight for a carbon frame could be easily wiped out if the wheels are significantly heavier than those on the aluminium bike. That’s why it’s essential to consider the bike’s overall package rather than just
For those wanting to take their cycling adventure outside, investing in a mountain bike can be the perfect way to explore the great outdoors. It can be tricky to know which bike to buy, however, and many inexperienced riders might struggle to find the right mountain bike for their needs. Here, we outline some simple steps to help you find the perfect mountain bike for your first adventure.
Step 1: Consider Your Budget
Before you start searching for a mountain bike, it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend. With mountain bikes, you tend to get what you pay for, so if you’re serious about off-road cycling then it’s worth considering whether investing in a higher-priced model is the right choice for you.
Step 2: Get an Expert Opinion
It’s sometimes difficult to unlock all the technical information while searching online, so don’t forget to speak to an expert in cycling. Whether it’s a representative from a local bike shop or a cycling friend, getting advice from someone with experience in selecting mountain bikes can be invaluable.
Step 3: Know Thyself
It’s important to think about the features of a bike that would suit you best. Think about what type of riding you want to do, do you prefer trails or roads? Also take into account your height, weight and strength level, as these will all affect the bike you end up buying.
Step 4: Test Ride Different Models
It’s no good just looking at a mountain bike on the internet – you have to find one that fits you and works for your riding style. Consider test-riding different models before committing to a purchase and you’ll soon start to note the differences between bike frames, wheel sizes and suspension.
Step 5: Get Out and Ride
Once you’ve found the right mountain bike for you, it’s time to get out and enjoy your adventure. Make sure you have all the necessary safety gear, such as the correct helmet, and you can be confident in the knowledge that you’ve found the perfect mountain bike for you. Happy trails!
By following these simple steps, you can find the perfect mountain bike for your first adventure. Whether you’re looking for a high-end model for serious riding or a more affordable option to explore the trails, the right mountain bike will give you the freedom to enjoy the great outdoors.