In this article, we will talk about how to choose the right mountain bike, and also figure out how such a bike differs from a road bike or city bike. Additionally, we will give a rating of the best mountain bikes in 2019, we will tell you about the models that received the best user reviews.
What is a mountain bike?
You must correctly understand what a mountain bike is, because it is not at all necessary to ride this transport exclusively in the mountains. Such a great one is designed for off-road driving of any type - through forests, fields, dirt roads, asphalt, deep sand, areas with frequent elevation changes.
Mountain bikes are distinguished from road or city bikes by a stronger frame, larger wheel diameter with heavy tread, shock absorbers on both wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and a complex transmission with more gears. The comfort and safety of the cyclist on the road depends on all these factors.
- Sturdy frame and large wheels will withstand aggressive off-road driving;
- Powerful tread will provide reliable and correct traction of the wheels to the ground;
- Shock absorbers will soften impacts on bumps when jumping, as well as on steep, uneven descents;
- Many speed modes allow you to easily overcome the ups and downs without additional effort when pedaling;
- A high-quality braking system will not let you down at times of emergency braking.
Lightweight mountain bikes may not include all of these options, because not all mountain bikes are designed specifically for sharp riding. For example, there are models with a single speed transmission, no shock absorbers, etc. To get a good understanding of how to choose a mountain bike for a man or a woman, let's find out what types they are.
Types of bikes for riding in the mountains
This information will allow you to more correctly understand which mountain bike is better to buy for an adult.
Off-road bikes
They will serve you faithfully on any off-road routes, from mountains to forests, sands, mud and gravel. In turn, SUVs are subdivided into hardtails and two-suspension. Shock absorbers are important for ease of handling and ride cushioning, and are powerful steel springs:
- Hardtails are equipped with front shock absorbers only;
- Full-suspension bikes are equipped with shock absorbers on both wheels.
Full-suspension bikes are an order of magnitude more expensive than hardtails and should be chosen by those who plan to ride a lot, often and aggressively. If you do not know which hardtail bike to choose, be guided by the brand, reviews, and the quality of other components.
Off-road bikes
They differ from SUVs with a more powerful frame, larger wheel diameter and powerful treads. Designed to ride on all imaginable and unthinkable routes, where no other great will pass. They can withstand jumps, steep descents, various obstacles.
Cross country
These are lightweight mountain bikes that are better suited for long distances with multiple elevation differences. They do not cope well with strong off-road conditions, but they allow you to develop a solid speed on a high-mountain and well-equipped track.
Freeride and Downhill
If you are unsure of how to pick a good adult mountain bike for steep descents, jumps and tricks, then the bikes in this category are the right choice. They perfectly withstand uneven surfaces, bumps, bumps and pits.
Top brands
To pick the right mountain bike, let's take a look at the top brands identified based on reviews. This will help you understand which brand of bike to choose in terms of price and quality.
- Giant;
- Stels;
- Merida;
- Stinger;
- Forward;
- Author;
- Trek;
- Cannondale;
- GT;
- Novatrack;
- Specialized;
- Cube;
- Felt.
Answering the question, which mountain bike is better to choose, we will advise you to focus on the brands listed above, but before that, it will be correct to clearly understand why you need such a bike.
Tips: what to look for to choose the right one
So you've come to a sporting goods store or opened an online store on your computer.
- Decide how and where you plan to drive;
- You should know how to choose the right mountain bike for your height - several articles on our portal are devoted to this topic. At this point, it is important to choose the right frame size;
- To choose the right bike, be honest about your fitness. If it's weak, you don't need to buy a fancy (and expensive) mountain bike with a complex drivetrain and other chips;
- Decide on finances, because a good all-terrain vehicle can cost $ 300, $ 500 and $ 3000;
- Next, think about which wheel diameter to choose. For kids, it's right to stick with a 24-inch bike; adults should choose a 29-inch bike. It is heavier than the 26-inch, but it gives more return from the pedaling (you can go further with less effort);
- It is more correct to choose hydraulic disc brakes;
- Choosing between a hardtail and a two-suspension mountain bike, again evaluate the level of complexity of the planned routes;
- The gearbox is rarely the main factor when choosing a mountain bike, but if you want to learn how to ride professionally, it is worth choosing a model with a complex transmission.
Here's our own top of the best mountain bikes, compiled from cyclist reviews.
Rating: top 6 popular bikes
First, consider the rating of the best brands of mountain bikes from inexpensive manufacturers (up to 13 thousand rubles).
Novatrack Shark 20 6
It's a cool, striking two-suspension bike with shock absorbers on both wheels. Includes 6 speeds, 2 quality brakes and powerful tires. Such a sports bike should be chosen for an active teenager or a petite woman. The diameter of the wheels is 24 inches. The price is 10,000 rubles.
FORWARD Sporting 27.5 1.0
Correctly selected wheel diameter will provide comfort in any off-road conditions! This model has a wheel size of 27.5 inches, so it can be safely called an SUV. Despite the steel construction, the bike is lightweight and easy to handle. The price is 12,000 rubles.
Stinger Element D 26
Rides well on rough terrain and does an excellent job of high-altitude areas on a good track. The diameter of the wheels is 26 inches. The bike is equipped with a reliable braking system, and the wheels are double rims.
These were the best budget mountain bikes most often bought by Russian cyclists today. Next, let's move on to the very best mountain bikes in terms of price-performance ratio. They are more expensive, but their level is an order of magnitude higher than those listed. The price is 13,000 rubles.
Giant revel 2
The wheels are 26 inches in diameter and weigh only 14 kg. It is easy to operate and picks up speed rapidly. Rides very smoothly and comfortably. It feels great in moderate off-road conditions, but we do not recommend choosing it for impassable trails. But on country roads and in the city, you will feel like on a presentable comfort class wheelbarrow! The price is 22,000 rubles.
Merida Big.Nine 40-D
An excellent mountain bike, which will be the right choice for riding on rough terrain without beaten paths. The gearbox has 27 speeds, so the bike handles beautifully and effortlessly on steep climbs and descents. The diameter of the wheels is 29 inches. The price is 40,000 rubles.
Specialized Men’s Chisel Comp
This is the best brand among hardtail bicycles - it is assembled and manufactured, as they say, "conscientiously". If you are willing to pay that amount for a mountain bike, you should definitely choose this brand and model. It has a large aluminum frame with the best stiffness and strength characteristics, while weighing only 11 kg. The model is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, high quality treads on 29-inch wheels. The model lends itself well to control, predictably behaves at high speeds, is stable on descents and in hard braking conditions, and feels great both on dry and wet soil. Price 135,000 rubles.
So our review of mountain bikes is over, we hope now you can easily choose the right bike. If possible, be sure to test the model you like - this will certainly contribute to the correct choice, and save you from mistakes.
