Tips for Buying a Beginner Mountain Bike

Published on: 24 September 2018 Last Updated on: 09 June 2023
Mountain Bike

Planning to hit the dirt trail for the first time? Plus, are you in a dilemma as to which mountain bike suits you best? Well, I have some good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you’re not alone. The bad news is that the whole process might turn out to be trickier than you thought.

I have some tips for you; tips that will help you make an educated decision. After all, you want the best performance, comfort, and quality for the price, don’t you? Read more and find out how to achieve that the easy way.

1. Get the Right Size:

It’s not uncommon to hear one say “a medium-sized mountain bike works best for me.”But let’s be honest, a medium frame size for one brand might not have the same measurement as that of another brand. There’s a huge chance you might get the wrong fit.

Consider a more practical approach. And for this, you need to take some measurements, which in most cases, are given by the manufacturers. Consider the reach, I mean the distance between the saddle and the handlebars. Additionally, consider the stack height, which is the distance between the center of the crank to the mid-section of the head tube.

Remember, along front triangle is better for maximized grip and stability. So, you should consider going longer than the standard road bike measurements. In doing so, ensure there’s enough standover clearance. However, don’t go too low in order to maintain a full pedaling height.

2. Choose A Wheel Size:

Unlike the frame, wheel size is more of a personal preference. But in most cases, the primary determining factors are the nature of the terrain and the riding conditions. There are two options for a mountain bike: 27.5-inch and 29-inch.

27.5-inch tires make the best choice for aggressive trail and downhill riding. The 29-inch plus size provides a better alternative to rolling over obstacles. It makes the best choice for cross-country and trail riding.

Settle for 29-inch tires if you want to eat up more miles. Plus, consider it if you want to settle for a hardtail. For smashing trails, settle for 27.5-inch.

3. Full Suspension Or Hardtail?

A majority of riders consider a hardtail as the best starting point. But in my opinion, the “bigger” full-suspension is better. Its advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. But depending on the terrain and how much you’re willing to spend, both should be given some consideration.

For instance, consider a hardtail if you plan to ride smoother trails. Also, it makes a better option for a tighter budget. Consider a full suspension mountain bike if you need more comfort and speed for the technical trails. But in doing so, be ready to spend a bit more. Or, you can go for an old fashioned worm gearbox which has relatively low maintenance.

4. Choose Strength Overweight:

For a road bike, going lighter is better. But for a mountain bike, strength is what matters a lot. You want something that can take a beating, maintain steering accuracy and speed, and keep up your confidence. So, a few extra pounds on your mountain bike won’t do harm.

Conclusion:

I hope this article has given useful practical skills and tips on how to choose your first mountain bike. As you do so, keep in mind that the best entry-level mountain bike isn’t complete without the right set of gear. So, consider keeping some budget for glasses, a backpack, and a dedicated trail helmet.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Ford Mustang

Spring’s Favourite Car: The Ford Mustang

For drivers who live in the northern parts of the United States and Canada, there is no season quite like spring. After months of battling icy highways, blizzards, and road salt, the warm weather of spring brings with it the promise of driving fast down highways cleared of snow with the windows down and music on the stereo. For those who own sports cars, the pleasure is even more acute, as most of these drivers take care to store their cars to save them from the degradations of winter. And for classic car heads, nothing compares to that first drive of spring, when everything seems new and the world is aglow with possibility. There is another category of driver, however, that takes pleasure in the spring for different reasons. Pony car drivers who take pleasure in speed above all else welcome spring as an opportunity to be free to take their vehicles out on the drag strip and take them to the limit. And when it comes to racing, no car is quite like the Ford Mustang. If you’re looking forward to hitting the tarmac for some racing this spring, here are some of the reasons why a Mustang is a right car to do it in. Mustangs Offer Better Performance: The Mustang was the first pony car, and since 1964, ripping up the road with a Mustang GT has been a right of passage for North American drivers. It isn’t just that the Mustang is fast — through the more than 700 horsepower that the 2020 Mustang packs brook no argument — it is that the Mustang has been carefully designed for drag strip performance. Unlike their competitors, Ford’s engineers have not simply sought to push the metrics as far as they can go. The 2020 Ford tops out at 180 MPH (twenty fewer than the 2013 Mustang delivered). But given that this car is designed for road tracks and the strip, pushing the car to deliver that extra twenty MPH, which will likely not meaningfully impact the car’s performance, is a strategic move. In a Mustang, Racing Can be Eco-Friendly: For drivers who love racing and who are aware of the damaging environmental impact of burning fossil fuel, their hobby can be cause for soul searching from time to time. How can you justify heating up a big V-8 engine just for fun, when cutting fossil fuel emissions is essential for staving off the worst impacts of climate change? The good news is that Ford now offers and Eco-Boost variant of its famous pony car. While the Eco-Boost doesn’t deliver the same amount of horsepower as the GT would, it makes up for it with the lightness and agility that comes from having a lighter engine. Taking your car out for the first drive of the year is a special feeling. If racing is your thing, getting ready for the first meet offers heart-stopping excitement — and if you’re considering purchasing a new vehicle this spring, there are plenty of reasons to make it a Mustang. Read Also: What Do You Need To Know About Jaguar E-Type? Racing Games And Accidents; Is There A Link? Road Ready: 5 Essential Things To Keep In Your Car 7 Reasons Why Teenagers Pay Extra For Car Insurance

READ MOREDetails
Quad Bike

Are You Thinking About Buying Quad Bike For Your Kid?

Every child's wish is to have one at some point in his childhood. Can you blame them? Just as you look at them, you will realize how exciting they look for us adults let alone that fun that kids imagine having on them. The million-dollar question that haunts most parents is- are they safe as they are impressive? What specifications do you need to know before getting this best birthday gift for your child? Let us give a brief overview of everything regarding these thrilling vehicles. If you are a parent that is concerned about giving your children high-performance machines, you can start with the smaller 49cc quad bike. They are safer and will ensure that your kids get a hang of riding these machines before progressing to bigger and higher displacement machines. Quad bikes for children need to be fun, exciting as well as ensure the maximum amount of security. If the quad bike is satisfying all those parameters, as parents, you need not be worried about them getting injured riding one. Here Is What You Need To Know Before Purchase: In recent years, children's quads have been increasingly successful. A 4 wheeler for 6-year-old will be one of the most memorable things from his childhood regardless of any present that you gave him. These four-wheel vehicles are the passion for motor enthusiasts and outdoor adventures, in any type of terrain. These vehicles are also very beautiful from the aesthetic point of view and we do not find any compromises in terms of design or functionality even though they are produced for children. The manufacturers of vehicles for children have immediately launched many models to amaze our children and their parents. From their earliest age, they have the opportunity to imitate the maneuvers that their father or uncle is able to do with the real quad. We need to take careful consideration of the fact that these machines are very close to being or are identical to the real quad-bikes. There are even models with internal combustion engines, but they are dedicated to older children. Nevertheless, what you are probably interested in are four-wheelers with an electric motor ranging from 6V for smaller kids to 12V models that are able to reach speeds a little higher than every 10-year-old child would give everything to have. Many models follow the lines of the already famous quad bike models. Others replicate the design of automobiles and cars, and there are even models that have designs and colors dedicated only to the girls, while still others have a futuristic look and seem to come out of one of those post-apocalyptic films. In terms of engineering, the smaller quad vehicles come with low-pressure tires, and steering the quad is enabled through manual handlebars. In engineering terms, the smaller quads are quite a marvel in terms of design and handling capabilities. Most of the vehicles on the market for children can be enjoyed and operated by one person only (they are equipped with one seat). However, there are a few optional extras and models where customers can have the extra seat option available. If we are to compare the smaller quads, which have specifically been built for children to enjoy with the quads of their adult counterparts, we find that in addition to enjoying them for adventure sports, adults often use the practical machines for farm use. If you are wondering about how efficient these quad machines are and are somehow concerned about their energy consumption, we would be happy to point out that unlike similar machines for adults, manufacturers engineer the smaller quads in a way, that they consume significantly lesser energy on account of their smaller engines (lesser cubic capacities). The Best “Toy” That Your Child Will Ever Have: Children who are new to the field of riding are usually between 4 and 7 years old, while children with more experience are usually between 8 and 12 years old. While these age groups are merely a consideration, consider your child's experience and level of maturity when driving a vehicle before committing to purchase one. Electric quads maintain a lower throttle and speed limit, with a better driving experience. It is also advisable to check the reliability of the electric brakes, the high-speed locking options, and the padded handlebar, especially for the amateurs. Many kids are more geared towards exploration and adventure than others are. Some of them are even daring enough to take these vehicles out at night to explore newer terrains, and experiences. For such adventurers, manufacturers have armed the machines with nightlights and reflectors that end up guaranteeing not only a more satisfying experience but more importantly, they ensure a far superior level of security. Other important safety features to consider are speed limiters, controlled access through a key ignition, remote control, or switches. Depending on your needs, there are specific models that allow additional add-ons such as an extra seat for the passenger or additional storage space. In the end, I know very well what you might be thinking right now. Since that there is no reason not to buy such an amazing gift for your child if you can afford it, the only worry that you might have is the overall safety of your child while on the road. However, we would like you to remember, that with such safety measures with only one click the bike can be turned off and everything that has been done to improve these machines in the present is oriented to their safety. The most important thing for a parent is to ensure the utmost security for their loved ones. With this in mind, we strongly suggest investing in added accessories and other safety add-ons like helmets, riding gloves, protection pads for the elbows and knees, and any other requirement that would be individually suited to your child. If you really want a child to feel special, a quad bike is definitely going to crown you undisputedly, as the coolest parent in the neighborhood. Read Also: Ways To Improve Children’s Parties How Does It Feel Like Riding A Bike As Your Passenger?

READ MOREDetails
Catalytic Converter Theft

How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

The catalytic converter is an important part of the car that turns the pollutants made from the car into a harmless gas. The converter can take many harmful things like platinum, palladium, and rhodium and then turn them into different gases. While you might not think about this simple part of your car, it’s actually a target for thieves because they can sell it for a large amount of money. If you no longer need your catalytic converter for any reason, Core Masters buys catalytic converters. This guide will cover how to prevent catalytic converter theft as well as explain how to know if your converter has been stolen. How Do I Know If My Catalytic Converter Has Been Stolen? Most of the time, you cannot tell your converter was stolen just by looking at your car. You will probably be able to tell once you start the engine though as the car might make weird noises. When the converter has been removed from the car, the vehicle makes a constant loud roaring noise that becomes louder as you push on the gas pedal. If you drive the car, you will notice it cannot drive smoothly and it will make a weird sputtering noise. Here are some of the other things you can look for when it comes to driving without your converter: Loud roar as you start the car that becomes louder the more you accelerate More exhaust fumes than usual and weird exhaust smells You notice there are missing parts under the car especially the ones that lead to the muffler Acceleration that is sputtering or uneven The check engine light is on or your car fails an engine inspection Read Also: Simplify Parts Pricing With A Comprehensive Solution Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? There are many reasons why people choose to steal catalytic converters. While sometimes you can only get $50 for a converter, there are some that can be sold for thousands of dollars per ounce thanks to the precious metals that are found in them. People that are used to stealing converters can take them in just a few minutes making them easy to steal and get away. It’s an easy way to make quick cash for some people so they take every opportunity they can to ensure they take them. Catalytic Converters also cannot be tracked like other parts of the car. So people that steal it easily get away with it and the person who’s now missing it from their car has no way of getting it back. Are Certain Cars Targeted For Catalytic Converter Theft? Any car that is made after 1974 has a converter so there are many cars out on the road that thieves can target. Most of the time, thieves prefer to steal from taller cars like SUVs and trucks because they can easily go under the car and take the converter. Hybrid cars are also another target because the converters are made with more metal and more precious metals which means they can get a higher value for them when selling. The more precious metals there are in the converter, the more money the thief can get for it so they often go for cars they know that have converters best for selling. Ways To Protect Your Car Against Catalytic Converter Theft Worried about your car’s catalytic converter being stolen? There are plenty of ways you can ensure this doesn’t happen. Most are simple tricks that can be done for free. Know If You’re A Target As stated before, SUVs, trucks, and hybrid cars are all easy targets for catalytic converter theft. If you own one of these cars, you need to ensure you always follow all safety tips because you know your car’s converter can be stolen easier. Knowing that your target makes it easier to keep yourself safe and be aware of the signs that your converter has been stolen. Put Your VIN On The Converter There is no way to track a catalytic converter, so if yours is stolen it’s almost impossible to retrieve it back. This is why some people choose to put their VIN or their license plate number on their converter. This way if someone goes to sell it, the person buying it might check if the person trying to sell it to them is the original owner. If they are not, they can contact authorities and say they think the converter has been stolen. Park In Well Lit Areas Every time you park your car or go somewhere, make sure you park near the street lights. You should also try and park as close to the entrance of places as possible. If you park in an apartment complex, try to park in different areas every time so that people do not target your car as being in the same place. Install Cameras If you can, put cameras in your parking lot or outside your home. This allows people to know you have surveillance and they will be deterred from stealing the converter because they know they can be caught more easily. You can also install motion sensor lights so that every time someone walks by, the light turns on. This makes people feel like they are being watched and they will not want to get too close to your car. Paint Your Converter This often deters buyers because it makes the converter less valuable. Painting is also known as a common technique for avoiding theft so if a person tries to sell a painted converter, it looks more suspicious. Some police departments even let you go into their station and paint your converter for free. Catalytic Converters And Thieves Unfortunately, converters are easy to steal making them an easy target for those looking to make a quick buck. When your converter is stolen, you can even spend up to $3000 replacing it. This is why it’s very important to use the tips in this guide to prevent your converter from being stolen. You also need to ensure your car is insured against catalytic converter theft so that you are never stuck paying for a new out-of-pocket. Read Also: Selling Collectibles: A Guide to Selling Your Memorabilia at Auctions Here’s What Makes Package Units Better than the Other ACs

READ MOREDetails