How To – How to Buy a Mountain Bike

How to buy a Mountain Bike

Now that you have decided to make the plunge and start biking, of course, (no, please do not laugh) you need to buy a bicycle.  Obviously, the big question is “Which One?”  As you will find out – there are many different brands and different types of mountain bikes – so you will need to get some good pointers from fellow bikers (via the Web) and good advice from your local bike pro-shop

I personally have done this a number of times with mountain bikes and thought to get in one place a bunch of videos on various users’ experiences and recommendations.  YouTube is great for that!  So with a thank you to all of you who have uploaded your advice, here they are:

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3 thoughts on “How To – How to Buy a Mountain Bike

  1. As mentioned, going for a entry level bike with a Sora or Tiagra gpuroo is good for recreational riders that really don’t plan on heavy training or becoming more involved in the sport. The problem I see here is that you are 15; meaning you are still growing and will probably have a growth spurt. This lends itself to the problem of frame sizing (depending on how tall you are now).My suggestion for bikes:For more serious biking Trek2.1 or 2.3 (cost from 1,400$ 1,700$ Canadian) but comes with a 105/tiagra andfull 105 gpuroo, respectively, with carbon fiber fork and seat stays.- Giant TCR Alliance A1 (cost 1,600$ CND) with mixed composite aluminum/carbon composite frame/fork and 105 gpuroo.-Cannondale CAAD9 R5 (1,600$ CND), mixed 105/ultegra gpuroo, carbon fork and top notch aluminum frame.For more recreational riding: trek 1.0 or 1.2 (1000$), sora/tiagra mix, carbon fork, aluminum frame.- Giant TCR (1200-1300$ CND) full tiagra gpuroo.- Giant OCR series (800 1300) ranges from sora to 105 gpuroo, but with more upright seating position and compact frame.Just have a drop by your local bike shop, and they can fit you with something reasonable. But, in my opinion, the new 105 10 speed is probably one of the best gpuroos for that price range and will last you a long time. Some of my fellow club members even race with 105 and do fine. Join your local bike club and participate in events. Don’t buy a bike thinking you will upgrade it’s components, it will cost your a lot more in the end.Regards,A.

  2. We are planning to rerite in Iowa City and are thrilled to find this website (Bicyclist of Iowa City). We spend many weekends here and went out on our bikes this past one and found we could not figure out the web of lovely bike paths near Dubuque St. on the north side of I-80. We found a map at the Coralville Public Library but found it not detailed enough once we were out on the paths. Are there any plans for signage along the paths? Is there something we can do, as we plan to join the Johnson County Bicycle Club, to help with supporting signage?Thank you for this healthy and social option for new reritees in Iowa City!

  3. Apparently it’s more comfortable than a road bike, and won’t be diicffult to get used to. I’m not overly sure about that. I suppose it’s got a much more upright riding position than most road bikes which might help you feel more comfortable. Sadly your also sat much higher up (higher bottom bracket) than on a road bike and the cantilever brakes arn’t as good as a road bikes duel pivot brakes. It is worth trying a road bike as well be (although you couldn’t really ride trails with one), before you hand over your hard earned cash. When you pick up the bike you might like to get those tyres swapped there and then for something slightly more suitable for road only use and the Machester 100. It will make a long distance road ride MUCH easier. (Ultra gators 700x25s? )btw, don’t worry about Cyclo-x races. They are REALLY friendly and lap based so you will never be riding on your own / made to feel unwelcome. Also no matter how slow you think you are there’s probably someone slower!

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