Buying a mountain bike online is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be a mistake as long as you know what you’re getting into. Don’t be fooled by appealing advertising and great looking bikes, however. It doesn’t matter how good the mountain bike is. If it doesn’t fit, you won’t enjoy riding it. Your first task is to learn about mountain bikes before you begin shopping, including the important factors in making an informed decision. In the final analysis, buying a mountain bike represents a long term investment.

First, get a good professional fitting, to tell you what type and size of bike is best for you. These may be free, or they may cost you up to seventy-five dollars. However, in the end, they’re worth it. Any good bike shop that you get a fitting from won’t pressure you to buy there.

Once you know what your size and ideal frame type is, start looking at mountain bike brands and features you like. These days there are a great deal of options available, and learning about these is essential. Decide what kind of frame material you like best (steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon are the most common, with steel and aluminum often being the best deal). You can find much useful information about mountain bike purchases at this discussion about top mountain bikes.

Determine what kind of suspension is being included – no suspension, front and rear suspension or just front? More suspension costs a bit more, but it also gives you a gentler ride. Next turn your consideration to brands that appeal to you. While you shouldn’t buy entirely on the basis of brand name, those with good records such as Trek, Specialized and Cannondale aren’t a bad place to start. One thing you can be sure of is that a proven brand like Specialized Mountain Bikes will provide you years of good service.

Online you’ll find a number of bike retailers, as well as a wide variety of mountain bikes being offered both by retailers and individuals on eBay. Buying bikes on eBay requires a bit of caution. Pay close attention to the condition of the bike, the feedback about the seller, and the shipping and handling costs. Also, remember that many Ebay sellers can make mistakes in measurements, and that your bike might arrive with damage or wear that you weren’t expecting. If you exercise some caution, you can save a lot of money on an otherwise expensive mountain bike purchase, by paying close attention to the bike’s condition and the nature of seller feedback and shipping and handling costs.

On the other hand, buying from an online bike retailer may prove to be a little safer. It’s always important to check up on the online store and make sure that they’re reliable, too. Know your bike retailer’s return policies, too, and see if there’s a warranty. If a warranty is available, it’s a good idea to buy it. That will act as an extra safety net for your new mountain bike.

1. Which Full Suspension Mountain Bike
2. Buy Your Child A Giant Mountain Bike
3. All About Mountain Bikes
4. Picking The Best Mountain Bike Forks
5. GT Mountain Bikes

FreshAire