From the heighest mountain paths to America's highways Mountain Bikes are one of the most versatile transportation vehicles in the world.  No matter what you're looking for a Mountain Bike is a great way to get around town, enjoy nature, and get some great excersize all at the same time.  This guide aims to provide the prospective buyer with the knowledge needed to buy the right bike for them, and how to make sure that bike lasts as long as they need. The main focus of the guide is on Hardtail Mountain Bikes (those with only front suspension) but there will be a brief look at some common alternatives such as Rigid (no suspension) and Full Suspension (rear and front shocks).

Best Mountain Bikes

Diagrams

Mountain Bike Types

Cross Country - the all around most balanced bike for the average user.  Cross Country is the name that is given to traditional Mountain Bikes used for riding on trails and commuting to work.  There are many different manufacturers and price points for this style, but they all have front suspension as a standard feature, and come in 24 and 27 speed varieties.


All Mountain - also known as Enduro bikes, All Mountains are a more aggressive general purpose Mountain Bike than their Cross Country small brothers.  With their full suspension setup and light weight frames these bikes can handle any kind of terrain, no matter how rough and rocky.  All Mountains are for riders that take the sport very seriously and may even compete, because of this the components are of much higher quality, and the bikes overall are far more expensive.



Freeride - a more specialized type of bike that is used for very specific and particular kinds of riding.  These bikes are suited mainly to those who compete or are very serious about either dirtjumping or downhill riding, and are not very suitable for general trails.  A heavy frame that angles low at the seat (known as low profile) and a very long fork are the trademark characteristics of Freeride Mountain Bikes.

Frames

Material

Steel
Aluminum
Titanium
Carbon Fiber

Geometry

How the geometry affects the way the bike handles, and what to look for

Parts

A detailed look at each component

• What the component does
• Different types of the component
  
• Who makes the best part
  
• How to maintain the part

Bar Ends

Bottom Brackets

Brakes - Disc

Brakes - Non-Disc

Brake Boosters

Brake Levers

Brake Pads

Cables

Cassettes

Chains

Chain Rings

Chain Guides

Component Grouppos

Cranksets

Derailleurs

Forks

Grips

Handlebars

Headsets

Hubs

Pedals

Rear Shocks

Rims

Saddles

Skewers

Seatposts

Shifters

Shock Upgrades

Spokes

Stems

Tires

Tubes

Wheelsets