HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKE

By John McKenzie

How do you like to keep fit? Some hit the gym, some hit the pool, some hit the track. Some do all three. If you prefer the feel of pedals under your feet, then you know that mountain biking is another effective way to keep fit.

As a low-impact sport, mountain biking gets your heart rate up, while minding joint health. It improves balance and coordination. And it gets you out into nature for a Vitamin D boost. Mountain biking clearly supports the work firefighters do. But have you chosen the best bike to optimize the benefits of your two-wheeled workout? 

There are five main styles of mountain biking: cross-country, trail, all-mountain/enduro, freeride/downhill and fat biking. Cross-country bikes are built to prioritize speed as you negotiate trails and emphasize endurance and fitness. Trail bikes are useful for rougher terrain and are built for shorter, more technical rides. All-mountain/enduro bikes are, according to mec.ca, “like turning the trail riding knob up to 11.” They’re hardier, intended to carry riders over extremely rough terrain while being timed. Downhill/freeride bikes are built to get to the bottom of hills as fast as possible. Fat biking utilizes comically wide tires to provide traction on unstable surfaces like mud, sand, gravel and snow.

Once you know the type of mountain biking you want to do, the next important factor is fit. These days, bikes generally come in small, medium and large, according to rider height. This sizing approach is now more or less consistent among brands, although there is variation. Fit is important because it influences the feel of the bike, how easy it is to control and posture. A poor fitting bike can be hard to control and hurt your back and neck. A well-fitting bike will be fun to ride. It’s best to determine fit in-store. Did you know store staff will help size your bike? Did you know that bikes are often available to test ride? Don’t be afraid to utilize these benefits to get the best riding experience you can. 

What about bike features? What, if any, suspension do you need? What about wheel size, frames, gears, brakes? It seems there are endless ways to customize a bike. Keep in mind that customizing a bike is all about trade-offs between benefits and drawbacks. While suspension, gears and frame material can all enhance your ride, they also all add to the bike’s overall weight, it’s weight you’ll have to lug up hills in addition to your own. Proceed wisely.

Maintenance and safety are important. You’ll want a basic repair kit; think spare tubes, patch kit, pump, and multi-tool. For safety, body armour and mountain biking shoes are available, but most important is to wear a proper helmet, geared to riding type. Now get out there and hit the trails!

Photo By Sasha Volga