Even if you have no desire to climb mountains, a mountain bike can be a great investment. Mountain bikes are tough. They have a suspension system that makes for a comfortable ride, and the thick, wide tires are less likely to slip than the slimmer tires of a cruiser bike, particularly on wet roads. Mountain bikes have alloy frames that are strong and lightweight. They're definitely not just for climbing mountains. Three great reasons for buying a mountain bike are for the great exercise you get, the fuel you save by traveling by bike instead of car, and the lack of environmental impact that a bike makes compared to a car.
Riding a bike is great exercise. Not only do you strengthen the legs, but you also develop better cardiovascular health. A mountain bike with several speeds will allow you to adapt to your particular fitness level. Bicycling is also kinder to joints than higher impact exercises like aerobics or running. Place the seat of your mountain bike high enough so that your legs almost fully extend with each pedaling cycle. And of course, bicycling gets leg muscles into shape. You can start out on flat terrain, then add speed and varied terrain as your legs become stronger. It is a good idea to stretch both before and after riding your mountain bike.
Many people are in the habit of taking their car even on the shortest errands. There may be errands that are too far to walk to complete, but that are well within cycling distance. There are many types of baskets and nylon carriers that easily attach to the front or rear of your mountain bike that can easily hold a few groceries. Because urban areas are often fairly flat, getting around by bicycle can often be faster than getting around by car. You do have to be careful of traffic, so it is vital to buy a helmet that fits and that is easy to put on and take off.
In an age when energy is expensive and people want to cut back on use of natural resources, biking makes even more sense. You can burn a lot of fuel just from short trips around town. All that carbon dioxide emitted by automobiles really adds up, and many scientific experts believe that carbon dioxide emitted from cars is a major contributor to global climate change. When you ride your mountain bike rather than drive your car, you don't contribute to environmental damage. Bicycling is one of the most efficient carbon-neutral forms of transportation.
If you are considering getting a bicycle, whether for exercise, to save on energy costs, or to lower your environmental impact, you should consider getting a mountain bike. Mountain bikes are made to be tough, and they have wider tires that grip the road better and are less likely to slip on wet surfaces. With the right sized mountain bike, a helmet, and perhaps a basket or nylon carrying bag attached to the handlebars or frame, you'll not only get in shape, you'll be conserving resources and you'll have more money in your pocket from buying less gas for your car.
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. Be wary, however, of buying the first bike that has that appealing look. Appearances from a picture can be deceiving, and what you really need to know is whether the bike is a good fit for you. Your first task is to learn about mountain bikes before you begin shopping, including the important factors in making an informed decision.
First, get a good professional fitting, to tell you what type and size of bike is best for you. While there may be some cost required, up to seventy-five dollars, you'll have assurance that you can make the correct choice. Any good bike shop that you get a fitting from won't pressure you to buy there.
When you've finished with determining the sort of frame and size you need, you'll want to begin looking at mountain bike brands and the variety of features offered. Browse a lot, and learn as much about every kind of bike as you can.
You'll want to settle on the type of material you want in the fame, (aluminum, steel, carbon fiber or titanium being the most common, although steel and aluminum are less costly). You can find much useful information about mountain bike purchases at this discussion about top mountain bikes.
Think about brands that appeal to you. While the ultimate decision may not be based on brand name, it's a good idea to begin evaluation with proved names such as Specialized, Cannondale and Trek. One thing you can be sure of is that a proven brand like Cannondale Mountain Bikes will provide you years of good service.
There are two basic places you might buy your mountain bike on the Internet. The first is a bike retailer. The second is from a bike store or private individual on a site like Ebay. Pay close attention to the condition of the bike, the feedback about the seller, and the shipping and handling costs.
Return policies can be tricky, and individual sellers can misrepresent their bikes, intentionally or not. Pay close attention to the condition of the bike, the feedback about the seller, and the shipping and handling costs and you can really save money shopping for a mountain bike on eBay.
You might be a little safer purchasing from an established online retailer. Check up as well on any online bike shop to see if they're reliable. Check return policies, and be sure to get a warranty if one's available. A warranty, if available, may be a sensible purchase to give you a little extra safety on your mountain bike purchase.
Both Alex Gwen Thomson & Robert Cooksey are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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