Selecting the perfect mountain bike can be a daunting process for anyone especially with all the styles that are available. While it can be confusing at first, the whole selection process can be made easier if you ask yourself some crucial questions. What am I looking for in a bike? What do I need it for? Can I afford it?

Once you get the questions running, the first answer should address the issue of what are you planning to do with your bike. Knowing your purpose of getting a mountain bike is important in picking what type of bike you are going to need. If you plan to use your bike on off-road trails and leap from ledges, then you will need a full-suspension bike with the most recent and best mountain bike components.

Unless you are really into daring stuff, then you might want something else. If you want a bike that you cant take to the city and off to the mountains, the your best bet is the hybrid mountain bike. This type of bike can take travel easily whether on off-road trail or the city streets.

If you are on a tight budget, then you could go for low-end mountain bikes. But do not expect great and comfortable rides with this kind of bike. The thing with cheap mountain bikes is that they sport hard tails with no suspension. That means you are in for some bumpy rides unless you switch to middle range mountain bikes.

Another tip you could use when picking a mountain bike is that you need to act on the process as if you are buying a pair of sneakers. If the sneakers do not fit you, do not cash out on it. The same attitude can be valid when it comes to picking a mountain bike.

Some mountain bikes are priced as much as $50,000 and they are integrated with the latest in mountain bike technology, from the brakes to the suspension. But if your inner self tells you the bike does not fit you, then go with your inner self, even if you have the money. Sometimes it is best that you follow with your guts than jump on wagon and follow the trend.

If you are still somewhat at lost with all the styles of mountain bikes available, just ask for some experts to help you out. Go to the local bike shop and tell the pros of your specifications and they’d be more than willing to guide you throughout. Once you find the perfect mountain bike, then enjoy it. Otherwise, just do some tweaks and adjustments and you’ll be fine.

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A mountain bike is something that cannot work to its optimum potential if you do not have the right tires. The type of tires that you must attach to your bike depends heavily on the purpose you having a bike in the first place. That said, you must have the right kind of tires because they have a consequential effect on your safety as well as performance.

The terrain you will encounter with your bike is also a factor in selecting the perfect tires. Virtually, bikes used for racing and cycling have different tires compared to bikes used for door-to-door delivery. Performance and terrain should mesh well when you pick your tires.

When picking your tires, you must also know whether you want tubeless or the standard inflatable types. Which one do you go for is a question you must also consider when picking tires for your mountain bike. Study your options carefully, as well as your finances, since money is also an important factor in this selection.

The tubeless tires are quite popular in the professional circles. Brands like Michelin and Mavic’s UST are top choices as they take on rugged terrains and rocky trails. Without a doubt, tubeless tires are great for downhill roads and bogs.

While a lot of benefits can be said about tubeless tires, they do have flaws. One is that they are way expensive. And two, they are a bit heavy, which makes them a liability for events that require speed and fast riding times.

On the other hand, standard tires may not be as tough as their tubeless counterparts, but they also have a lot to offer to the table. Flexibility is one attribute standard tires are known for. They are also lighter and come in a lot treads and designs. That means you have a lot of options that will suit your riding style.

All that said, standard inflatable tires also have their disadvantages. Vulnerability to punctures, the need for an air pump, and maintenance costs are just some of the disadvantages of the standard tires. When picking your tires, weigh the pros and cons and pick one that fits your style and your budget the best.

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Saracen road racing bikes have seen massive success in recent years and they continue to be a main player in the market. Their ranges offer a perfect bike for everyone.  The performance is way ahead of the competition in many aspects such as the brand new compact geometry frames with custom butted and fully shaped tubing which are enhanced with carbon forks on the top four models to give a super responsive, featherweight ride.

Their mountain bikes are designed to deliver maximum enjoyment for every mile of trail. Models are lightweight and boast agile frame sets to increase control.

Madison, UK distributors for Shimano, acquired the Saracen brand in April, and they’re intent on resurrecting the Saracen name by designing new bikes and sponsoring top riders. They will be selling the range only through independent bike shops.

The Saracen Ruftrax series is at the core of Saracen’s mountain bike philosophy - they are high performance bikes that are light, lively and totally involving to ride. The Ruftrax range is engineered to be the perfect entry point for serious rough riding.

Key features of the Ruftrax range are as follows:

• Performance 7005 T6 aluminium frame
• SR Suntour M2000 suspension forks with 50mm travel
• Shimano 21 speed gear system with TX50 thumbshifters
• XC-S alloy rims with alloy quick release hubs
• Alloy chainset fitted to a sealed cartridge bottom bracket

Children are well catered for in the Saracen ranges as well. Their junior models are scaled-down versions of the adult bikes having 50mm Suntour forks, Shimano shifting and Saracen-branded grips, stem and bars.

Saracen mountain bikes offer the best value for money British bicycles and have always had a great reputation for affordable quality. Their new range of bikes is great in all respects. There is no other UK make of bicycle available that offers such amazing specifications for such a cheap price!

Boys bikes are smaller and come in a variety of different sizes usually from 12 - 26 inches (saddle from the ground).

When choosing a boys mountain bike there are some key points to consider. The bike should fit the rider properly - this makes a great difference to the comfort and safety of your child’s ride. Children should also never ride without their helmet - this is properly the most important piece of biking equipment after purchasing the right bike.

The choice for a boys mountain bike generally falls between a cross country or a hard tail bike. These bikes are able to travel over the toughest of terrains even as a beginner. Most quality boys’ mountain bikes will have trigger shift gears, which are easier and more convenient for children. You may also want to invest in a bike with a light frame. Carbon fibre frames are extremely light. These types of frames are highly durable and an excellent choice because of their strength and weight.

Some of the top of the range boys bikes are made by manufacturers such as Schwinn and Mongoose.

The Mongoose Maxim 24 inch boys’ mountain bike is ready to ride on and off the trail with its aluminium dual suspension frame. It’s equipped with 21-speed SRAM gear shifting and front and rear linear pull brakes.

The Schwinn Midi Mesa 24 inch boys’ mountain bike is state of the art when it comes to mountain bikes. The 24 inch heated aluminium alloy frame is strong and lightweight. The 21-speed Hyperglide shifting system will help kids keep up with any adult and the linear pull brakes will make sure they stop dead when needed. The frames come in various colours and the design is unique. Boys will love them.

Whichever bike your child prefers, you can be assured most boys mountain bikes are now made to be safe to ride with high quality materials but affordable. Hours of family fun can be enjoyed once the right bike is selected.

Mountain bikes can be divided into four main types based on suspension, listed below:

• Fully rigid - A frame with a rigid fork and either fixed rear suspension, or no suspension.
• Hard tail - A frame with front suspension but no rear suspension.
• Soft tail - A frame with a small amount of rear suspension, activated by the flex of the frame instead of pivots.
• Dual or full suspension - A front suspension fork and rear suspension with a rear shock.

There are many different styles of mountain bikes available - of these the most popular include Cross Country (XC), All Mountain (AM), Trail Bikes and Freeride bikes. Key features of these are listed below:

• Cross country (XC) mountain bikes are usually lightweight and only have a small amount of front and/or rear suspension. They are intended to use on climbs and have quick turning abilities.
• Trail Bikes are a mixture of Cross country and All Mountain bikes. They are good all round bikes for all elements of mountain biking.
• All Mountain Bikes offer fantastic suspension travel. They are designed to be able to ascend mild to moderate inclines and descend steep declines. These bikes are perfect for all levels of rider, adults or children.
• Freeride Bikes are similar to downhill bikes. They are built to focus on strength rather than weight. They have good suspension and are built from strong, heavy material. They are extremely good for riding technically downhill.

The choice of which mountain bike to invest in firstly comes down to personal preference of riding style. You must decide how you want to spend time on your bike. Do you want to ride smooth flowing trails, climb big mountains, ride stunts, descend technical downhill courses, or just have all around fun? There are plenty of mens mountain bikes covering all of these options so you just need to find one that feels right for you,  that is within your budget.

Since the company’s formation they have been designing and producing some of the finest, toughest, and most desirable mountain bikes around. Today, their range also includes road bikes, commuters, and a range of mountain bikes just for women. And not just their best sellers in pastels, but designs specifically for women, with geometry and sizing suited to their needs.

The bikes themselves are a combination of new technology and old-world craftsmanship, brought to life by a company where cycling is more than a passion, it’s a way of life. Bikes like the Slayer or Flatline could only have been designed by someone dreaming about the perfect bike, and then given the means to make it reality.

Rocky Mountain is based in Vancouver, Canada, where you will find their headquarters and their main production site. Their R&D facility is located right beside the factory. The company is keen to point out they are not a mass production operation. They hand build all of their bicycles in their range and also the wheels. They invest heavily in quality control and have high construction standards also using brand quality tubing and name brand components to build their bikes.

Each year the company hosts the Rocky Mountain Bicycle Show in the U.S. At these events visitors get the opportunity to see the finest custom frame-builders, production bike manufacturers, sports nutrition experts plus components and accessory companies. Attendance also helps support the efforts of Bicycle Colorado and Bike Denver, leading advocates for bicycle safety and awareness.

Rocky Mountain bikes are designed particularly for extreme mountain biking. They are usually ridden on dirt trails and many other unpaved surfaces. When compared to road bicycles they are better and rugged enough for the unfriendly terrain.

Throughout the 80’s and 90’s Muddy Fox was the bike to be seen on. Everyone wanted to have one. It was always a bike ahead of the competition and usually the brand bringing new ideas to the sport. The brand specialised in mountain bikes but also other flat bar bicycles. The company produced BMX bikes in the 1980s before the slump later on forced them to switch to mountain bike production, which they have stuck to ever since. They also produce Silver Fox to sell to big box retailers such as Argos.

Muddy Fox is now owned by Universal Cycles Plc, and all the bikes are designed and developed at their headquarters in Essex, England. The company prides themselves on producing high quality bikes that will suit all levels of riders.

The Muddy Fox ranges cover mountain bikes, road bikes and a specific range for women. The range covers the entire spectrum from the city user to the out and out downhill racer. With its history going back to the mid 1980’s Muddy Fox remains the original and still the best loved mountain bike brand.

Key bikes in the Muddy Fox range include the following:

Muddy Fox Tombstone Hardtail Mountain Bike

Designed to be out on the trails all day, the Muddy Fox Tombstone features geometry that has been tailored for comfort, and features hydro-formed tubing for strength. Over-sized chain and seat stays with extra mud-clearance are specially designed for riding in the UK.

Dual Suspension Range - Medusa Mountain Bike

The new full-suspension frame uses some of the latest technologies to help you iron-out rocks and bumps on the trail. Asymmetrical chainstays strengthen the rear triangle and sealed bearings at the pivot point reduce friction and wear to moving parts.

Within the Muddy Fox mountain bikes range, there is definitely something for everyone!

Bike pedals come in three main types: clipless, cage and platform. Bike pedals make up possibly the most important connection between you and your bike. Getting the right one is imperative to enhance the enjoyment of your ride.

Each type of pedal is discussed in more detail below:

• Clipless

For the average trail rider clipless bike pedals are the best choice. You snap your foot into place on the pedal. A quick side rotation of the foot releases the connection allowing you to get off the bike or put a foot down.

These bike pedals provide a very stable connection to the bike that allows you to pedal more efficiently. These pedals hold your foot to the pedal even in rough terrain and they make it easier to jump over obstacles.

• Cage

The second most common bike pedal type is the toe-clip or cage style bike pedal. They are usually only found on lower end bikes because they are cheaper for the manufacturer. With cage style bike pedals you slip your foot into a cage with a strap that adjusts around the top of your foot.

Cage style bike pedals are slightly harder to get in and out of than clipless style pedals and are not nearly as efficient.

• Platform

Platform bike pedals are very popular among free riders, downhillers, and dirt jumpers but are by no means exclusive to these ride categories. These types of pedals have no attachment between the foot and the pedal. They are designed to provide a good amount of grip between the pedal and the shoe but that is all you get.

Platform bike pedals offer instant removal of the foot for any reason and with no obstructions. This makes platform bike pedals ideal for beginners as well as for riders who want to be able to put a foot down often or very quickly.

When deciding which mountain bike pedals to invest in the advice is easy - if you want to do a lot of mountain biking and you will not be in high risk situations where you might need a foot available very quickly get clipless bike pedals. Use platforms if you are going to ride stunts or any other high stakes terrain. Platforms are also great for beginners who aren’t ready to make the move to clipless and for riders who simply like a little extra freedom.

As the sport can be highly dangerous no matter what level of rider you are insurance supports you whether the fault for damage or injury be yours or someone else’s.

Individuals and groups travelling abroad on mountain bikes should take a travel insurance policy that understands the sport and risks involved. For example, reputable insurance companies offer benefits such as medical expenses, repatriation, search and rescue, and where required baggage and personal affects.

Many insurance companies offer mountain biking instructors insurance, which covers public liability for instructors and coaches. This type of insurance is imperative when instructing a sport such as mountain biking. The insurance also covers mountain bike clubs.

If you actively ride your mountain bike you should look to buy insurance to insure against accidental damage, theft and loss, as well as offering public liability cover as an option.

If you race, you must check that your mountain bike insurance doesn’t exclude competitive events or racing. According to British Cycling (2002), mountain biking is the third most popular way of participating in a cycle sport, with road racing and time trials being first and second respectively.

One very popular way to enjoy using your mountain bike is to take it abroad - not just within Europe but places like the USA and Canada have extensive mountain biking areas with a number of providers offering dedicated mountain biking holidays. Naturally if you’re going abroad with your bike, you’ll need specialist insurance. Many cycle insurers and most home contents cover will not insure you or your mountain bike outside of the UK, so check or use a specialist insurance company.

Mountain biking is a very physical sport. Mountain bike insurance includes personal accident cover so you will be covered should you or your bike suffer accidental damage. With the right cover mountain biking can be the safest and most enjoyable sport there is!

Bike Body Armour

• Good body armour includes shin guards and elbow pads. They are necessity items for rough mountain bike rides.

Cycling Base Layers

• Cycling base layers are essential to get the best performance out of your waterproof jacket. They are also a comfortable base layer to wear instead of a traditional cycle jersey. They ensure perspiration is kept away from your skin and transferred through your jacket’s breathable membrane, keeping you dry and comfortable.

Cycling Gloves

• Cycling Gloves are another essential piece of your cycle clothing wardrobe. They not only protect your hands but also increase the comfort factor of your bike rides.

Cycling Jackets

• Cycling Jackets are available in many different fabrics. Characteristics of all of these are that they are breathable and waterproof. They also come in high visibility colours, which are ideal for city commuters.

Cycling Jerseys

• Cycling Jerseys are either long sleeved or short sleeved and are perfect to be worn on their own or to be worn as part of a layering system.

Cycling Shorts

• Cycling Shorts come in various styles. They can be both lycra and baggy in fit. If there is one piece of cycle clothing that makes a huge difference to the comfort level during your cycle trips it’s a good pair of cycling shorts. Buy a good pair of cycle shorts and they will last you for years.

Cycling Trousers

• Cycling trousers are essential items of clothing for mountain biking. They are comfortable and protect you from the elements. Most also have the benefit of re-enforced panels and stitching plus articulation around the knee for freedom of movement.

Reflective Cycle Gear

• This type of clothing is needed by anyone who commutes through the city or down dark country roads. Being safe is an important part of riding in the city.

There are excellent clothing ranges on offer when choosing cycle gear. Good mountain bike clothes are easy to find and offered at fantastic prices. Once an investment has been made in a top of the range bike, good quality clothing should follow.