I remember getting out of the shop with a smile on my face as the staff hauled my newly purchased bike in to the back of the car. It had 26-inch wheels, a white steel frame, spring loaded shock absorbers and the most convenient part, a kick stand.
I rode around the neighborhood to test out my newly purchased bike. I enjoyed the familiar breeze on my face reminiscent of my BMX days while I pedaled along the first 200 meters.
And then the rear derailleur fell off…
Buying your very first mountain bike can be very tricky these days.
There are a lot of “standards” that came out in the past few years that ads up to the confusion when buying your first mountain bike. Wheel sizes vary, the wide array of parts, and the different types according to your preferred discipline are things to look out for. Budget is still the main consideration and these days, you have to be very careful not to get a knockoff.
Looking back to my story, I was convinced by the salesperson to purchase a mountain bike in their shop when they offered me one which is half the price compared to a base model in a nearby bike shop. Thinking that I could do away with cheap parts, I sealed the deal for 6,000php. (Which is still expensive for the actual value of the bike.)
I returned the bike to get the rear derailleur replaced. They didn’t have a warranty so they told me to buy a new one for only 250php. (Yes, that cheap! Little knowledge can be very dangerous.)
After 3 months of pushing that hideous thing around the neighborhood, the cheap plastic pedals broke…
Grumbling in frustration, I did a thorough research and eventually got familiar with the parts, different brands, and the actual pricing in the market. I couldn’t help but swear at the idea of the salesperson persuading me to buy this “Specialized” knockoff.
So you want to have a taste of the outdoors on two wheels? Here are the 10 things to know when buying your first mountain bike.
1. Know your size
Just like any pair of shoes, mountain bike frames have different sizes. an incorrectly sized bike will strain your body and ruin the overall riding experience. Comfort is one of the things that cyclists are looking for. The more comfy you are, the longer you will enjoy the rides.
| Your Height | Bike frame size | Size in description |
|---|---|---|
| 4'11" - 5'3" | 13 - 15 inches | Small |
| 5'3" - 5'7" | 15 to 17 inches | Small - Medium |
| 5'7" - 5'11" | 17 to 19 inches | Medium |
| 5'11" - 6'2" | 19 to 21 inches | Large |
| 6'2" - 6'4" | 21 to 23 inches | Extra Large |
2. Invest in a good helmet
What I learned during my longboarding days was to buy a helmet first before a longboard. I believe this should also be applied when buying your first mountain bike. (Or buy both in one go.)
I always believe that helmets save lives, believe me, my skull is still in place because my helmet took the worst beating when I had a fatal crash. Accidents may happen to anyone regardless of your skill level so always invest in your own protection.
The good thing is you can get a good helmet even with a decent price. Remember to always buy one from a reputable bike shop.
3. Look around in different local bike shops
Mall dude 1: “Sir, this one is great quality because the frame is made of alloy.”
Mall dude 2: “Disc brake na yan sir!”
Me: *Yeah, and so are other bikes in the market these days since the last five years.*
The problem with buying bikes from some general sports retailers in shopping malls and groceries are the substandard parts that come with the bike. It is true that you can get an affordable one but it will not be made for the beating for a long period of time. It may be decent enough for some quick neighborhood riding but it may get smashed to bits along those technical trails.
To get an affordable bike with original parts, look around in your local bike shop. The staff is knowledgable when it comes to everything cycling and they willingly answer customers’ questions. Most are honest and helpful.
Another reason to head straight to the bike shop is you’ll find bikes with original parts at an affordable price. You will be surprised with the quality of entry level parts these days.
4. Check your budget and ask for a quote
You can choose between a pre-built bike or purchase the parts that you prefer and assemble it on the same day. There are pros an cons between these two.
Built bikes are usually cheaper but you will get a mix of entry level to mid range parts in order for the shop to sell at a lower cost.
Asking for specific parts to be assembled on the other hand will set you back a couple of PHPs more because you will purchase each parts on retail. There is also a tendency to chose one model per groupset which may also increase the price point.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a quotation according to your budget. Ask the staff to break the parts down on paper and calculate the prices.
5. Know what type of riding you prefer
Mountiain biking comes in different types of discipline. These are the four popular styles ever since:
- Cross-Country (XC): Lightweight and fast. Has a reputation of being the “Road bike of mountain biking” due to its racey geometry. This can be used in rough roads and foresty trails, fire roads, and singletracks. Beginner bikes usually fall under this category and the cyclists can then upgrade eventually.
- Trail: There is a fine line between XC and trail that brings confusion even to experienced riders since most manufacturers market their bikes as both. Generally trail bikes have rear shock absorbers, burlier suspension forks with slightly longer stanchions to withstand rougher off-road rides.
- Enduro: Usually a full suspension bike (frames that also have rear shock absorbers) with longer suspension travel compared to trail bikes. It also has a slacker head tube angle, higher bottom brackets and a larger wheel base (distance between the front and rear axles). Enduro bikes have heavier duty parts than trail bikes for the bigger jumps and heavy drops.
- Downhill: This is designed for the more advanced and extreme cyclists. Dashing downwards at lightning fast speeds while maintaining an excellent amount of coordination and balance. Bikes have larger rotors for braking power, and longer suspension forks. Riders wear full-face helmets, body armor, and pads to protect their limbs.
There are others that you can explore like fat bikes, plus bikes, dirt jumps, and bike packing. Beginner friendly bikes usually fall under cross-country or trail for casual rides or longer adventures. Full suspension frames are more expensive.
6. Expensive doesn’t mean fast
Just like any other things, you pay a hefty amount of premium and the returns diminish. Take buying a camera for instance; an entry level unit can also take good photos versus the higher-end ones. You’ll just pay for the extra megapixels, some bells and whistles like dual card slots and weather sealing. Sure it will be better but the price point will be steeper. In the end, it’s in the hands of the user.
Buying a mountain bike that costs twice as much will not make you twice as fast. You’ll have an advantage when it comes to weight, comfort, and some bling but the budget should also be considered. (I for one buy some top of the line parts but I get them second hand.)
7. The wheel sizes
There are three standards when it comes to mountain bike wheel sizes. Here it is:
- 26″: I prefer this size due to its twitchiness in the trails and how you’re getting a lower center of gravity. I’m shorter side of the chart so maneuvering a 26″ mountain bike is a breeze for me.
Contrary to popular belief, 26″ is not dead yet. There are still shops that sells these and spares can be bought almost anywhere.
- 27.5″ (650b): Most mountain bikes come in this wheel size. It’s in between so you get the best of both worlds. Playful and still flicky along the trails, and fast rolling in singletracks and rough roads.
- 29″ (29er): Dubbed as the “Wagon wheels”, 29ers have a reputation of being convenient in bumpy terrains, trails riddled with tree roots, and other obstacles. This is popular among XC enthusiasts. Set back is it accelerates slower and hard to hit the corners compared to the above two, but once you get the momentum, you will be surprised of its fast rolling capabilities.
8. Never mind the weight
There are some riders that coughs up an extra premium just to shed off around 30 grams. In the cycling world they are called weight weenies. Now there is nothing wrong with being one (I’m guilty!) but if you think about the budget, you will cough up a couple of thousands just to lose 30grams. (That’s just like carrying a bag of chips.) It’s impractical and the weight to speed ratio is just marginal that you will not notice the difference. In mountain biking, lighter is not always better.
9. Visit demo events
It is a tedious task to jump from one shop to another when looking for your dream bike. Good thing we have an annual Philippine Bike Demo Day.
If you’re looking for a new mountain bike and an event is just around the corner, don’t hesitate to pay a visit because this happens just once a year.
With a small entrance fee of 150php (This may change), you can test different kinds of bikes all day! The event is held by the trails so you can test mountain bikes all day. That way you can get a feel of your ideal size, build, and discuss budget and tech with the pros.
10. Ride your very first bike and fall in love with it
You built it, you bought it, now it’s time to test it. Take that bike out of the shop and get a feel of its gears, brakes, and overall handling as you make a few rounds around the block
That way you’ll notice if you need some adjustments or if the parts are not working well. It’ll be a pain to get back to the shop if you notice something’s not right when you already took it home.
As you make an exit from the shop while pushing the bike by the handlebars. It’ll be the beginning of an epic journey with your steed. You are now a fully pledged “Kapadyak.”
I look forward in meeting you out there as you pedal along your shiny new bike. Be proud of it, it’s yours and it will bring you to places where no four-wheeled chunk of metal has ever gone before.
Ride safe.
nice!