Mountain Bike Gateway – All The Info You Need About Mountain Bikes

If you enjoy cycling and the great outdoors, you may need a mountain bike. To determine the best mountain bike for you, such as the Genesis bike, look at key features such as the suspension, wheel size, frame materials, brakes, and gearing. The bike style should fit your needs as different mountain bikes are designed for different styles and types of riding. Finally, make sure the bike fits you properly. If this is your first bike, go to a local bike shop and have a professional teach you how to size a bike to yourself. WHAT IS A GENESIS BIKE? A Genesis bike is a mountain bike. There are three general types of mountain bikes. Trail bikes are not excessively heavy, fun and efficient. It is great for beginners who are not into a specific type of race or trail yet. The movement offered by the front and rear suspension is typically 120-140 mm, and the angle between the head tube and the ground is usually 67-69 degrees. A steeper head-tube angle usually means you can turn faster and climb better while a lower angle indicates the bike is more stable at high speeds. Cross-country, or xc, bikes are efficient, lightweight and built to climb hills. Maybe a few miles or maybe 25-plus, these fast bikes are perfect for competitive racing, particularly up mountains. The suspensions offer 80 to 100 mm of travel, and the head-tube angle is between 70 and 71 degrees. Fat bikes feature oversized tires, from 3.7 to over 5 inches wide, making them ideal for conditions such as snow or sand. They are extremely forgiving for beginners who want to go trail-riding but are not yet comfortable with the handling of thinner tires on rough terrain. All-mountain bikes allow you to take on the most technical features, both natural and man-made. Race up huge leg-burning climbs and long, scary descents on this light and nimble bike feature 140 to 170 mm of suspension travel and a 65 to 68-degree head-tube angle. Park or downhill bikes are most commonly found at lift-service bike parks. They feature 170 to over 200 mm of suspension travel and a head-tube angle between 63 and 65 degrees. PRODUCT SPECS The Genesis bike features a rear V brake and front disc brake, double wall rims, full suspension fork, and alloy aluminum frame. The suspension and frame are light, durable and offer you excellent control over steep terrain. You get much better handling than a fixed gear bike. Besides the suspension fork, the rear shocks make your ride exceptionally comfortable. The Genesis bike is relatively unique in its dual braking system. The 21-speed drivetrain ensure easy, precise shifting, making your ride more enjoyable, no matter the type or rating of the trail. PRICING Prices for mountain bikes are always fluctuating. If you do not yet know what kind of mountain bike you want, you can easily pick one up for less than $500. If you are looking for an entry-level full suspension bike or a decent hardtail, such as a 29er, expect to pay between $500 and $1,000.If you shop model year close-out or clearance bikes, your opportunity for full suspension and hardtail bikes opens up greatly between $1,000 and $1,500. They are built on the same frames as the more expensive models, but the components are cheaper. You can easily upgrade to better parts as you get a better feel for what features you are looking for in a bike.If you want to get into competitive racing, you may be looking at a bike between $1,500 and $3,500 with no further modifications required. You will even start to see carbon fiber models. Decent all trail or mountain full suspension models are readily available. Once you know what kind of racing style, you have and what trails you like to ride on, do not worry about spending between $3,500 and $10,000 on a bike.Whether you want a cross-country, all mountain or trail or downhill bike, you will find the right bike at this price range. These bikes are not road bikes so they will not replace your car for your commute to work but if you are serious about racing or fitness, they are worth every penny. HOW IT COMPARES We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare. Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive Carbon Comp 29 Hardtail Mountain BikeMongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike 26"Schwinn Bonafied 29" Wheel Mountain Bike GENESIS V2100 26" DUAL-SUSPENSION MEN'S MOUNTAIN BIKE PRICE - $You can purchase this product on Amazon for around $165.RidabilityThe design quality is not perfect. However, the Genesis bike is very ridable, particularly for the cost. It is a smooth, comfortable, there easily customizable beginner's bike.ASSEMBLY TIMEThis bike comes with easy-to-follow assembly instructions.DESIGN QUALITYThe Genesis bike is not as well-designed as higher-end bikes, but there is nothing bad about the quality either. It is the perfect beginner's bike.WARRANTYA warranty, which only covers parts, back the Genesis bike. PROS Easily affordableHigh safety factorAdjustable to people of various heightsSmooth gearing optionSturdy alloy suspension fork and frame CONS Warranty covers parts onlySome assembly requiredCreaks too muchJumps gears on hillsPlastic pedals DIAMONDBACK BICYCLES OVERDRIVE CARBON COMP 29 HARDTAIL MOUNTAIN BIKE Diamondback produces this frame with a process known as Advanced Monocoque Molding Process. It is molded as one unit to improve the responsive thickness of the carbon fiber monocoque frame. It features 14x12 dropouts. It is light enough to power uphill easily. It comes with a 180/160mm rotor on Shimano M135 hydraulic disc brakes, better than the Genesis bike. It also has a 100mm fork. The tires are 2.2 inches, wider than some tires on this list, so you get an excellent grip, but it offers too much resistance to be raced on the streets. A 16" frame is ideal for a rider between 5'4" and 5'7". An 18" frame is ideal for a rider between 5'7" and 5'10". A 20" frame is ideal for riders between 5'10" and 6'1" while a 22" frame is the perfect size for someone between 6'1" and 6'4". PRICE - $$$You can purchase this product on Amazon for around $1,600RidabilityThis bike is very ridable. The only flaw it has is it is so good at being a mountain bike it is not a road bike.ASSEMBLY TIMEFor around $120, you can purchase this bike fully assembled. A skilled bike mechanic can put this bike together in 30 minutes while someone who has never previously built a bike can put it together in only two hours.DESIGN QUALITYThis bike only features an 11-speed drivetrain, but the relatively wide tires provide enough stability in sharp corners over rough terrain. This bike is nearly flawless, especially for the price.WARRANTYDiamondback backs their products with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the Overdrive Carbon Comp. They are not responsible for any damages caused by the improper assembly of the bike. If you do not feel comfortable assembling the bike, take it to a local bike shop. PROS FastDurableLightweightFork adjustable on the fly CONS ExpensiveNot ideal for paved roads or city use MONGOOSE STATUS 2.2 MOUNTAIN BIKE 26" This bike features direct pull brakes. It provides excellent stopping power when riding tough trails downhill without experiencing great wear and tear. The sleek aluminum frame is a superior material choice as it is durable, lightweight and able to handle any terrain thrown at it. Although aluminum is normally found in higher-end mountain bikes, this outstanding bike is affordable. It features a 16" frame for women and 18" frame for men and is easily adjustable. This is a full suspension rig with a front fork featuring an element suspension component which smooths any trail you choose. The rear shock mechanism absorbs all vibrations as well. It offers you maximum control. It does, however, slightly impede on energy transfer to the rear wheel so you may find it slightly more difficult to power to the top of steep hills. As is standard of mountain bikes, the Status 2.2 features 21-speed levels provided by Shimano's rear derailleur and SRAM twist shifters. Smoothly change gears to adapt to any conditions you face with these durable shifters. This bike is equipped with a freewheel hub so you can pedal backward with no interference from the brakes. The only downside is the plastic pedals are less durable than all other components. If you start to have issues with your pedals, switch them out for aluminum alloy pedals. The bike comes with 2.125" knobby tires to help you roll over anything in your path, offering superior traction, especially in mud and dirt. The durable alloy wheel rim, paired with the linear pull brakes, provides phenomenal performance on rough terrains without slowing you down. It also absorbs energy from sudden stopping motions or jumping. PRICE - $You can purchase this bike for around $210 on Amazon.RidabilityThis bike rides very well, but it is about 14 pounds heavier than the average mountain bike, making it more difficult to power up the steepest of hills.ASSEMBLY TIMEThis bike is not difficult or time-consuming to put together. However, for around $120 you can have it assembled for you.DESIGN QUALITYThis bike is astonishingly well-built. It is heavy but durable. The seat is harder than some people prefer, but it is easily changed out for a softer, wider, non-racing seat.WARRANTYThis product features a 5-year frame warranty, 1-year parts warranty and 30-day warranty on wearable parts like the tubes. PROS Lightweight aluminum bodyFeatures height adjustmentFull suspension for maximum comfort21-speed levelsShimano rear derailleursSRAM twist shiftersStable knobby tiresDurable alloy rim CONS Hard seatWeighs nearly 40 pounds SCHWINN BONAFIED 29" WHEEL MOUNTAIN BIKE This hardtail mountain bike features very wide 2.25" knobby tires meaning you will have no trouble gripping any terrain that lies before you. It is a very lightweight bike with a powerful front suspension fork. Unlike most mountain bikes it features 24 speeds for maximum customization. The high-profile double wall alloy rims are built to last.They are durable, strong and lightweight. The result of exceptional engineering, the stopping power of this bike with front and rear mechanical disc brakes is better than the Genesis bike. The durable Schwinn alloy cranks allow you to switch gears smoothly and easily while taking a massive beating. Enjoy much less maintenance before or after you hit the trails. PRICE - $You can purchase this bike on Amazon for around $348.RidabilityThis bike allows you to change gears easily.ASSEMBLY TIMEFor around $120, you can purchase this bike already fully assembled. Otherwise, it comes with complete, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.DESIGN QUALITYThis bike is designed well, but it lacks the functionality many feel important such as a variable front fork and top-of-the-line braking that does not require frequent maintenance.WARRANTYA lifetime warranty backs this bike. PROS Lightweight aluminum frameExcellent stopping powerLight, durable rimsGreat grip on tires CONS No front fork adjustmentPoor cable brake routingRough, inconsistent ride CONCLUSION The Diamondback 29" hardtail gets an overall rating of five out of five stars. It was very difficult to find anything wrong with the bike. The only flaw we could find was it is such a good mountain bike it is poor on the road, meaning we faulted it for being so good at what it was designed for. For the price, the Genesis bike is outstanding. It has its flaws such as a less-than-stellar warranty and plastic pedals. The gearing is smooth, but there are issues on steep hills. However, it offers the greatest value for the price. The best mountain bike for you depends on a host of factors but if you are looking for a beginner bike to learn which features are most important to you and what types of trails you want to ride, purchase the Genesis bike. You won't get a better all-around trail bike.

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