What to Look for When Buying a Sports Bike

Mountain and cross-country biking are exhilarating ways to stay in amazing shape. However, before you can begin to work toward that beautiful bike bod, you need to acquire the right equipment, namely a bike.

Sports bikes are a bit more complicated than the bike you rode around your neighbourhood with when you were a kid. There are so many things to consider that the whole process of purchasing one might seem incredibly daunting.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind when evaluating your potential new sports bike.

1. What Kind of Suspension Does it Have?

There are two main kinds of suspensions when it comes to sports bikes: hardtail and full suspension.

Hardtails consist of a set of forks while the back of the bike remains rigid. This style is helpful for efficient pedaling and climbing. It is also much more commonly found on inexpensive bikes.

The full suspension bike features forks at the front as well as a shock in the back. This attribute tends to be found on more expensive bikes and is extremely helpful with difficult terrain.

2. What Warranty Does It Come With?

Warranties may not be the first thing that you think of when it comes to purchasing a sports bike, but they are surprisingly important. Biking off-road can be treacherous for both you and your bike.

If you are an avid biker there is a high chance that your bike will experience some damage. These types of bikes are not cheap, so it is important to know whether repairs will be included in the price.

3. What Size of Wheels Does it Have?

Different sizes of wheels are useful for different types of rides. The three most commonly utilized sizes of wheels are 29”, 27.5”, and 26”.

The largest is great for a smooth ride as it helps the rider to gain momentum easily and overcome obstacles. However, it can be challenging to manoeuvre through tight turns. The middle option is probably the most popular because it is the most versatile, whereas the smallest option is beginning to lose its popularity in the industry.

4. Does the Shop Offer to Let You Go for a Test Ride?

It can be difficult to know if a bike will be right for you without getting the chance to try it out for yourself. While giving it a quick spin around the parking lot is better than nothing, it is better if the shop will allow you to take it out on a real trail. This will give you the best idea of whether that bike is right for you.

Some shops allow you to check out the bike for a specified amount of time before purchase while shops will take some bikes to local trails and allow people to try them out. If either option is available in your area, it is highly advised that you take advantage of it.

5. What Type of Brake Is on the Bike?

Good brakes are imperative for your safety on any type of terrain but especially so on steep declines.

The three main types of brakes are hydraulic disc brakes, cable-activated disc brakes, and rim brakes. It is best to stay away from rim brakes because they are less likely to operate well in wet and muddy conditions. The first two are very similar in effect and just differ slightly in operation. Disc brakes are much more reliable, but they do tend to be more expensive to maintain.

Hopefully, this gave you a decent introduction into some things to look for when working toward purchasing a sports bike. If you need more information or have some questions, then you may want to consider checking out some of the information on this website from Cycling Inquisition.

Best of luck with your biking endeavours, and hopefully, you will be out on the trails with your snazzy new bike in no time!