Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Things to Think About
Before Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike
When you start to think about trading your current mountain bike in for one of the newer full
suspension mountain bikes there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Buying a new full suspension
mtb can be a very exciting time but can soon lead to regrets if you do not think your purchase through very
carefully.
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Kinetic Full Suspension
Bike
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FX76 Full Suspention
MTB
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Havoc Bike
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Perhaps the first thing you need to consider when looking at a full suspension mountain bike is
the weight. These bikes are most definitely not high on the list of lightweight bikes and can be very tiring to
ride if your trails involve a lot of climbing. They feature a lot more in the way of suspension devices and
mountain bike parts than the average bike making them significantly
heavier.
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The Cannondale
Prophet

FORK - RockShox Pike 409 Coil U-Turn 140
FRAME - Prophet 140
REAR SHOCK - FOX Float
R

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Cost is something you should take into consideration when looking at full suspension downhill
bikes. Because of the number of extra suspension parts many of the top line full suspension mountain bikes can end
up costing thousands instead of hundreds. Before you lay out this kind of money on a bike you need to make sure
that you really are going to get good use out of it on a regular basis.
Are you prepared to spend a fair amount of time working on your bike to keep up with the
maintenance? If the answer to this is no or even maybe then a full suspension mountain bike is probably not for
you.
Because of the number of moving parts a fair amount of time must be spent working on and
cleaning all of the suspension parts to keep them in good working order. In many cases specialized tools will have
to be purchased and courses taken in how to maintain and repair certain types of suspension.
Consider how you plan to use your new bike; if you plan to use it more for standard mountain
biking and only mild downhill mountain bike riding then maybe you should
look for a bike that has front suspension only.
These are much more reasonable in price. Full suspension mountain bicycles were created for
those who want to go down the side of the mountain at break neck speeds often in competition with other riders. The
full suspension is designed to help them maintain maximum control under some very challenging conditions.
Of course if you like to ride anywhere on the mountain and want to do it comfortably then
perhaps full suspension mountain bikes are just what you need. Depending on the terrain you plan to ride down, the
action of the full suspension can smooth out the little bumps or make the rough terrain much easier to navigate on
your way down.
If you are convinced that you need a full suspension mountain bike then you should start looking for one by asking another rider
whose opinion you trust to help you find the right one for you. If you know someone who owns one see if you can
try it out to make sure that this is exactly what you want in a bike before you go out and spend your money.
Doing these things can help reduce the risk that you will regret going out and spending your hard earned
money.
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