OK, if you are reading this I am guessing you are looking to buy a new or used downhill bike, probably on the internet. I bet you are wondering how you are ever going to recognise a good deal from buying online. You may simply think, ‘If I pay the highest price I can’t go wrong’. Maybe so but let me first explain something.

There are more things you need to take into consideration when buying a new downhill bike than simply the price, if you don’t know what these are now is a good time to start reading because my guess is that you don’t fully understand what a downhill bike is.

For a start let say you are buying a used bike, what might you like to know before buying? Well you might want to know something about the previous owner, how was the bike used and have they made any upgrades to the bike since it was bought? My advice would be to look for a bike that has had very little use, even if it is simply for down hill riding. The worst thing in the world is to buy a bike that has been heavily used or even abused! The bike will lack response and often handle dreadfully.

Alot of people like to buy bikes from ebay, if you are on of these then make sure you can see clear photos of the product and very clear description. Obviously it goes without saying that you should look for those with a quality feedback history and figures to back it up.

The brand is the next thing you need to consider and there are multiples ones with ranging reputations, visit the brand sites, look for independant reviews. Always look at the spec list when comparing bikes to make sure everything you need is included.

Remember downhill bikes need to be robust and light, thick tyres are also preferrable. If you can afford it of course you should always buy new, however if not simply try to attain as much information as possible about the previous user and if you can view the bike before hand this is also beneficial.

Mountain bikes even though they have been round for the last 30 years are still constantly evolving, as the need grows for more grip and a lighter frame. What I want to do today is discuss a few facts about mountain bikes that will help enhance your experience as a user.

This site is predominantly dedicated to down hill bikes, however there is a need to discuss mountain bikes in general as they are in the same family. No matter what type of mountain bike your looking for, if your idea of fun on a weekend is biking in the woods or down steep hills and mountains, then you only have one choice to make, which ‘mountain bike’ will it be?

Traditionally mountain bikes have thicker wheels and more grip to help them deal with the rough terrains they are faced with. Prices for mountain bikes can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand and it is for this reason that you need to be picky about which one you choose, what are you realistically going to use it for?

Mountain biking is not for everyone, it can be extremely hard work and only the fitter people will be able to deal with strain your muscles are pu through whilst hill biking. Down hill bikes are specially designed to go at fast speeds down rough mountian terrain and only the most skilled bikers will be able to handle such a situation.

As mountain bikes are generally taken to rough terrain to be used and often need to be carried when the terrain is impossible to ride on, there is a great need for them to be light. For this reason many bikes are now made from titanium instead of steel, this allows the bikes to be carried easier and to have better handling.

If you intend to use you bike on rough terrain it is also a good idea to consider suspension, as this can minimise the effects of the rough terrain, and damage to the general frame of the bike. If you are going to be actually ‘mountain biking’ then front and back suspension is needed, however if you are going to be using it mainly on the road them fron suspension will do.

No matter what mountain bike you are going to buy, try and consider your needs first. Will you be riding it on rough terrain? Will you have to carry it? How many gears do you realistically need?

Whatever it is you need to know about buying a mountain bike or a downhill bike I am sure you will find it here.