Risk Factors to Consider while Purchasing a Mountain Bike

Mountain Bike

Mountain Bike

Mountain bikes! Fun, adventurous, and full of thrills. Every rider-junkie would be familiar with the craze of this vehicle. And if you’re someone who is getting into this craze, welcome! Now, of course, before you dive in, you’ll need to purchase a bike. And when it comes to buying a mountain bike, there’s some factors you need to consider.

And today we’ll talk about just that! In this article, we will talk about some factors you should consider when it comes to buying mountain bikes, specifically talking about the risk factors to keep you safe from any hazard. Let’s begin!

1. Deciding on the Right Size

The first risk factor we will talk about is choosing the right size of bike. If you do not have a proper bike, it may feel unpleasant, and clumsy and will cause a plethora of trouble your way.

So, it is important to carefully inspect the parts and correctly identify the sizes before purchasing it, whether you’re starting slow or immediately shredding downhill. Let’s break it down!

First, decide on a seat alignment. How do you want it to be? Most bikers like to keep it parallel to the ground for maximum safety. It also helps to keep the posture right too. A good seat alignment helps to keep kneecap and leg pain away as well.

Next, measure yourself, specifically around the seams. You want to make sure there is just the right room for your knees to bend around the brakes but not too much that it suffocates the area. For this, you need to make sure the saddle to the pad height is right. Otherwise, you will end up hurting your kneecaps.

Lastly, make sure the handlebar is at the same height as your seat, and if this is a hassle, there are always online frame charts to compare and people to help with it.

2. Wheel Sizes

This is one of the most important hazards to tackle – ‘getting a right wheel size.’ Incorrect wheel size will make your trip bumpy and, even worse, cause accidents and injuries.

The safest wheel size for a mountain bike is 26 inches. They provide a lot of comfort and grip. Just the right amount. However, going for a 27-inch one is another great option too. This can provide consistent acceleration while still maintaining its balance. A nice option to go for! You can find these types of tyres at reputable stores like https://www.thebiketyreshop.com/.

 3. Account For Mountain Bike’s Life-Line

The material that it is made with can do a lot to the bike, depending on how much you use it. As time passes, some parts may be rusting, and it could provide a risky path in the future. So, it is important to make sure you choose the right material of your bike frame.

Aluminum is what most bikes are made off; they are durable and can withstand a lot of strain before deforming. For heavy-duty bikes, titanium is a good option too, as it is durable, flexible, and can withstand a high amount of shock too. The only downside of it is that it is expensive.

When it comes to choosing a material, make sure it is durable, rust-free, and can withstand a high amount of stress. So, choose from the ones above or look into your requirements. This can help reduce a lot of risks in the future.

4. Brake Issues

Having a slow brake welcomes a series of injuries, deaths, and of course, trauma. And to avoid that, it is crucial to take care of the type of brake you choose.

You can find many types of brakes, but for mountain bike specific, disc brakes are a good option. They are perfect for all weather and climate changes. Rim brakes are a close second to a nice brake system. They are pretty easy to control and are manageable. The only downfall of this is that it might not perform the same way as a disc brake will.

Lastly, drum brakes are nice too. They are resistant to all sorts of weather and climate situations and are heavy-duty as well. The only con is that it isn’t a good choice for mountain bikes.

Mountain bike

Mountain bike

5. Picking a Gear

Picking the wrong gear is a big risk factor that you should tackle, here’s how:

The golden rule of picking a gear is to consider what kind of place you will be riding the bike at and what your capability is. Mountain bikers would need as many gears as it will help to maintain their balance.

6. Not Going for a Test Ride

Another common risk factor is that people often don’t give enough time to see whether the mountain bike is perfect for them or not. Failure to do so makes you lose both money and limbs due to manufacturing mistakes, no matter how much groundbreaking technology is put into it.

To tackle it, always make sure to test run the bike before buying. Talk to the experts and learn about all the etiquette of riding the mountain bike. This rule applies to every kind of vehicle. Always test run!

7. Ignoring Your Health

Lastly, let us talk about you. Before you set out for an adventure, make sure to check  your health. Mountain bikers tend to go through harsh weather conditions, bumpy roads and trails and getting a proper fit is necessary. Check in with yourself, get your blood pressure, oxygen level in moderation, and hydrate frequently too. Before setting out, learn about the trail you will go to. All these basic steps will help you to stay further away from all the risks.

Conclusion

And there you have it! All the risk factors to consider when you’re purchasing your mountain bike. The sport is  unsafe,  so making sure the vehicle is purchased with much care and inspection is necessary. Even though dangers may not be 100% away from us, these necessary steps help to stay safe and sound. Let us know about your experience with a mountain bike! Do you have any tips to share? Drop it in the comments below! Thank you for reading.