If you are new to cycling, you've probably heard of a mountain bike.
Designed for off-road riding, mountain bikes have enhanced durability and performance highlighted in rough terrains, typically equipped with large knobbly tyres.
Nowadays there are lots of different types of frame style mountain bikes to choose from, ranging from rigid style, front suspension or full suspension.
Rigid- Without any suspension, a good A to B ride for someone who is new to cycling and just wants a bike with minimal maintenance compared to a bike with suspension qualities.
Hardtail- Equipped with a front suspension fork, which absorbs bumps in the road. Perfect for getting to grips with off-road riding.
Full Suspension- Equipped with a front suspension fork and rear shock. Full suspension mountain bikes are perfect if most of your riding will be off-road. Although the rear shock can carry a weight penalty, it can provide extra comfort on long days, particularly for those who suffer from knee or back pain
There are also three different options when it comes to wheel size on a mountain bike, 26", 27.5" (650B) & 29". The size of your wheel determines the level of rolling resistance you will get on the trails. Having a bigger wheelbase allows you to overcome bigger obstacles.
26" Wheel - Being smaller, lighter and more agile, bikes with 26” wheels offer much better acceleration than their larger counterparts, making it great for short, steep climbs and fast-flowing, quick-turning trails.
27.5" Wheel - The 27.5” wheels don’t bend as much as the big 29ers and handle a lot better in terms of manoeuvrability and durability. They’re faster, stronger and more agile than the bigger wheels and also ride much more fluently than the smaller. The best of both worlds.
29" Wheel - The 29 inch bike is longer than a 26 inch ride, and as such offers a lower centre of gravity. This means the rider has a much steadier feel on the bike, but it can take a while to readjust to the new riding position if you’re upgrading from a 26" wheel.
As a general rule, the more aggressively you plan to use the bike, and the more difficult the terrain you plan to ride over, the more advanced features you'll want on your bike. Here at Cycle King, You'll find the perfect bike for you at the point where your needs and your budget intersect.