Mountain bike: An overview
A mountain bike is an off-road version of the bicycle. Similar to sport utility vehicles being an off-road version of passenger vehicles. This type of bike contains many features that distinguish it from ordinary bikes such as its design and frame and its add-ons like gear and suspension.
However, the popularity of mountain bikes had thrown dirt on many other kinds of bicycles and different types of it are being used for all purposes even for riding on a flat and paved surface. Its sales now make up two-thirds of all bikes sold in the world.
History and evolution
The earliest inventors of bicycles can be credited with pioneering the movement for the creation of a more sporty kind of bike which is a mountain bike. The development of bicycles started in the early 19th century to replace horses as a means of transport.
Though out the 1990s and 2000s mountain bike popularity keep on increasing to the point where it replaced all other types of bicycles to become the most sold one.
In contemporary times, there are virtually a hundred kinds of mountain bikes not just limited to rough terrains but also for daily practical use.
Guide to buying the best bike for beginners
Buying a mountain bike for newbies can be a daunting task due to the sheer number of options and features available in these bikes. However, for new riders Trail Mountain biking is the best to start.
For beginners, it is also recommended to buy a bike with large wheels. The wheel size should be above 29 inches and the larger the wheel the more traction it will generate. As a person moves to advance mountain biking from the level he prefers smaller wheels for better acceleration and ease of twists and turns.
Other factors that a person should consider while buying a mountain bike for the first time are as below:
- For exercise
- For commuting
- For sightseeing and exploration
- For sport purposes
The next thing you need to consider to look into a bike are:
- Comfort and safety
- Correct bike type
Size, configuration, components, and features.
Top 3 Mountain Bikes for Beginners in 2023
Akin to the last decade, the year 2023 is also promising with many specialized brands coming into the mainstream and robustly investing in research and development to come up with the best bikes for users.
All the below-mentioned bikes have been selected after having a careful look at their reviews which are overwhelmingly pleasing for these bikes and make them stand on the top.
- Voodoo Bizango: This mountain bike for beginners is manufactured by an American-Japanese company and has left plenty of competitors in the dust when it comes to value for money. It comes with great brakes, gearing, geometry, handling, and standover and offers much more than its competitors with a price tag of $1000.
For those who want to make a start in developing and mastering mountain biking techniques, this bike is the perfect thing to start with.
- Voodoo Brag: it comes with a similar frame as the record-setting masterpiece Voodoo Bizango. With a modest price tag of $600, you get excellent handling and dimensions. It comes with a 9-speed drivetrain and features a plush coil-sprung suspension cork.
Lastly, it comes with an alloy frame with modern geometry that makes it a great platform for upgrades as the person riding it becomes more experienced and wants to be additionally equipped.
- Voodoo Bizango Pro: This bike is even a refined version of the masterpiece Voodoo Bizango and has outperformed everything thrown at it winning numerous accolades and awards in the process.
This lightweight mountain bike is the best hardtail bike around and it comes with 12-speed shifting which makes it easier even for beginners to climb the hills. It impresses everyone who rode it and none will find a hardtail superior to this in the budget of $1000.
Conclusion
You are already on the road to adventure if you decide to buy one of these bikes for use. For those who are new to off-road biking and thus want maximum stability, traction, control, comfort, and performance then these are the bikes for you as they fill all the parameters we discussed that are essential to consider when purchasing a mountain bike for the first time. It’s always better to buy a bike from a physical retailer as you can try it before buying and approach them directly if any untoward damage results to your bike.