Many people associate bicycles with the products of Walmart or Target, but enthusiasts would never look to these places to buy their items.  Frequently just the frame can cost a grand or even more depending on features.  Bikes can be quite easy to put together with careful planning, although it can be a pain when one piece is missing or wrong.

The frame is certainly the most important element of a bicycle.  Though bikes can be used in a variety of areas, they are usually built for specific types of terrain and riding.  The major different types are classified as hard tail and full suspension frames.  Hard tail frames are the ones people are used to seeing everywhere, but full suspension ones offer an additional shock in the middle of the frame for the back tire.  These frames are perfect for technical riding that has drops and rocky areas, but they rob the rider of power since a lot of the push goes into the shock instead of turning the pedals.  Generally, full suspension bikes really should not be used if there are lengthy, steep inclines that have to be climbed where the person rides.

Maintenance and performance are much better when using disc brake systems over standard brake systems.  It can be hard to fix normal brakes with a bent rim, and mountain bikes frequently get them.  Brakes can either use mechanical lines within the cables to transfer energy, or hydraulic fluid to clamp the brake to the disc.  Hydraulics are the best and most receptive, but require more upkeep which is complicated and can easily ruin a biking trip.  Since brakes are so crucial, it is important to do a heavy load test prior to taking a bike on a rough trail.

The derailleurs and shifters are also a very necessary part of the setup.  These can make an enormous difference when having to shift up and down quickly, avoiding slow shifts and skipped gears.  Although all shifts are mechanical, their features and reliability varies greatly.  It is often essential to hit every gear quickly when technical riding, so buying shifters that shift twice at once or do not miss shifts can be very important.

A bike build can fall short of its goal if the rims and tires are not up to par.  It is recommended to ask a local rider what kinds of tire treads are good for the trails in the area, since the material and shapes vary greatly.  Rims are usually the more robust the better, and double walled versions are absolutely required.  A lot of people that buy single walled rims will end up with horribly bent rims at the end of the first load testing, and will be buying new ones soon after that first ride.

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