NEW BIKE DAY
In our world, New Bike Day is better than any birthday or Christmas. Being in a bike-family means that the excitement is shared. Having ridden bikes, worked in the bike industry and now as a writer and coach, I am luckily pretty well informed of what I want in any given bike I am looking to purchase… but not everyone has the know-how to order what they want based on use, spec sheets, tech docs and geometry tables. Here’s my guide.
1. Pick your poison
There are more mountain biking disciplines than you can poke a stick at. Cross-country, gravity, marathon, downhill… they’re all categories of events with bikes that are pretty specific for each. I can hear you saying: “But I don’t want to race, I just want a sick trail sled (translation: well performing bicycle) to ride with my mates at my local trail network!” Never fear, there is a whole category of bikes just for you, depending on what your trail network is like. For example, where I live, a hardtail will be just fine as a price-conscious entry-level option, but you could increase the fun factor with a bike of up to 130-140mm travel. Any more than that and you’ll curse the local elevation profiles. If you’re new to the scene, ask round as to what the most optimal platform (translation: travel set-up) is for the local trail networks.
2. Whittle down your options
So you want to ride with your mates and you reckon a 120mm trail bike is the best bet - but there are a myriad of options for you to try. A further question you may ask yourself is: “Do I want 27.5” or 29” wheels?” That may be dictated somewhat by frame size, but also personal preference. Check with your local bike shop to see what brands they do, and check what options they have that tick the boxes for you.
3. Price Check
So you have found a 120mm platform from a few different brands - now price will probably sieve your options further. Many brands have a carbon and alloy option of any given bike in the range to cater for different price points, while some brands have different bikes on the same platform at different price points. When you know how much you want to spend, and you have found bikes in your desired platform in your range it’s time for the real fun stuff…
4. Demo time!
Many bicycle manufacturers have demo days where you can go and try a range of bikes of a brand, and many shops carry a demo fleet. If you are mostly sure of what you want, see if you can get a try on the bike. It’s possible the shop only stocks a higher or lower-end spec bike, but the overall ride feel and geometry should be pretty similar - so get out there and ride it and see what you like! Chat with your LBS, they should be friendly, accommodating and almost as excited about your new bike day as you are!
5. Love the ride
Make sure the bike is fitted well for you; this can be done by the shop or a third party fit specialist. Contact points like grips and saddle are super important, as well as making sure the suspension is set up for your size and riding style. Get your spears ready in case of emergency, grab some water and a muesli bar and hit the trails!
6. Do you need a women’s specific bike?
Many manufacturers offer bike ranges in both unisex and women’s specific models. Do you need one? Well, it depends what you’re looking at and who you are. Check the models offered: some brands like Juliana and Yeti offer women’s bikes that are exactly the same in terms of geometry as the men’s models, sometimes with the addition of a smaller size to facilitate smaller riders. Often, where they differ from unisex bikes is in the contact points: a women’s saddle, grips and custom-tuned suspension for the lighter rider and narrower bars. Some bikes still offer a women’s specific geometry; typically a shorter top tube and lower standover, in addition to women’s specific contact points. Check out the spec and see what suits you, then consult your LBS to see if you’re a candidate for a women’s specific bike, or if you have a broader range of options with unisex bikes too.