The common types of materials used in mountain bikes are steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, or their alloys. The different materials affect a bicycle’s comfort, price, and weight, among other things.

Steel is the most common material used in these frames. It is sturdy and inexpensive. However, it weighs more than aluminum and fiber. Steel was the only material applied in the past, for professionals and novices in the cycling world.
However, some manufacturers will use different materials since steel can be expensive. At times, it requires complex shaping and use of other alloys. Where the cost to weight ratio becomes higher, aluminum and carbon become preferable options.

Carbon fiber was exclusively available to professionals due to the cost and difficulty of working with it. With time, manufacturers have found easier and cost effective ways of working and obtaining the material. Manufacturers can play around with carbon fiber; therefore experimenting with tubes and various designs becomes easier.
Elite cyclers use carbon, since it has the best stiffness to weight ratio, compared to the other materials. A lighter trail bike gives you more freedom and control. Even though carbon fiber is durable, it becomes difficult to handle after it gives out.
Your bicycle can become dangerous to use and fragile. Repairing carbon fiber is also complicated and somewhat costly.

Aluminum has properties that are almost similar to carbon fiber. Your mountain bike will also be firm and light in weight. Aluminum is also easier to work with compared to carbon. Manufacturers use it in different tube frames, adding to the reinforcement.
It also helps keep the bicycle weight lower. Tubes made with this material are usually thinner in the center and broader towards the weld.

Titanium is tougher than other conventional materials. However, it is out of reach for many because it is complex to work with and is costly. Titanium can handle harsher environments and is not affected by rust like steel.
Thanks to technological advancements, manufacturers are making the titanium thinner. It consequently reduces the weight of your bicycle.

A mountain bike’s mechanics comprises of the drive train and the brakes. In the drive train, you have the shifter, derailleur, chain ring, cranks, cassette, and the chain. The costlier the materials used to make them, the better the durability, efficiency, and performance of the system.

Mountain and trail bikes' features are actually more varied than your typical road bikes'. The reason for this is the different components used for mountain bikes and the many types of styles available. These bikes also have a broader market range. Some even have front and back gears, while others have back gears alone.

This versatility is great. But there is a downside. More parts might lead to more weight. And the inefficiency of changing the parts might also cause some problems. You may end up continuously fixing the bicycle on the trail because of the chain persistently coming off.

Professionals avoid these bikes with an excessive number of gears. They tend to prefer bikes with about seven gears. And this is especially true of professionals that prefer trails over roads. Anything more than that is seen as more trouble than it's worth.

There is slightly less variety when it comes to brakes. The commonly used brake systems are hydraulic disc brakes and cable operated disk brakes.

The hydraulic system borrows its design from the automotive industry. Hydraulic systems don’t require much maintenance. The system is also lightweight, effortless to press on, and reliable.

Cable-type disk brakes were the only ones available in recent years. These types of brakes feature mostly on entry-level bicycles. The quality of the component’s materials also influences the price. Better materials improve brake control, reliability, durability, as well as reduce overall weight.

Some mountain bike brands require certain accessories to function. A reputable brand that has readily available spares is the best option you can purchase. There are so many bicycles lying in people’s homes because they could not be fixed.

A good brand is always ready and available to assist you when you reach out to them for advice. Some even offer to replace your spoiled bicycle. Only reputable brands offer refunds and replacements.

Alternatively, others offer repair service centers. The company mechanics are qualified enough to handle any issues that your bicycle might have. Therefore, if you ever find yourself in such a situation, you can rest assured that it will be in good hands.

Mountain bikes are great because users can enhance them with lots of components from other manufacturers. For example, the wheels can be changed to fit a particular terrain. You can also upgrade other parts easily.

There are many types of mountain bikes, each with their strengths and suitable for different terrain. Finding a compatible model that meets your needs may not be as easy. Having more knowledge of certain bike components might help you narrow down your options.

A hardtail suspension type has suspension on the front wheels only. On the other hand, a full suspension has springs on the back and front wheels. Full suspension versions are more complicated compared to hardtails, but the ride is softer. Full suspension types also add to the bike’s cost, maintenance, and weight.

A full suspension mountain bicycle works well for rough trails. Those with less suspension are lighter, faster, and ride better on smooth terrains. More suspension equals to improved support, while less suspension increases speed on flat surfaces.

A disk brake is better than a rim brake because dirt does not interfere with the rim. There are different wheel sizes and materials. Some have gears at the back while others at the front.

More gears are necessary for technical trails. A higher gear gives more power, but less speed. There are also new subclasses, like ‘fat bikes,’ which are capable of riding on snow or sand.

A slacker head tube, falling below 68 degrees, improves the stability at high speed. A steep head above 68 degrees, improves your handling. Climbing is also much more comfortable.

You can adjust a bicycle’s seat and handlebars, but its frame will always be a constant. That is why you won’t be comfortable if you are using the wrong mountain bike size. The wrong size will affect your speed and put you at risk of getting injuries. You might even end up falling or get more chaffing.

Different brands cluster their sizes in different ways. For instance, one brand’s medium size might be categorized as a bigger size in another brand. Therefore, a better approach when making your selection would be to check the tube length and its reach.

The tube length is the distance between the top of the head tube and the bottom bracket. The reach is the distance between the head tube and bottom bracket. You can use these measurements to find a compatible option.

People whose height ranges between 4’10” -5’2”, should get a frame size ranging between 13”-14”. Those between 5’2” -5’6”, need a frame size measuring 15”-16”. Individuals who are 5’6” -5’10” tall, require frame sizes that are 17”-18”.

Tall 5’10” -6’1” individuals, require 19”-20” frame sizes. Those who are 6’1” -6’4” require 21”-22” frames, and those between 6’4” -6’6”; need one that is between 23”-24”. Big brands typically offer this wide variety.

Seat height is not a weighty factor if you have the previous measurements. You can adjust the seat some more, to prime yourself for a particular style.

Riding downhill requires a low saddle, which gives the rider a low center of gravity. Some seats have a dropper, where you can change the elevation at the touch of a button. Such features help you achieve better balance.