How to buy a mountain bike

Mountain biking is the greatest gift from the gods of cycling. Not only is it just plain fun, but it can help you improve your fitness, endurance and coordination, and can take you to some of the world's most amazing places. Watch out, or it just might become the most worthwhile passion in your life.

Now it’s time to get serious about buying a mountain bike. Follow these practical steps to get the right mountain bike for you.

A trusted retailer is your best guide to mountain biking. Bike shops are filled with all the right stuff you need to make the most of your new passion, along with amazing people who can deliver an incredible shopping experience.

Find your bike

Trek retailers have knowledgeable, unbiased advice. They will listen to your concerns and how you plan to ride, then get you on the best bike possible.

Test rides

What matters most is how a bike feels to you. Test-riding multiple mountain bikes will help you learn the difference between hardtails and full suspension bikes or cross country and trail bikes.

Bike fit

Fit matters a lot on the trail. Your Trek retailer can get you on a properly sized bike and dial-in the fit just for you.

Proper bike set-up

Want to know how to set up your bike's suspension or what PSI your tyres should be? Your friendly bike shop employee can show you how it’s done, and these things will make your ride so much better.

Local knowledge

So you have the bike, but where are you going to ride it? Your local Trek retailer knows the local trails, including which are good for beginners and which are good for thrill-seekers. They know which trails are really busy at the weekend and where the under-rated gems are. They might even be able to set you up with a trail pass right there in the shop.

Bike maintenance

Hopefully, you’re going to ride your mountain bike hard and often. It will need maintenance. Your local Trek retailer has some of the best bike mechanics in your area. They’ll let you know when to bring it in for service and sort out any issues you might have so you can keep riding your best.

There will be a time when your trusted Trek retailer isn’t by your side and you need some advice on how to set up your suspension. For those moments in your garage or on the trail, there's the online suspension calculator.

You may become consumed with mountain biking, but despite your best effort, you can’t monitor the Internet constantly for new mountain bikes or mountain bike parts to lust over. Stay in the loop by signing up for Trek emails.

People make the ride

Mountain biking is full of great people and great organisations who really want to make the world a better place. Here are some of our favourites. We hope they become some of your favourites as well.

NICA

Trek and Trek retailers make up the largest annual contribution to the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and are fully committed to supporting NICA's mission to get more kids on bikes.

Learn more

PeopleForBikes

PeopleForBikes makes the world better for all cyclists everywhere. They're your resource and voice for better riding experiences.

Learn more