Mountain Bike Buying Guide
Finding The Right Mountain Bike
Whether you're seeking adventure, a break from your routine, or a challenging workout, there’s a mountain bike that’s perfect for you. We have an excellent selection of mountain bikes that are ideally suited for our Northern Michigan bike trails and a friendly team of cyclist enthusiasts on hand to answer all of your MTB questions.
Shop Trek, Cannondale, Haro, Ibis and other top-notch mountain bike brands.
What To Look for in a Mountain Bike
There's no magic brand, price point or model for finding the perfect mountain bike. The key to choosing the right mountain bike is to base the decision on your needs now and what you anticipate doing with the bike most often. Here are a few mountain bike buying tips:
Drivetrain first. As a general rule, always invest in the best drivetrain you can for your budget. Mountain bikers shift much more frequently than road bikers and often in gritty, sandy and wet conditions. That's why it's usually a good idea to opt for the next level components before focusing on a carbon frame or other parts.
Fit is everything. While some rider may be able to ride two different size mountain bike frames because of their height, make sure you get the right size even if it means passing up on a discounted bike. You wouldn't buy the wrong size shoes, even if they were on sale. Fit makes all the difference!
Buy for what you ride the most. While it can be tempting to buy a long-travel mountain bike for your annual trip to Marquette, you'll probably wish you had a hardtail or a short travel bike for the other 300+ riding days of the year. Buy the bike you'll be happy with for your local loop or local bike races like the Iceman, Peak2Peak or Mud, Sweat and Beers.
Ask questions. Don't be afraid to get into the details. Our staff loves bikes and loves talking parts, gear ratios and tire pressures. If we don't have an answer, we'll get an answer, even if it means hunting down the tech department at Trek or Cannondale.
Ride it. We're happy to toss pedals on and get you outside for a test ride. Show up with your riding gear, helmet, and everything you need to get a good feel for how the bike handles and rolls.
What Type Of Mountain Bike Should I Get?
One of the best things about mountain bikes is the variety! Brands like Trek and Cannondale make several different variations of the traditional mountain bike that make it easy to find the right kind of mountain bike for Traverse City and the way you ride.
Hardtail Mountain Bikes
Hardtail, or front-suspension, mountain bikes are great all-around off-road machines. Their simple design makes them a good choice for riding trails, gravel paths, light bikepacking, and even pavement.
Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes
Full-suspension mountain bikes are designed to tackle a variety of tricky terrain. Having front and rear suspension helps keep both wheels in contact with the trail for better traction and control.
29er Mountain Bikes
With a larger wheel diameter, 29” mountain bikes offer big benefits to the rider. Bigger wheels roll faster, and you’ll experience greater momentum, better stability, and improved traction on a 29er.
Fat Bikes
Arguably the most fun bikes out there, fat bikes have nice, thick tires that allow you to tear through snow, sand, and any other sloppy conditions that you can find. If you’re looking for traction and control, you want a fat bike.
Buying A Mountain Bike - FAQs
Not sure what to get? Here are some of the most common questions we hear from customers looking to find the right mountain for Traverse City trails, their skill level and their budget.
How do I know what size mountain bike to get?
Most bike manufacturers will publish height recommendations based on specific frame sizes. We'll help you find the right size mountain bike and help you make basic adjustments to ensure you're safe, comfortable and pain-free, mile after a mile.
How much does a mountain bike cost?
Mountain bikes from top brands range anywhere from $250 for a kids' bike to $10,000 or more. Our wide range of brands gives us access to mountain bikes in several price points. Most entry-level mountain bikes start at $750, while race-ready mountain bikes are typically $1800 or more.
We'll help you find the right bike for your budget.
Should I buy a new or used mountain bike?
Buying a new mountain bike from Brick Wheels has a couple of BIG advantages over used bikes. When you buy a new Trek, Cannondale or any brand mountain bike at Brick, you'll get:
- A free first tune-up
- Manufacture warranty
- A discount on accessories when you purchase your bike
