Pat Edmonson Motorcycles.

Pro Bike

Tips on Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike

 

Every year bicycle manufacturers make better, lighter and cheaper mountain bikes which make them more attractive to consumers. Do you want to buy a full suspension mountain bike? If you do below is a list of items that you might want to considered before buying a new mountain bike.

 

One of the most important questions to ask yourself is what type of terrain will you be riding on? If you are going to be riding cross country maybe a full suspension mountain bike is not warranted and a hardtail will better suit your needs. However if you are going to be riding downhill or on rough terrain a full suspension bike might be right up your alley.

 

Determine your budget and stick to it. Consider buying the best bike you can afford within your budget. Many riders suggest that if you have less then $700 to spend on a bike you might want to consider a hardtail because full suspension bikes are more costly. However you could consider buying a used full suspension bike at a good price on a mountain bike classifieds site.

 

If you determine that a full suspension mountain bike is what you need and want then consider the different frame designs. Single-pivot, sweet-spot and horst-link are a few popular designs and each has their advantages and disadvantages. The best way to truly understand the difference is to go to a few bike stores and test ride the different designs. The bike store guy will be more then happy to explain and point out the pros and cons of each design.

 

Remember that full suspension bikes are heavier then hardtail bikes. Full suspension frames are a little heavier and they carry more parts then hardtails so be prepared to pedal around a little more weight on the trail.

 

Read some of the online forums to determine what other riders like and don’t like about their bikes. You can learn a lot from other rider’s opinions.

 

Do not forget to factor in your maintenance costs into the equation. Full suspension bikes require a little more maintenance and for the do it yourself type you will need a few extra tools.

 

Finally, test ride as many bikes as you can before buying. Also do not forget to test ride a full suspension mountain bike with the front and or rear shock locked out.

 

See you on the trail

About the Author

Experience with full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.

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Pro Bike Case $299.99 Pro Bike Case. The Pro Bike Case is the ultimate in professional level transport. Heavy-duty construction, internal aluminum stabilizer frame and super-secure latches provide safe and reliable transport of your bike. Its molded shape even allows multiple cases to be stacked together for team events. Fits almost any bike frame, including large road bikes and full suspension mountain bikes, plus a set of wheels with extra room for your gear and tools.

Spin Doctor Pro Bike Build $99.99 Spin Doctor Pro Bike Build. span class=product_name_exclusiveGet your bike fully assembled and delivered right to your door/span with our Spin Doctor Pro Bike Build. Our certified Spin Doctor Techs professionally assemble your bike and assure a quality build with our Spin Doctor Checklist. Your new bike will arrive Quality Sealed and ready to ride. p When you purchase our Spin Doctor Pro Bike Build, your bike will be:br ul liProfessionally assembled by our skill-certified Spin Doctor Technicians, certified through our extensive training program drawing from our 27 years of experience in the bike business./li liTested for build quality with our Spin Doctor Checklist. a href=/images/performance/web/PDFs/09_SpinDr_BuildChecklist.pdf target=newView checklist [PDF]/a/li liQuality Sealed, Easy to Unpack, and Ready to Ride./li liEach purchase is accompanied by a Blue Envelope, including coupons and additional information about your bike./li *will add 1-5 days to shipping time/li *service not available on Downhill mtn. bikes and some other large bikes/li /ul

Pearl Izumi Women's P.R.O. Mountain Bike Shoes $99.99 Pearl Izumi Women's P.R.O. Mountain Bike Shoes. The lightest, high-performance, women's mountain bike shoes Pearl Izumi has ever made featuring a buckled closure AND a carbon sole.

2010 Fuji Cross Pro Cyclocross Bike $1299 2010 Fuji Cross Pro Cyclocross Bike. The Fuji Cross Pro Cyclocross Bike is one road bike you'll love to throw over your shoulder. SRAM Rival 20-speed drivetrain blends race-proven technology with ergonomic perfection to give you a new level of shifting performance. Fuji PGC alloy handlebar, stem and seatpost guarantee cyclocross-worthy strength, style and performance.

Fuji SL1 Pro Limited Edition Road Bike $1649 Fuji SL1 Pro Limited Edition Road Bike. This lightweight, Shimano Ultegra-equipped carbon road bike from Fuji is bred for speed -- and it doesn't sacrifice a thing when it comes to comfort, either. Whether you're a weekend racer, serious recreational rider, or a casual cyclist who simply appreciates the responsive ride of a high-performance road bike, the Fuji SL1 Pro Limited Edition will put a smile on your face and and the unmistakable look of envy on your cycling buddy's mugs. From the compact FSA Gossamer crankset, to the lightweight, Oval 524 wheelset, the Fuji SL1 Pro delivers all the performance you could ask for.

2010 GT Marathon Carbon Pro Mountain Bike $2999 2010 GT Marathon Carbon Pro Mountain Bike. Think full suspension and full-out XC performance are as incompatible as ice cream and ketchup? The folks who bring you the GT Marathon Carbon Pro beg to differ. Light, responsive, and incredibly well-mannered at speed, it's a full-on XC race bike to its core--but with a trail-taming demeanor that no hardtail can match.

Team Bike Case $249.99 Team Bike Case. The Team Bike Case is the compact, pro-level way to transport your ride. Tough construction with foam interior, webbing straps and plenty of security measures guarantee safe transit every time. Fits most bike frames and a set of wheels.

Northwave Lizzard Pro Mountain Bike Shoes $104.99 Northwave Lizzard Pro Mountain Bike Shoes. These sporty bike shoes combine style with functionality for everyday riding comfort. Natural rubber outsole with carbon provides excellent grip, even on the descents. Airflow System supplies constant and enhanced ventilation all around the foot within the upper. Omega Heel maximizes power output and three Velcro straps give you a secure fit.

Fort Pro Locking Mountain Bike Grips $19.99 Fort Pro Locking Mountain Bike Grips. Grab hold as tight as you want, because these grips aren't going anywhere. Locking clamps keep them in place and dual-density rubber compound with knurled half-waffle pattern makes them super comfortable and shock-absorbing.

2010 Breezer Thunder Pro Mountain Bike $1399 2010 Breezer Thunder Pro Mountain Bike. Hear that? It's the urge to compete calling you. Why not answer on a machine that lets you speak with authority? Tough cross-country courses, technical descents and rowdy terrain are no match for your skills when you express yourself in your outdoor voice on the highly articulate and competently equipped Breezer Thunder Pro.

2012 Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 Road Bike $3399.99 2012 Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 Road Bike. The sleek and lightweight Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 begs to be ridden fast, responds instantly to your commands, and delivers vibration-damping resilience to enhance handling. It features a unidirectional carbon fiber frame and carbon fork, SRAM Force compact drivetrain for precise-shifting and efficient climbing, powerful SRAM Force linear-pull brakes and lightweight and responsive DT Swiss wheelset.

Ritchey Pro Flat Mountain Bike Handlebar 5 Degree Sweep $59.99 Ritchey Pro Flat Mountain Bike Handlebar 5 Degree Sweep. The Ritchey Pro Flat Handlebar combines the lower riding position offered by flat mountain bike bars with just a touch of sweep. It's constructed of double-butted 2014 alloy for lightweight strength and features a bead-blasted anodized finish for enhanced fatigue resistance.

2011 GT GTR CX Pro Cyclocross Bike $1599.99 2011 GT GTR CX Pro Cyclocross Bike. Here's another great idea from the good folks at GT -- a competition-ready cyclocross bike that even us privateers can afford. The GT GTR CX Pro is a no-excuses rig that's ready to race right off the showroom floor. The Kinesium double-butted alloy frame is stiff enough for aggressive sprints, lightweight and responsive enough to propel you to the front if your legs and lungs are up to it, and rugged enough to soak up lap after rutted lap of CX abuse. The Easton EA70 carbon fork damps vibrations for better handling, the rugged and reliable SRAM Rival drivetrain keeps the gears you need coming, and the Tektro CR-720 cantilever brakes keep your speed under control on those rare occasions when you actually want to go slower.

2011 GT Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro Mountain Bike $2499 2011 GT Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro Mountain Bike. If your mountain biking style is about speed, flow and finesse, then you'll love what the GT Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro brings to the table. It's sleek, very lightweight and every inch a XC racer's bike. Outfitted with a SRAM XO/X9 drivetrain, Fox F29 fork with 100mm of bump-busting travel and powerful Formula R1X disc brakes, the Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro is bred for speed and built to deliver it.

2011 Fuji SL1 Pro Road Bike -- Performance Exclusive $1649 2011 Fuji SL1 Pro Road Bike -- Performance Exclusive. Forget what you learned in driver's ed. When it comes to the 2011 Fuji SL1 Pro road bike, red means GO! This lightweight, Ultegra-equipped carbon road race bike is bred for speed -- and it's no slouch when it comes to comfort, either. From the compact FSA Gossamer crankset, to the sturdy and lightweight Alex wheels, the Fuji SL1 Pro delivers all the performance you need for keeping up with the pace in a local crit, tackling your first century or enjoying the camaraderie on a charity ride.

2012 Diamondback Grind Pro 20" Street/Park BMX Bike $239.99 2012 Diamondback Grind Pro 20 Street/Park BMX Bike. From its sturdy high-tensile steel frame and fork to its street-worthy freestyle components -- including SST ORYG detangler for easy bar spins, powerful U-brakes, rugged 48-spoke alloy wheels and trick-ready foot pegs -- the Diamondback Grind Pro BMX bike is everything the new or developing BMX rider needs to sharpen his or her skills.

2012 Diamondback Podium Pro Road Bike -- Performance Exclusive $2879.99 2012 Diamondback Podium Pro Road Bike -- Performance Exclusive. When Diamondback introduced the Podium line of carbon road bikes in 2010, they caught all of us off-guard. After all, Diamondback built its reputation by designing and producing some of the winningest BMX and mountain bikes in the industry. But the Podium shows that their talent clearly doesn't stop where the dirt ends. A true, high-performance race bike, the Performance-Exclusive Podium Pro features a monocoque competition road frame with internal cable routing, carbon dropouts, tapered headtube and press-fit BB30. A well-thought out combination of Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra components delivers smooth and precise shifts while nicely balancing performance, weight and cost. Tektro dual-pivot brakes, alloy cockpit components and lightweight Equation wheelset round out the Podium Pro's specs, demonstrating that Diamondback definitely knows how to kit out a proper road bike. One look at the price and you'll want to know how they manage to offer you so much bike for the money.

2012 Eastern Cobra BMX Bike $289.99 2012 Eastern Cobra BMX Bike. You'd better be ready when this Cobra strikes. Loaded with a potent mix of quality components and Eastern's pro-circuit bike-buliding expertise, the 2012 Cobra BMX bike is a killer value in a full-featured beginner's BMX bike. Eastern started with a high-tensile steel frame and added a Nitrous Shifter 3-piece crankset, 25/9 gearing, rugged bar, stem and seat/post combo, forged alloy rear U-brake and their world-famous Eastern Crown pedals to make the Cobra lightening-quick on the street, in the dirt or at the park.

Fort Pro Replacement Cleats $14.99 Fort Pro Replacement Cleats. Replacement cleats for the Fort Pro and RC-7 road bike pedal systems.

2012 GT Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro Mountain Bike $4999.99 2012 GT Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro Mountain Bike. Leave it to the designers at GT to never let up when it comes to bringing great bikes to market. The Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro is the latest manifestation of their insanely prolific creativity. Designed from the ground up to be stiff, fast, ultra-sensitive to small bumps, and devoid of suspension-induced pedal feedback (thanks to GT's exclusive Independent Drivetrain system) the 100mm-travel Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro exhibits virtually bomb-proof durability to ensure that it won't let you down no matter how hard you push it. And push it you will. Outfitted with a Fox 32 Float RL fork, Shimano XT 2x10 shifters and derailleurs and lightweight DT Swiss wheelset, the Zaskar begs to be ridden fast, ridden far, and ridden over just about anything in its way.

2010 Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes $109.99 2010 Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes. Mavic teamed up with women cross-country riders to develop women's Mountain Bike shoes that shed mud like a pro, effectively transfer power, increase ventilation and conform to the female foot - need we say more?

GORE BIKE WEAR Oxygen SO Leg Warmers $59.99 GORE BIKE WEAR Oxygen SO Leg Warmers. These pro-level leg warmers protect you from cold, drizzle and wind while enhancing warmth, comfort and flexibility.

GORE BIKE WEAR Oxygen SO Arm Warmers $39.99 GORE BIKE WEAR Oxygen SO Arm Warmers. These pro-level arm warmers protect you from cold, drizzle and wind while enhancing warmth, comfort and flexibility.

Campagnolo Pro-Fit Engaging Hooks $39.99 Campagnolo Pro-Fit Engaging Hooks. Replacement cleat for Campagnolo Pro-Fit road bike pedal system.

Campagnolo Pro-Fit Replacement Cleats $19.99 Campagnolo Pro-Fit Replacement Cleats. Replacement cleat for Campagnolo Pro-Fit Road Bike Pedal system.

Fuji Altamira 3.0 Road Bike $1799.99 Fuji Altamira 3.0 Road Bike. The ultralight Fuji Altamira 3.0 has racing in its DNA and a 2011 Vuelta win as its pedigree. Tested and refined on the Pro Tour, the C-4 carbon frame with tapered head tube and oversized downtube provides a stiff, stable and highly responsive platform for satisfying your need for speed. A monocoque carbon fork with alloy steerer, Shimano 105 drivetrain and Oval components and wheels round out the Altamira's race-ready spec.

Fort Pro Road Stem $24.99 Fort Pro Road Stem. Redesigned with more strength and stiffness, the Fort Pro Road Bike Stem puts YOU in control of your ride!

2012 Eastern Piston BMX Bike $269.99 2012 Eastern Piston BMX Bike. If you've been around BMX for awhile, you already know that Eastern Bikes makes some of the hottest pro-level BMX bikes on the circuit. If you're new to BMX, the first thing you need to know about Eastern is that they make beginner's BMX bikes with the same quality and attention to detail as the bikes the factory pros ride. Take the Eastern Bikes Piston, for example. It features a super-rugged high-tensile steel frame and fork designed to stand up to the abuse first-time BMXers dish out while they're learning the sport. The rest of the Piston's components, including handlebar, stem, 1-piece chromoly crankset and alloy wheels are equally bomb-proof. Plus, Eastern's lifetime frame upgrade policy saves you money when it's time for a new bike.

2012 Eastern Battery Freestyle BMX Bike $279.99 2012 Eastern Battery Freestyle BMX Bike. Make no mistake, the entry-level Eastern Battery BMX bike is nothing like the cheap BMX-style bikes you'll find on the floor of your local big box discount store. Instead, the Battery is a beginner's freestyle BMX bike that's designed and manufactured with the same quality and attention to detail that goes into Eastern's pro-level bikes. Because first-time riders can actually be harder on their equipment than expert riders, the Battery uses heavier steel tubing than pro BMX bikes. Components are heavier and more rugged, too. Rugged, fun, well-made and affordable, the Eastern Battery is the perfect bike for young riders who want to take a stab at perfecting jumps and tricks or who want to cruise the neighborhood in style.

2012 Eastern Warhammer Freestyle BMX Bike $309.99 2012 Eastern Warhammer Freestyle BMX Bike. The Eastern Warhammer Freestyle BMX Bike has everything the beginner BMX freestyler needs to master all the tricks. It has a strong and durable high-tensile steel frame and fork, tubular chromoly 3-piece cranks, 9x25 gearing, forged alloy rear U-brake with detangler, and rugged alloy wheels. Built with the same quality and attention to detail that Eastern puts into its Expert and Pro-level BMX bikes, the Warhammer is all the bike you need to go from newbie to gnarly in no time flat.

2012 GT Karakoram 2.0 29er Mountain Bike $849.99 2012 GT Karakoram 2.0 29er Mountain Bike. GT introduced the iconic Karakoram mountain bike in 1988 as a 26 model. Retired in 1993, the Karakoram marque is now back, and it's bigger and badder than ever. Featuring GT's legendary Triple Triangle 6061 aluminum frame, the new Karakoram has been up-sized to accommodate 29 wheels. Complete with a Rock Shox XC28 TK Mg suspension fork with 100mm travel, 27-speed Shimano drivetrain, Tektro Draco Pro hydraulic disc brakes and 29 Alex double-wall alloy wheels, the Karakoram 2.0 29er is an even more capable and fun-to-ride trail bike than the original.

Mavic 26" Crossride UB Mountain Bike Wheelset $199.99 Mavic 26 Crossride UB Mountain Bike Wheelset. Experience the quality, efficiency, reliability and value that have made Mavic wheels a top choice of pro and recreational riders worldwide. The Crossride UB Mountain Bike wheelset delivers performance, light weight and great aesthetics a very affordable price.

Fort Pro Road OS Stem $24.99 Fort Pro Road OS Stem. Redesigned with more strength and stiffness, the Fort Pro Road Bike OS Stem puts YOU in control of your ride!

Giro Code Mountain Bike Shoes $289.99 Giro Code Mountain Bike Shoes. div align=centeriframe width=350 height=208 src=http://www.youtube.com/embed/WbsSVSrfB7g?rel=0 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframe/divbr /br / The secret to a raw power lies within the Code mountain shoes. Easton EC90 unidirectional carbon outsole delivers pro-level stiffness for the most efficient power transfer available. Its traction-hungry lugs provide excellent mud-shedding and adherence to the pedals, making it a favorite among hardcore trail riders and XC racers. SuperNatural Fit Kit with adjustable arch support enhances comfort, scuff-guards boost durability and streamlined upper with ratchet/strap closure seals the deal with a sleek, secure fit.

Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes $129.95 Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes. Mavic teamed up with women cross-country riders to develop Mountain Bike shoes that shed mud like a pro, effectively transfer power, increase ventilation and conform to the female foot. Built with high-traction Contagrip lugs, plus the comfort and fit of the Energy Grip outsole, Ergo Fit 2D Women's insole, Ergo Ratchet and Comfort straps, the Scorpio is perfectly equipped for cross-country speed. Removable traction studs provide excellent grip and mud clearance on the run-ups.

2012 Fuji Altamira 3.0 Road Bike $1999.99 2012 Fuji Altamira 3.0 Road Bike. The 2012 Fuji Altamira 3.0 is an ultralight road bike with racing in its DNA. Tested and refined on the Pro Tour, the C-4 carbon frame with tapered head tube and oversized downtube provides a stiff and stable platform that responds instantly to rider input, whether you're powering up a climb, sprinting for the county line or railing the hairpins on a high-speed descent. A monocoque carbon fork with alloy steerer, Shimano 105 drivetrain and Oval cockpit and wheels round out the Altamira's component spec.

Mavic Pro Road Shoes $249.99 Mavic Pro Road Shoes. Extremely comfortable, good fitting, stiff, well-ventilated and lightweight, these race-ready road bike shoes are all about pro-level performance.

FSA Pro ATB 104mmX32T Chainring $42.99 FSA Pro ATB 104mmX32T Chainring. CNC-machined from AL7075/T6, FSA Pro ATB chainrings are ramped and pinned for perfect shifting. Pro ATB chainrings are compatible with 9/10-speed mountain bike drivetrains.

FSA Pro ATB 64mmX22T Chainring $22.99 FSA Pro ATB 64mmX22T Chainring. CNC-machined from AL7075/T6, FSA Pro ATB chainrings are ramped and pinned for perfect shifting. Pro ATB chainrings are compatible with 9/10-speed mountain bike drivetrains.

FSA Pro ATB 104mmX44T Chainring $44.99 FSA Pro ATB 104mmX44T Chainring. CNC-machined from AL7075/T6, FSA Pro ATB chainrings are ramped and pinned for perfect shifting. Pro ATB chainrings are compatible with 9/10-speed mountain bike drivetrains.

Inaugural 2010 NHRA 4 Wide Nationals Pro Stock Bike Qualifying