Buying a Cheap Or Discount Mountain Bike - The Essential Tips You Must Know
By Lee Myring

If in these financially challenging times you are looking for a cheap mountain bike, or a premium quality one at a big discount there are a few simple but essential tips to follow to ensure that your hard earned money is not wasted;

Avoid buying bikes under $250. I appreciate that this goes against the idea of buying a cheap mountain bike but it won't be a bargain if it falls apart after a few days out or requires frequent repairs. These bikes are not real all terrain despite their looks, they will also require extra maintenance and when parts do inevitably wear out or break (as they do on all bikes), getting replacements may be an issue.

Buy a name that you know - lots of retail outlets are stocked to the roof with cheap imports and sub $200 bikes - having chunky tires doesn't make them mountain bikes! Looks for the likes of Schwinn, Mongoose, Kona, Specialized, GT amongst others as all of these brands produce budget ranges.

Look for bikes with quality accessories - Shimano, Suntour, Rockshox and other premium brands are to be found on quality budget bikes.

Don't forget quality used bikes - you can buy a top quality bike at a massive discount if you go for a used model. These will normally be on a par or better than a new cheap brand bike.

Look for last years models as these can be bought cheap or with a good discount, and often the changes to current models will be things like colors and detailing.

If you follow these simple tips you will end up with a bike that will last for many years to come.

To continue reading essential mountain bike buying tips and for more FREE information please visit our website at http://www.mountainbikescheap.com

Lee Myring is a former semi-pro cyclist, having worked in the cycle industry both on the sales and technical fronts for over 15 years. He is currently one of the team at http://www.mountainbikescheap.com a website dedicated to helping cyclists of all levels from novices to wannabe professional riders get the most from mountain biking as a sport. The website has a huge range of bikes, accessories, apparel and upgrades to suit all budgets as well as a comprehensive reviews and tips section. Be sure to check it out!

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