So, you’re really bent on getting into cycling. It should be easy. Right? Just get any bike. Look for a trail and pedal away. Wrong! This is the fastest way to get yourself into trouble.

When looking for a bike, there are quite a number of things to consider. You have to think about sizing and fit. Do you want a hardtail or a full suspension bike? What about frame materials? I can’t possibly cover all the technical issues of buying your first bike. What I can do is offer some advice to help you in the purchasing process. Just click on Your First Bike.

When you finally take your new bike home, click on Your First Ride for some pointers on basic mountain biking. Other articles in the site cover issues such as correct cornering, shifting, downhill riding, climbing, etc. Don’t forget to look through these pages to further improve your riding skills.