1. The most important thing about buying a new bike is to make sure it fits. The only way you'll know if the bike is right for you is to size up the bike and make sure that the bike's geometry matches your body's geometry. Ask questions and do some research.
mtn. biking 101
2. If possible, try to find a shop that will let you demo the bike on real dirt. Five minutes in a parking lot won't cut it. You wouldn't buy a car without a real world test drive, and a bike should be no different.
3. Don't belive the hype. Just because your favorite rider or best friend rides a certain bike, that doesn't mean that's the best one for you. Have an open mind and be realistic about your needs and ability.
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Threads 1 to 100 of 275

Forum: Beginner's Corner

  1. Listen! Sticky Thread Sticky: NOOBS!...read this.

    Started by CHUM, 06-17-2011
    39 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 39
    • Replies: 969
    • Views: 78,575
    6 Days Ago Go to last post
  2. Sticky Thread Sticky: Mountain Bike Ride Packing List

    Started by mfranklin01, 06-20-2007
    25 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 25
    • Replies: 624
    • Views: 143,587
    18 Hours Ago Go to last post
  3. Sticky Thread Sticky: Basic Cleaning and Maintenance Guide

    Started by SteveUK, 07-21-2006
    25 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 25
    • Replies: 603
    • Views: 144,549
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  4. Sticky Thread Sticky: MTBR Glossary

    Started by David C, 08-12-2011
    13 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 13
    • Replies: 318
    • Views: 34,016
    04-08-2013 Go to last post
  5. Listen! Sticky Thread Sticky: Mountain Biking Skills Videos

    Started by Hutch3637, 09-29-2011
    13 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 13
    • Replies: 318
    • Views: 55,887
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 0
    • Views: 1,476
    04-14-2013 Go to last post
  1. ... and if we just ... Your Entry Level MTB (Pics and Upgrades)

    Started by spec4life, 08-27-2008
    120 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 120
    • Replies: 2,986
    • Views: 755,738
    1 Day Ago Go to last post
  2. What did You do today on your mountain bike?

    Started by Edirty6, 07-01-2012
    39 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 39
    • Replies: 957
    • Views: 51,191
    3 Hours Ago Go to last post
  3. If you want to upgrade your Suntour fork

    Started by wmac, 12-27-2012
    19 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 19
    • Replies: 465
    • Views: 32,010
    1 Day Ago Go to last post
  4. What do you "hate" about mountain biking?

    Started by doctadocta, 3 Weeks Ago
    6 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5 ... 6
    • Replies: 129
    • Views: 4,784
    7 Hours Ago Go to last post
  5. Upset Pedo's on bike trails, was I out of line?

    Started by Antomine, 3 Weeks Ago
    5 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5
    • Replies: 102
    • Views: 4,079
    2 Days Ago Go to last post
  6. Lucky folks with 2k+ bikes, I am Jealous!

    Started by backwoodz, 4 Weeks Ago
    5 Pages
    1 2 3 4 5
    • Replies: 100
    • Views: 2,931
    4 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  7. Egg Beater v. SPD

    Started by rowotter, 06-14-2012
    4 Pages
    1 2 3 4
    • Replies: 97
    • Views: 9,075
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  8. Noob Buyer's Guide

    Started by wmac, 09-02-2012
    4 Pages
    1 2 3 4
    • Replies: 89
    • Views: 11,895
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  9. What's wrong with a 26 inch wheel

    Started by caljah, 1 Week Ago
    3 Pages
    1 2 3
    • Replies: 64
    • Views: 2,029
    3 Days Ago Go to last post
  10. Is BikesDirect good?

    Started by 101Surge, 05-13-2012
    3 Pages
    1 2 3
    • Replies: 63
    • Views: 7,460
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  11. Good job! Mods, regulars, and forum contributors

    Started by FEVERAKA, 03-08-2013
    3 Pages
    1 2 3
    • Replies: 51
    • Views: 1,223
    4 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  12. I hate Gleitmo!

    Started by nagant, 03-04-2013
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 47
    • Views: 1,255
    1 Day Ago Go to last post
  13. Ok help?

    Started by CrashDummy31, 2 Weeks Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 47
    • Views: 937
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  14. Noob Guide to Geometry, Bike Fit and Handling

    Started by wmac, 11-30-2012
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 42
    • Views: 4,048
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  15. theft preventions at home?

    Started by fondoo, 1 Week Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 41
    • Views: 1,217
    3 Days Ago Go to last post
  16. New question here. Are Mountain Bikes Good For Urban Riding?

    Started by TomBrooklyn, 6 Days Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 39
    • Views: 1,052
    40 Minutes Ago Go to last post
  17. Debating on a change....

    Started by 2logicl, 04-19-2013
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 36
    • Views: 942
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  18. newest member first mountain bike looking to upgrade

    Started by sbrodacz, 3 Weeks Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 36
    • Views: 682
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 31
    • Views: 653
    4 Hours Ago Go to last post
  19. What I hate about mountain biking ...

    Started by Bruce in SoCal, 3 Weeks Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 30
    • Views: 1,351
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  20. How to drop handle bar at stem?

    Started by wrench420, 1 Week Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 30
    • Views: 816
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  21. Girlfriend bike ideas?

    Started by sgnden, 5 Days Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 30
    • Views: 722
    18 Hours Ago Go to last post
  22. Drivetrain Upgrade

    Started by Borges21, 2 Days Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 27
    • Views: 375
    7 Hours Ago Go to last post
  23. Gaining back confidence while going downhill

    Started by Lateralus1082, 07-06-2012
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 26
    • Views: 1,600
    1 Day Ago Go to last post
  24. Two common problems, what are your experiences?

    Started by hankscorpio, 6 Days Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 26
    • Views: 830
    2 Days Ago Go to last post
  25. First post, Felt nine 80

    Started by Totoslave, 3 Weeks Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 26
    • Views: 641
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  26. Crank Brother Eggbeaters

    Started by dbigfot111, 4 Weeks Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 25
    • Views: 586
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  27. Noob looking for 2 new bikes, well maybe just one.

    Started by ptex, 4 Weeks Ago
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 25
    • Views: 516
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  28. Removing front gears??

    Started by Todd Guidry, 2 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 24
    • Views: 711
    3 Days Ago Go to last post
  29. Upgrade or New Bike

    Started by Borges21, 5 Days Ago
    • Replies: 24
    • Views: 409
    2 Days Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 23
    • Views: 1,705
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  30. Please help with my 1st bike

    Started by COneversummer, 03-15-2012
    • Replies: 23
    • Views: 3,258
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 23
    • Views: 506
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  31. Choices...

    Started by NFLcheesehead1, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 22
    • Views: 465
    4 Days Ago Go to last post
  32. Noob !

    Started by erickxcr, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 21
    • Views: 527
    3 Hours Ago Go to last post
  33. good newbie mtb for ~$500?

    Started by kv2, 4 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 20
    • Views: 714
    4 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 20
    • Views: 1,003
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  34. New bike for beginner

    Started by Smidger1201, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 20
    • Views: 639
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  35. Fork Upgrade

    Started by JumpRefusal, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 20
    • Views: 518
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 20
    • Views: 543
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  36. Frame Upgrade

    Started by NFLcheesehead1, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 20
    • Views: 472
    5 Days Ago Go to last post
  37. Caution;  Merge;  Workers Ahead! i need advice desperately

    Started by portalhell, 08-28-2012
    • Replies: 18
    • Views: 993
    Rod
    4 Days Ago Go to last post
  38. Mountain Bike Learing Curve

    Started by longslow, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 18
    • Views: 617
    RTM
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  39. ANOTHER First bike Thread!!!!

    Started by Antomine, 4 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 18
    • Views: 830
    4 Days Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 18
    • Views: 353
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  40. Rockshox Reba fork question?

    Started by Kiwi_GR_Biker, 4 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 614
    4 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 677
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 611
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  41. Help : XC or All Mountain?

    Started by Mike123456, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 698
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 550
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  42. Going Uphill

    Started by Dresdenlock, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 17
    • Views: 765
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  43. Helmets... teach me.

    Started by fuzzbomb, 01-15-2011
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 1,083
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  44. Bike building question :)

    Started by ejsapayan, 2 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 454
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 467
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 474
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 381
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 559
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 542
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  45. Need help! FIRST BIKE!

    Started by TeeC, 03-25-2013
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 700
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  46. Chain slips

    Started by bikeRider88, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 469
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  47. too much travel fork?

    Started by Alex Steiner, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 547
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 14
    • Views: 283
    5 Days Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 14
    • Views: 345
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  48. New brakes for my hardrock

    Started by Njhardrock, 2 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 14
    • Views: 319
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 14
    • Views: 493
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 1,219
    2 Days Ago Go to last post
  49. Why are my spare tubes flat?

    Started by goodmojo, 2 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 390
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  50. anyone use this rigid fork?

    Started by jhmeathead, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 442
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 4,511
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  51. Poll Poll: SCOTT or MARIN, Help me buy!

    Started by Daranello, 4 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 465
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  52. Help me pick a size

    Started by Wildman1024, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 343
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 351
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 604
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  53. Help..fork and headset

    Started by larryarroyo, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 249
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 406
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  54. Upgrades: when? why?

    Started by airforceteacher, 2 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 486
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  55. Could someone school me on axles?

    Started by wrench420, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 364
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  56. Giant v. Jamis v. Specialized

    Started by Colorado29, 5 Days Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 506
    3 Days Ago Go to last post
  57. Help me pick a bike!

    Started by drewinthedesert, 2 Days Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 254
    1 Day Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 266
    23 Hours Ago Go to last post
  58. offset or layback seatpost

    Started by rightguard, 1 Day Ago
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 256
    59 Minutes Ago Go to last post
  59. Music

    Started by FlowMaster23, 03-10-2013
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 439
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 422
    4 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 498
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  60. rockhopper broken chain

    Started by tripptallica, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 353
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 476
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  61. Advice: 93 Nishiki Alien

    Started by Honalua, 2 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 315
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  62. Giant talon 0 12 3x9 to 3x 10

    Started by Wyrd, 03-03-2013
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 519
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 398
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 331
    4 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  63. Cheap bike for GF

    Started by flyinb501, 4 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 506
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  64. Which bike would you choose?

    Started by bcnland, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 440
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  65. Major NOOB f up!

    Started by aw2013, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 617
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 459
    3 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  66. Bikes have arrived.

    Started by ptex, 3 Weeks Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 397
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 339
    2 Weeks Ago Go to last post
  67. Trying to understand some terms

    Started by caljah, 2 Days Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 242
    18 Hours Ago Go to last post
  68. Help buying my first bike.

    Started by laxxer, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 450
    1 Week Ago Go to last post
  69. New forks or crankset?

    Started by theavada11, 1 Week Ago
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 344
    6 Days Ago Go to last post
  70. mountain bike manufactures

    Started by bob_m, 1 Day Ago
    • Replies: 9
    • Views: 285
    1 Day Ago Go to last post

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