| When you go into a bike store to purchase a new | | | | If you're going to be riding on loose dirt or mud, you'll |
| bike, you'll find that there's no need to settle for | | | | want a widely-spaced, knobby tread pattern. This |
| everything that comes on the bike. It's called "fitting the | | | | allows the tire to shed mud. If you'll be on a |
| bike," and the bike shop guys will mix and match | | | | hard-packed, dry trail, you'll want a tire with a shallow |
| various components to give you the best ride possible, | | | | center tread. If you don't expect to ride off-road at all, |
| depending on your specifications. | | | | but still like those fat tires, get them without knobs, |
| The Saddle | | | | which will give you a smoother ride. |
| You'll be spending a great deal of time on that saddle, | | | | Brakes |
| so its important that it fits you well. As with any other | | | | There are three types of brakes - cantilever, direct pull, |
| bike component, you can get saddles for any budget, | | | | and the most expensive, disc. Cantilever brakes used |
| and for any need. You can get gel-filled saddles, | | | | to be the standard, but nowadays any bike that cost |
| saddles with cutouts, wide saddles and narrow ones. | | | | over $300 will have "direct pull" brakes. These offer |
| Women in particular need to get a saddle that fits, as | | | | better stopping power. Hydraulic disc brakes are the |
| their "sit bones" are spread wider apart than those of | | | | best brakes of all - as they aren't affected by the wet, |
| a man. | | | | but currently they are used only on those bikes used |
| Stems | | | | strictly for downhill. They way more than the other |
| It's important that the handlebars be set at the proper | | | | types and are much more expensive. |
| height, so that the rider does not have to stretch too | | | | Shifters |
| far forward. Handlebars are fastened onto the stem, | | | | There are two kinds of shifters - the twist shifters and |
| so its quite easy to substitute a longer - or shorter - | | | | trigger shifters. Some people complain that using the |
| stem, in order to ensure the correct fit. Saddles, tires | | | | twist shifter tires out their hands by the end of the ride. |
| and brakes will cost more depending on the type you | | | | Pedals - Clipped or Clipless |
| get, but the stem will be swapped out for free. | | | | Important for off-road bikers, as it prevents your feet |
| Tires | | | | from losing contact with the pedals during rough |
| Bike tires come in different widths. Very narrow, for | | | | stretches. It's easier to get your feet out of toe clips |
| rode cyclists, not quite so narrow, for a cross country | | | | than clipless pedals - which use cleats. |
| bike, and very fat, for the dedicated mountain biker. In | | | | Once you've got your bike fitted out to your |
| addition, the treads on these tires are very important. | | | | satisfaction, you'll be ready to hit the trails and have |
| You might want to switch out your tires depending on | | | | some fun! |
| the terrain over which you'll be riding. | | | | |