Bender said a rider also should determine the amount of commitment they want to make to the sport. If there is little commitment, a person can waste a lot of money on a bicycle they may hardly use. Because of the difference in customer interest, most mountain bike producers have a full line of bicycles ranging in quality and price. There is a lot of individuality in mountain biking. Each company makes things on different levels.
Mountain bikes intended for off-road biking are typically lighter and have better amenities.
For example, the tires on higher-end bicycles have knobby tires to provide better traction. Many of these bikes have front suspension, but climbing is easier because of their lightweight construction. Downhill bikes have front and back full suspension, much like a motorcycle without an engine, Babcock said. The shock absorbers are attached to the fork in the front and to the frame in the rear. This feature allows the wheels to absorb the jolt of the terrain, as opposed to the entire frame having to absorb the jolt.