Is mountain biking for you?

Prefer a rough bike ride to a bike ride through the city? On a road bike it is quite possible to be sporty on the road, but cycling on a mountain bike feels just a bit different. Read in this article whether mountain biking suits you and what you should pay attention to when purchasing a mountain bike.

What is the difference between mountain biking and road cycling?

Two of the most popular sport bike options are road bikes and mountain bikes. The big difference with a racing bike is that it’s about speed and making a lot of kilometers. Most of this type of bicycle have a light weight. You can make a nice trip on your racing bike in good weather or when the wind is blowing hard. There are fanatics who also jump on their bikes during a heavy rain shower.

If you prefer cycling in the rough nature, it is best to go mountain biking. Bicycles are specially developed for the obstacles and bumps you encounter outside. In the Netherlands, mainly the single tracks are chosen for cycling. These are routes especially for mountain bikers. Check out the video below to taste the atmosphere.

What should you pay attention to when you want to buy a mountain bike?

Do you want to buy a mountain bike after watching the video above? Choosing the right mountain bike is necessary for a nice ride. Read the 3 most important points below.

#1 Full suspension or hard tail?

The big difference between full-suspension and hard-tail mountain bikes is the price. The full-suspension are often more expensive. This is due to the accuracy of the design and the high level of comfort during the ride. Most Dutch people opt for the so-called hardtail mountain bike. With these bikes, the focus is mainly on speed rather than comfort.

#2 Choose the frame size

If you purchase a mountain bike that fits perfectly to the length of your body, you run the least chance of back and neck problems. Your body will have a hard time during the route due to the various blows you make during. Our advice is therefore to get good advice in the store and to make several test rides on various mountain bikes.

#3 Groupset choice

How much you ultimately pay for a suitable mountain bike depends, among other things, on the group set. Most are equipped with a Shimano or SRAM gear group, in combination with a derailleur chain. This groupset is ideal for beginners. However, the material is often of slightly lower quality. Your mountain bike will therefore last a little less long.

Our top 3 favorite mountain bikes of 2023

To make choosing from the wide range of mountain bikes a little easier, here are our favorite mountain bikes of 2023.

Cube Analog 2023

The Cube Analog 2023 is the ideal bike for the novice mountain biker. With this sturdy sporty bike you can dive into the rugged nature with pleasure. Various cables have been processed through the aluminum frame. This means you don’t have to worry about dirt getting into your important parts. The suspension has also been thought of. This Cube has the Rockshox Judy Silver that dampens the worst vibrations. The groupset consists of the SRAM SX Eagle, including 12 gears.

Bulls Copperhead 3 29 2022

With the hardtail Bulls Copperhead 3 29 2022 you have the perfect sporty mountain bike to take on your favorite single tracks. The bike has a Shimano Deore XT derailleur. This guarantees quality and accuracy. You can also switch between the 22 different gears. Tired of cushioning? This can be easily (temporarily) disabled with the lockout.