There are multiple disciplines that fall underneath the mountain biking umbrella. Most broadly we’re talking about cross-country, all-mountain/enduro, and downhill mountain biking. If you are just beginning to mountain bike and are looking to buy your very first fat tire friend, then you will not want to consider either downhill or enduro/all-mountain bikes because those disciplines require a ton of technical skill and a level of well-earned confidence on the bike that a novice simply won’t have. 

That’s not to say that you can’t be looking into those types of bikes once you improve your mountain biking skillset, but for the moment, you’ll be much more likely to enjoy getting your feet wet on XC or cross-country mountain bikes that can handle everything from hardpack fire roads to double track and then even single track once you start to get into the swing of things. 

Choosing a Mountain Bike - XC hardtail or full suspension?

When you are looking for your first mountain bike, you will notice the XC and light trail bikes can come as a hardtail, which means that the fork has a level of suspension usually between 100 and 120 mm, while a full suspension will have shocks both for the fork and the rear wheel. For real beginners, most people would recommend a hardtail. The simplicity of the design and the probable lighter weight you’ll find with a hardtail trumps any of the suspension advantages you’ll find with a full sus. 

We generally agree with that advice. However, it is important to keep in mind that when you are on more technical trails, having the full suspension absorbing those blows that would likely throw a hardtail off balance might make up for the greater weight and more fiddly setup a full suspension requires. Deciding between one or the other will come down to your level of confidence on the bike, and even more likely, the types of trails you will most likely be riding. If you would struggle getting a gravel bike down the types of trails that you will have to be practicing on, then you may want to consider opting for the full suspension for the extra security the hard-hit dampening shocks front and rear can offer. 

Be sure to check out our blog about setting your suspension sag before you head out with your brand new mountain bike. 

How to choose the right mountain bike frame size?

You’ll find most mountain bike manufacturers do not make as many frame sizes as road or gravel bikes. Three or at most four sizes – S, M, and L and then perhaps an XS or XL will most likely be as many different sizes as you’ll be able to find. It’s a far cry from road bikes where a brand like Pinarello makes 11 sizes even in their most expensive carbon frames. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find the right size for you. In fact, this limited choice might even make the decision much simpler.

Most if not all mountain bike manufacturers will have a size chart on their size, which indicates the size you should buy according to your own height. Inevitably, many of you will find that you are in between sizes, or at least two sizes look like they could work equally well. What to choose then? When trying to find the right fit for your mountain bike, you will want to be most keenly aware of the effective top tube length and the reach. Effective top tube length is the distance measured from the head tube to where you sit on the saddle. The reach is slightly different since it is the measurement from the center of the head tube to a vertical line that runs through the center of the bottom bracket. 

A longer effective top tube length will indicate that the wheelbase is longer, which will result in a more stable ride. And as a beginner, having a stable ride will help you negotiate tougher sections since you’ll be able to plow through them without the handling becoming fidgety. But it’s important not to go too far in that direction, especially if you have a shorter torso and/or arm length, since a longer wheelbase can also make the bike feel sluggish and difficult to maneuver. 

When in doubt, when looking for this type of XC or light trail bike, we usually advise riders to get the smallest frame possible that will still allow them to feel planted and secure while riding in slightly more challenging conditions. A smaller frame will typically be lighter and feel more easily manipulated underneath the rider, which will help you feel in more control.  

As with any type of bike, many other measurements impact how the bike will ride and feel. Head tube angle can indicate how the front handling will feel, with slacker angles suggesting the bike will be more stable at high speeds but if it’s too slack, it might feel a bit floppy on the climbs. Similarly, the chainstay length can indicate whether the ride will feel snappy (when short) or stable (when the stays are longer). 

But frankly, if this is your first mountain bike, you will need to do a fair bit of riding before you can decide for certain which type of fit you prefer. We’d definitely advise you to make certain first and foremost that you feel comfortable and in control of your bike. Tweaking touch points and even geometry preferences will come once you build your skillset.

What wheel size should you choose? 

Well, that’s another tricky one. Mountain bikes used to all come with 26-inch wheels. Then in the early 2000s, 29-inch wheels started to be adopted because of the amazing monster truck rollover ability they offered. Somewhere around the 2010s 27.5-inch wheels became popular as the happy medium between the smaller 26-inch and the sometimes massive 29-inch. 

Smaller riders in particular appreciated having the 27.5 option since 29-inch wheels can make handling feel quite heavy, especially the slacker the geometry goes. And even expert mountain bikers who like to have a much quicker, flickable ride will often opt for 27.5-inch wheels. For the purposes of this article, we would suggest that if you are a smaller rider just starting out, then you should consider 27.5-inch wheels. They will most likely be lighter than 29-inch, and will be much easier to maneuver on more technical trails.

That being said, if you are more concerned about being able to roll through obstacles without having to dab your foot down or even get off and walk, then a mountain bike with 29-inch wheels will give you that feeling of stable security. A lot will depend too on the types of trails you will be using to learn your skills. If your home trails are tight and technical, then a bike with 27.5-inch wheels might be the way to go, even if you are a taller rider. But if you have lots of flowy, open trails that can get a bit gnarly in sections, then a 29er will be worth its weight in gold. 

Conclusion – choosing a good mountain bike

As with just about everything in the bike industry, there is no absolute answer to what is the best option for you. It all depends on so many personal variables, that we can only give you a few helpful hints to guide you in the exciting process of buying your first mountain bike. 

Whether you are coming from riding the road or are cycling curious and want to explore your local woods, just remember you should always focus on simply having fun, and the skills will come the more you ride.