Reviews

Best Cycling Kits of 2016

November 7, 2016 by Emma Lujan

The wonderful world of cycling allows riders to challenge themselves, make friends and explore, furthermore cycling acts as an outlet for freedom of expression. The latter can be attacking on a climb, winning a sprint or the simple act of showing up looking damn fine in some sweet cycling kit. 2016 saw some of the most unique kits released from cycling companies worldwide. From flashy bright designs, to funny logos and everything in between, there was something everyone wanted to buy to suit their riding style as well as their personality out on the road. Here are a few of the best cycling kits of 2016.

A Few of The Best Cycling Kits of 2016

MAAP

MAAP was one of the biggest Instagram sensations of the year and produced some of the best cycling kits of 2016. MAAP is keen on the geometric shapes and thick blocks of colors. MAAP is also the title sponsor of the Continental team State of Matter MAAP. MAAP Tilt Jersey

La Passione

La Passione is an Italian company that does simple, yet sleek cycling kit designs. Their stuff is top-end quality, affordable and minimalist. Summer Square Ciclamino Jersey

Team Dream

This California based cycling kit company has a super cool west coast style in the form of funny logos and playful colors that many other companies have since adopted. Team Dream has some of the best cycling kits of 2016 because of their chubby bobcat logo sneaking its way onto all the clothing as well as their large line of on point accessories like socks, vests and hats. Team Dream Purple Compression Bib

Rapha

A best cycling kits of 2016 list would simply not be complete without the addition of something from Rapha. Rapha is known for its high quality, tight race-ready designs, comfortable clothing and how freaking cool it looks. Rapha is very popular on social media making most riders jealous with its beautiful photography of people riding in amazing locations. Rapha is also one of the main sponsors for the UCI pro team Canyon/SRAM. Canyon/SRAM Core Jersey

Attaquer

Attaquer’s style is a blend of out-there and attention-drawing, yet doing so in a good-looking way. Their kits are some of the best of 2016 because they will compliment the rider looking to wear something different from the norm and to look fantastic while doing it. Attaquer utilizes a lot of camo and bright colors, and has a really kick-ass logo of a skull with its tongue sticking out while wearing a bike helmet. Attaquer Core Brush Blue Jersey

The look good, feel good principle not only applies in the work place, but also onto the bike. With some of the best cycling kits of 2016, you will not only let your own personality shine through, but you will look pretty killer winning the Saturday bunch sprint, or simply sipping coffee afterwards in some of these bright, colorful and uniquely designed kits.

Best Bicycle Maintenance Books Review

October 28, 2016 by Lee Agur

When you are looking for the best bicycle maintenance books, you need something that speaks your language. If you are a beginner you are looking for something that does not have all the technical jargon that you will not be able to follow. We review the best bike repair books available on the market.

Bike Repair Books Review

Zinn & The Art of Road Bike Maintenance

This book along with Zinn & The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance are the best bicycle maintenance books. They are comprehensive enough for the advanced home mechanic, but written in a way that is beginner friendly.

As the title suggests this does not cover mountain bikes nor hybrids, so if you have one make sure to get that version listed below.

Zinn & The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance

This mountain bike repair book is a must have. It has everything you will need in it, from bike set-up to drivetrains.

It is well written and very thorough. The Zinn collection has plenty of pictures to describe each step of the process in enough detail so you won’t be left guessing what that step was to fix your bike.

The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair: For Road & Mountain Bikes

The benefit to this repair book over the Zinn collection is that it is an all in one repair book that covers road bikes as well as mountain bikes.

This book speaks very well to the beginner mechanic and has very detailed explanations in their step by step guides. This book has been revised 6 separate times to constantly update the information to keep it current and relevant.

With nearly 500 pictures and drawings you won’t be baffled.

PARK TOOL Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair

As with the other repair books, this one is also comprehensive with great pictures. One of the downsides to this book is that it is the most expensive.

This repair book is not as geared to the beginner mechanic and can be quite a dry read. It does not make the information any less valuable, it just happens to make it a little more difficult to digest.

Bike Repair and Maintenance For Dummies

This bicycle repair book is definitely geared towards the beginner mechanic. If you are looking for a laugh while learning to repair your bike then this could be the book for you. On the other hand, the tone is so humorous that it may irritate you.

Additionally, it is not a complete guide to fixing all the problems on a bike, it is more of a summary of things you should do.

This book assumes this is the first time you have touched a bike, so it is definitely not a book for more experienced mechanics.

Bicycle Maintenance Books Summary

No matter how many new technologies come out and upgrades there are, the main parts of the bike remain the same. There are constant additions to new editions, but the core of the books stay the same.

If you are looking for less expensive options than the books provided, you can always check youtube. The only problem is you never know if you are going to get good quality advice, and it can take time to find the best video for your purposes.

What’s With These Laced Cycling Shoes?!

October 23, 2016 by Emma Lujan

Have you ever had the urge to wear your cycling kit to work and avoid all the changing in and out of cycling clothes to work attire? With some laced cycling shoes you still won’t be able to, with your cleats click-clacking underneath you, but you will look like you belong at the office. Laced cycling shoes are the newest-retro fashion statement at the moment, and there are plenty of laced cycling shoes available on the market today.

The Laces

Similar to running shoes, laced cycling shoes have 6-7 eyelets and require you to tie a bow and double-knot it before heading out the door. These shoes offer an old-school European look while providing you with some stiff, lightweight performance footwear. And best of all, they look like a super cool pair of shoes so they can complement any street attire and even impose as work shoes.

The Laced Cycling Shoes

Laced cycling shoes are easy to micro-adjust, with 7 different pressure points, compared to the typical three straps most cycling shoes come with. They are durable in the elements and very lightweight with their only drawback being you cannot tighten them while you ride. There are several companies making these awesome shoes and thus many different colors and designs to choose from.

Giro Empire

Giro has several different lines of the Empire including their SLX with full carbon sole and lightweight leather upper, their full reflective model, a women’s specific model, as well as their mountain bike laced shoe. Giro Empires come in a variety of colors, as well as laces so you can fully customize your shoes to match your personality.

Specialized S-Works Sub6

These shoes are incredibly lightweight, aerodynamic and come in a stealth matte black color scheme.

Vittoria 1976 Classic Series

This Italian company no doubt has recreated a laced cycling shoe to go with their trendy cycling clothing line. The 1976 Classics come in several different color options as well as fabric choices ranging from suede, leather and synthetic.

A Stylish Pair of Cycling Shoes

While you may never feel like running off your bike, at least with these shoes you will look as if you can. Laced cycling shoes are a fantastic way to gain a competitive edge and to look pretty flashy while doing it!

Best Cycling Socks of 2016

October 6, 2016 by Lee Agur

We review some of the best cycling socks available on the market. We compare summer, winter and fun cycling socks.

Best Summer Cycling Socks

Summer cycling socks are meant for 5 degrees celsius/41 degrees fareinheit or warmer.

Thirty48 Cycling Socks

These are the best cycling socks on the market, they are great for everyone. These socks wick the moisture away from the foot keeping you cool and dry and reducing the chances of hot foot. The fabric is made of a germ killing poly blend. These cycling socks are even designed differently for each foot giving them support where necessary and better airflow.

Thirty48 cycling socks are perfect for everyday cycling as they are designed to last. If you plan to do a race and want the best race sock on the market, then you should look at something a little bit thinner like the next sock we review.

Price: $10

Castelli Rosso Corsa

These socks are expensive for a reason, it is an amazing sock it fits so snug and well that you can’t tell where your foot ends and the sock begins. They will feel dry unless you are in a rainstorm, and they are made of Meryl Skinlife antibacterial fibers.

Save these socks for special occasions as they are top of the line. They work well in extreme temperatures and come in 6cm, 9cm and 13cm ankle heights.

Price: $10 – $17

Best Winter Cycling Socks

Winter socks are more about warmth than performance, but picking the right ones is an art just as much as a science. The two winter socks reviewed below are good up to -5 degress celsius/23 degrees fahrenheit. If you want to bike in colder weather make sure to put toe covers on and dress appropriately.

DeFeet Woolie Boolie

These breathable, high-quality, mid-weight merino wool cycling socks provide warmth and comfort when cycling in cold conditions. This multi-purpose mid weight merino wool sock has padding for warmth but does not bring the bulkiness generally attributed to something so warm.

These socks are durable and dry very quickly.

Price: $10 – $16

Pearl Izumi Ride Elite Termal Wool Socks

An ultra warm winter sock predominately made from merino wool with a flat toe seem for comfort. Extra cushioning under the foot and great arch compression.

Light fleece lined interior for added warmth.

Price: $13 – $20

Fun Cycling Socks

Fun socks can be an expression of who you are, or just put on to make you smile.

SockGuy Beer Socks

Looking to draw a comment from someone or you just enjoy beer?

They are not cheap novelty socks, they are designed by the SockGuys who are known for their quality. This is still a nice lightweight breathable cycling sock.

Price: $6 – $10

DeFeet Joy Rides Socks

DeFeet has a great assortment of fun cycling socks.

Price: $6 – $12

Other Fun Cycling Socks

Share the Road Cycling Socks

Smiley Socks

Hipster Cycling Socks

A Review Of The Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount

October 5, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

You go pretty much everywhere with your phone be it the grocery store, work, or on your ride. There are a lot of cycling apps out there that you can use during a ride. Strava anyone? How about a map when you’re exploring new roads or trails? So why not make use of your phone during a ride? Digging your phone out of your pocket can be cumbersome not to mention dangerous at times. This on top of your phone having the capability to operate as a cycling computer giving you real-time data, and more than just your speed and time ridden, are reason enough to have a handlebar phone mount.

Having the Need to See Who’s Calling/Texting/Emailing…

Additionally, you probably get the text from the significant other about when you’ll be home or from your friends about going out later. How about the unexpected call that could be work that can’t wait, or parents who can wait. Knowing right away whether it’s something you need need to pull over and take care of or if you can keep riding and get to it later is super convenient and saves you from having to reach back frantically and pull your phone out of your pocket. Having it right there in front of you solves these problems.

The Need of a Handlebar Phone Mount That Will Reliably Keep Your Phone Safe

With a handlebar phone mount however, your phone is out in the elements and in an exposed spot to fall and break be it on bumpy roads or trails or in the event of a crash. Having your phone securely mounted with a reliable piece of equipment is extremely important. After all, smart phones aren’t exactly cheap. Here we review the Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount and see if it’s up for this rather large job.

What is The Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount?

This handlebar phone mount is a two part system to mount your phone. The first is the mount of which ours was the Mount Case Bike Forward Mount. They have a number of different types of mounts depending upon your setup and desire. This mount is made from aluminum and is quite sturdy. The second part is the case that your phone is in. This isn’t similar to your standard, durable smartphone case, but rather is a durable smartphone case, just with an elevated section of material on the back of which the mount attaches to.

How the Mount Attaches to the Bars

The mount first attaches to your handlebars with an aluminum backing that is bolted on with two small bolts with allen heads; much like clip-on aerobars if you are familiar with them. The mount comes with multiple rubber strips preformed to go between your handlebars of any diameter, and the mount to prevent slipage as well as to ensure that it’s tight on the bars. Two more small bolts then attach the piece that contains the attachment points for the phone as well as a camera mount beneath. The four bolts do seem a bit small and like they would be a pain to install but in-fact it was simple and straightforward.

How Your Phone Attaches to the Mount

The phone itself is not actually attached to the mount but rather is in a case designed specifically for it. Tigra Sport makes mount cases for practically every smartphone. (I’m a bike expert not a phone expert but clicking around their website it seemed like they had every type of phone covered.) Our mount case was for the iPhone 6 and it fit snug, like any phone case would. It is also quite sleek and if you can deal with the thicker material in the center, on the back in your day-to-day life, it can be an everyday phone case.

This mount case then rotates and clicks in to the mount itself, much like a Garmin mount or any other computer mount, except this one is a bit bigger and a bit more secure. To remove the phone from the mount, you can’t just rotate it. You have to press down on a little tab and then rotate it. This seems like the ticket to keeping the phone mounted no matter what.

The Security

This handlebar phone mount is quite secure on the bars. There is virtually no play or movement in the mount itself and only a little bit in the phone case to mount connection but not enough that it would go anywhere. (Upon first testing this product I didn’t want to risk doing much of a ride and breaking my phone if the mount were to fail so was quite hesitant but once I saw how secure the phone actually was I knew I didn’t have to worry.) If you were to apply abrupt, direct force to the phone, say in a crash, the system would fail at the point where the phone case clips into the mount itself. For this to happen, it would have to be in a crash as simply riding down a crazy rough road or rocky trail would not apply enough direct force to the phone. For the phone to come out of the case it’s in; it simply won’t happen because of the weight of the phone and how tightly the case is on it.

The Functionality

The Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount is quite simple but also functional for what you want to do with it. The mount attaches to your handlebars just to the left of the stem which is the only option if you want the mount out ahead of your bars, otherwise you can pace it on the other side to have the phone just above your stem. Either position puts the phone in the best place to use yet still be out of the way. You can angle the mount so that phone faces more up to you or so it lies flat and is more aerodynamic. With its sleek turn and lock attachment system, it can also rotate so the phone is horizontal to you. This is a great option if you’re riding the trainer or rollers in the winter and want to watch a movie.

For anything to be functional on a bike, it must stand up in all weather. The mount will easily but your phone on the other hand… The case comes with a cover that snaps over the front of the phone which wouldn’t be 100% waterproof, say dropping it in a lake, but if you were to get caught in the rain, the cover would keep your phone dry. They have small removable covers for the power cord and earphone jack that simply rotate out and stay attached so you don’t loose them. The one big drawback with the cover is that it makes it very difficult to use your phone as it doesn’t provide good contact with the screen to be able to swipe, type, anything really. (note: I do have a glass screen protector on my phone so both of them may be the reason why it doesn’t work.) You can see fine through the screen protector which seemed like it would be an issue before it was on the phone.

The Take Away

This is a pretty sweet handlebar phone mount. Simply, it keeps your phone secure on your bars, priority number one, and has the functionality to be able to be positioned almost any way you like. Additionally, having the option to attach a camera, say a GoPro, to the bottom of the mount is pretty sleek. The biggest drawback is the screen protector being too thick or made of poorly conducting plastic for you to be able to utilize the screen. You don’t have to ride with it on however and can just leave it in your pocket just in case the rain comes.

Best Bike Chain Lube For All Bikes

October 5, 2016 by Lee Agur

So you are looking for the best bike chain lube on the market? Well, we take a look at the various brands. First off, you have to decide what kind of lube you want, wet or dry.

How To Pick the Best Bike Chain Lube

Lube is to prevent your gears from getting dry and creating friction, keep the dirt out and also keep everything from rusting. There are two kinds of lube, wet and dry.

Wet Bike Chain Lube

Generally you use wet lube in wet conditions, the consistency of the lube is thick and slippery so that it won’t wash away in the rain or when biking through puddles.

Dry Bike Chain Lube

Dry lube is used in dry weather as it is not as thick as wet lube and does not collect as much dirt. The lube goes on wet, but dries quickly leaving a wax like synthetic film to protect your chain. The downside to dry lube is it does not last as long and has to be re-applied more frequently.

Applying Bike Lube

Note that you do have to apply all lubes to dry and degreased chains. Make sure you avoid all brakes and rotors when applying lube. Aim to put one drop per link and take off any excess lube with a rag.

What Happens If I Don’t Lube My Chain?

If you do not lube your chain it will pick up dirt and grimme and get stuck in the links making it less efficient to cycle. The chain links will dry up and corrode making shifting and biking more difficult.

The Best Bike Chain Lubes Review

Finish Line Dry Lube

Finish line dry lube is one of the industry leaders, it includes teflon which decreases friction so you use less energy to turn the pedals.

Make sure to use this lube in dry conditions and give it enough time to dry off.

This comes in 2, 4 and 8 ounce squeeze bottles, an 8 ounce aerosol spray can, a 32 ounce jug and a 1 gallon jug.

Finish Line Wet Lube

This is the wet version of the finish line products and will protect your chain in the wettest conditions as it totally repels water. This lube will get in to every little nook and cranny and keep mud and dirt out.

Again, the teflon makes nice and efficient pedaling and is the most popular brand in the world.

This comes in 2, 4 and 8 ounce squeeze bottles, an 8 ounce aerosol spray can, a 32 ounce jug and a 1 gallon jug.

Rock N Roll Gold Lube

Coined the king of lube, albeit self proclaimed, is a great all purpose road and mountain biking wet lube. This lube simultaneously cleans and lubes, it will dissolve any dirt and make the chain look like new. This lube is not a degreaser or a cleaner, but it does help clean the chain.

Comes in 4 and 16 ounce bottles.

Tri-Flow Bike Chain Lube

Tri-Flow is formulated to clean, soften and remove dirt contaminants it has a light viscosity to ensure it penetrates deep in to all of those hard to reach moving parts. Tri-Flow also uses teflon and works well in all temperatures.

5 Of The Best Cyclocross Cantilever Brakes

September 21, 2016 by Corey Davis

Cross season is finally here (#crossishere) and everyone has been busy for months training and thinking of new ways to get a leg up on their competition. Well at least the pros have. But for the rest of us trying to get ready now, the bike is an easy place to make a couple changes and see big rewards. Brakes are a big part of your equipment choices for road and mountain biking, and even more so for cyclocross. Brakes slow you down so how can they make you faster. Well the later you can brake going into a corner, the more time you can spend at a higher speed. Cyclocross cantilever brakes are slowly fading away with the new disk brake revolution, but cyclocross cantilever brakes still serve a purpose. Some of the top euro-pros refuse to ride anything else and the one big benefit for everyone else is that you don’t need an entirely different wheelset. Here are a few that are considered the best and why.

Avid Shorty Ultimate Front and Rear

These cyclocross cantilever brakes are well known and have been tested to the extreme for years. Avid is well known in the brakes department and have been supplying quality brakes for years. These brakes specifically are lightweight, claiming to be just 115 grams for the front and rear. One nice thing about these cyclocross cantilever brakes is they use regular road cartridge pads, opposed to V-brake pads. The pad height is easily adjustable and offers ample room for mud clearance.

TRP RevoX Carbon

TRP changed the game with the TRP RevoX Carbon cantilever cyclocross brakes. These brakes weigh 118 grams per set and deliver profound stopping power. They have dual spring tension adjusters and integrated barrel adjusters for easily changing the clearance and alignment on the spot. You can also adjust the angle of the pads for better stopping power for your specific wheel and can help to eliminate brake chatter. These are a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for and brakes are not the place to go cheap!

Tektro CR710 Cyclocross Cantilever Brakes

These Tektro brakes are a great deal for someone looking to test the waters in cyclocross. Tektro’s cantilever cyclocross brakes are a bit heavier weighing 144 grams per set. This brake set works best with Shimano 7900 series and above. They do have a “barrel adjuster for cable/pad clearance adjustments on the go” which is a nice ability to have. These brakes are aluminum and strong enough to handle any abuse you put them through!

Shimano BR-CX70 Brakes

Shimano always makes quality products and these brakes work exceptionally well when paired with Shimano shifters. These brakes have a more open design for greater mud clearance and a lower profile to make run-ups more comfortable when the bike’s on your shoulder. These cyclocross cantilever brakes have “road brake cartridge style brake pad holder for compatibility with pads for carbon wheels”. These brakes are easy to use and will make a great addition on your cyclocross bike.

FSA SL-K CX Brake Set

The FSA SL-K line is known for being some of the best components available and the cyclocross brakes hold true to this. These brakes weigh only 113 grams per caliper and conveniently make changing pads easy. “The SL-K Cross brake has a stiff but light design, with easy to use cable adjusters integrated into the caliper. Open design clears mud easily, while maintaining a positive lever feel.” These brakes are for serious business and will not hold anyone back.

Road Tire Review: Vittoria Open Corsa G+ 25mm

September 5, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

*You either love or hate the natural sidewalls on the Corsa.*

Vittoria is a brand long synonymous with racing. Founded in 1953, they have been the rubber of choice for many world champions and have a pedigree few can argue with. Vittoria is expanding their offering this year getting into both carbon and aluminum wheels and introducing rubber into the lineup with a Graphene additive claiming to increase traction, decrease rolling resistance, and improve durability.

Vittoria Open Corsa G+ Initial Impressions

Out of the box, the new Vittoria Corsa’s feel similar to the previous generation of their tires. What is different is the tread. It is more linear than the familiar ‘arrow sipened’ versions which was the benchmark previously. The general feel of the tires is very supple, which is a feature that supports the theory that it is better to have a lower PSI, fatter tire gripping the ground, then the previous idea that narrow and hard is faster.

A departure from the traditional "arrowed" tread in years past. — *A departure from the traditional “arrowed” tread in years past.*

I mounted them on a set of H Plus Son rims, which offer a wider inner rim width(23mm inner). This tends to offer more tire performance compared to the traditional 17mm rims offered in the past. The wider rim allows the tire to have a more ‘flat’ profile when leading into the brake track, instead of a ‘balloon’ shape.

Riding the Vittoria Open Corsa G+

The tan sidewalls are a striking feature that leads to a ‘love it or hate it’ attitude with most people. Personally, I think it ads some class to otherwise muted bikes, and provides a distinctive look. Riding the Open Corsa is fantastic. They provide almost tubular-like quality, and with the help of the 25c width, offers a heavenly ride. The grip is fantastic. Whether it is from the Graphine compound or the wider 25c width, I was never in a spot of concern.

*A more modern approach to Vittorias labelling.*

The Graphine feature Vittoria is exclusively using claims to lessen rolling resistance unlike any other tire on the market which of course leads to free speed. This is difficult to feel during real riding situations, but testing from independent testers confirm Vittoiras claim.

With over 1500km on the Corsa, it has had normal signs of wear and tear. Keep in mind this is not an all weather training tire but rather a speed-at-all-cost tire for racing. Corsa of course means “Race” in Italian. Because of this, durability is expected to suffer slightly. Over my time on these tires I experienced a single half inch cut on the tire, but continued to ride on them. The cut has remained the same size, and it didn’t result in a flat. Overall, I feel that their durability and wear are on par, or better than most other tires on the market in this range, and I wouldn’t hesitate to BUY a set for myself.

The Open Corsas looks, proven speed, durability, and weight, point them to being one of the best tires available on the market that can improve your ride.

Levis Commuter Jeans-Why You Should Own A Pair

September 3, 2016 by Corey Davis

You may or may not have heard about the new Levis Commuter Jeans series, but here is why you need a pair now! The Levis Commuter jeans series was started with the urban commuter in mind. Levis took everything into account when designing this new line for men and women. Levis created a pair of jeans with the fit, material, and durability in mind for the urban commuter. The Levis Commuter jeans feature advanced fabric to keep them dry and has added strength for durability. The fabric, while strong, is also designed to stretch for extra comfort while riding to work. The Levis Commuter Jeans are performance built for cyclist, meaning they are designed to fit the typical build of a cyclist’s body.

Regular Pants Just Aren’t as Good

Regular pants are not quite as functional for the everyday cyclist commuting to work. Regular pants tend to “ride” up while cycling, and the Levis Commuter jeans are supposed to decrease this from happening with their superior design for cycling. Regular jeans are also going to stay wet much longer than the Levis commuter jeans series, and no one wants to walk around work with wet pants. Also, if you happen to crash on the way to work, regular pants will tear while the Levis stand a much better chance of surviving the accident. Regular pants certainly do not contain 3M reflectivity properties, which helps to increase visibility like some of the Levis Commuter jeans.

The Men’s Jeans!

For the men, the Levi Commuter jeans come in two different cuts, the 511 slim fit and the 541 athletic fit. The 511 slim fits come in a variety of different colors such as dark moss, mourning dove, and grey denim. The 541 athletic fits come in a few different colors as well like black, grey and indigo denim. Levi says the 511 slim fits sizing has a “higher back rise for coverage while riding”, “slim through hip and thigh” and “slim legs”. The Levi 541 athletic fit has “higher back rise for coverage while riding”, “more room in seat and thigh” and a “slightly tapered leg”.

The Women’s Jeans!

For the women, the women’s Levi Commuter jeans series is called the High Rise Skinny Jeans. They are offered in black and morning dove, to provide a professional and stylish look. They are water and dirt repellent and have the Reflective 3M Scotchlite tape on the cuff. They also have deeper pockets, and the fit is skinny through the hip and thigh. They also have skinny legs, which help prevent them from getting caught in the crank and chain.

5 Cheap Mountain Bikes Of Quality

August 28, 2016 by Corey Davis

Why would someone spend several hundred dollars on a cheap mountain bike versus less than $200 from their local department store? Well the answer is simple to bike enthusiasts, but maybe not as clear for the average consumer shopping for cheap mountain bikes. Hopefully the reasoning below will persuade you to buy a bike from your local bike shop and not the big chain department store. After you’re convinced to purchase a quality mountain bike, several of the top 5 cheap mountain bikes will be listed below as a guide to aide in your decision making process.

You Get What You Pay For

There are countless horror stories of accidents that have happened because someone was riding a cheap department store mountain bike. These accidents and consistent frustrations are caused by two main reasons. First, a cheap department store bike is going to use the cheapest possible aluminum and metal. Under stress, this super cheap metal causes the products to bend and break after very little use. Once these parts begin to break or not function properly, you will be forced to take the bike to your local bike shop and pay for repairs. These repairs will NOT be cheap if you purchased the bike from a department store and didn’t purchase the bike from them. Also, most local bicycle shops offer free tune-ups and repairs for a quite a long time if a bike is purchased from them. A great perk when tune-ups and repairs typically range from $75-$150!

The second significant reason a cheap mountain bike from a department store is a terrible idea, are the “mechanics” that build these cheap mountain bikes. The word mechanic is used very loosely in this sense considering most of these people have not been properly trained or went to school for bicycle maintenance. The department store employees are typically paid by the amount of bikes built, so you can imagine how well they are put together. At your local bike shop there is a far greater chance you will get an employee that truly cares and is not concerned with building the most number of bikes possible in a given amount of time.

Top 5 Cheap Mountain Bikes

Bulls Cobra Disk 29

This made our Top 5 Cheap Mountain Bikes list because it is a lightweight aluminum 29er, that is stiff, lightweight, and capable of anything. This bike is outfitted with a combination of Shimano XT and Deore. It is 10-speed, and has a 100mm front fork. This mountain bike’s geometry is best suited for cross-country, marathon riding because it is a hard tail making it extremely efficient climbing and nimble enough to handle technical descents.

Price: $899

Polygon Bikes Siskiu29 6

This is an aluminum 29er cross-country mountain bike and is “specially designed to roll over obstacles with greater ease and float up over obstructions without much effort to the rider”. The frames cables are internally routed, not a common addition to find with a lower priced mountain bike. This bike has Shimano Deore 20 Speed, a common group of components on this level of a mountain bike. It has an 11-36 cassette, meaning it can make climbing hills easy and still have an enough to push you on the flats. This is a great mountain bike for a rider looking to get into mountain biking and potentially do a couple local races to test the waters.

Price: $850-$900

GT Verb Comp

This 27.5 full suspension mountain bike is built for playing and having fun with your buddies. This bike has 120mm of front suspension and an adjustable rebound rear air shock. This bike is decked out with Deore components, disk brakes, and wide handlebars for more technical descending.

Price: $1,080-ish depending upon build.

Giant Talon 29er

This is one of the most common cheap mountain bikes purchased, it is a hardtail 29er has a 3×9 drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disk brakes. The 100mm Suntour front fork has a lockout option and preload adjuster. This bike is equipped with Maxxis tires and a KMC chain. This bike is ideal for the rider looking to ride more gentle trails and just begin to explore the world of mountain biking.

Price: $850

Norco Bigfoot 6.3 Rigid

How could we leave off a more affordable fat bike? Fat bikes are growing very popular, especially in places that have harsh winters. This rigid fat bike is a great starter bike. It is an aluminum frame and 1×10 Deore drivetrain. It has mechanical disk brakes and alloy 80mm rims, greater for people just beginning to experiment with fat mountain biking.

Price: $899