If you decide you want to get into mountain biking, one of the first things you need to know is what you should be looking for in your first mountain bike. Thankfully, this short guide will walk you through what to look out for.
1. Frame size
Picking the right frame size is going to be the most important aspect of buying your first mountain bike. Typically, frame sizes will come in small, medium or large, in addition to extra small and extra large (which can be more difficult to find) however you should keep in mind that depending on the brand, a small, medium or large may be different as this is not 100% standardized and can vary by brand.
With that being said, you can get a rough idea of what frame size is right for you based on your height.
Sizing Chart
Below you can look at a handy sizing reference chart for figuring out the right mountain bike frame size for you:
| Height of Rider | MTB Frame Size | ||||
| Feet | Centimetres | Frame Size | Frame Size (centimetres) | Frame Size (inches) | |
| Under 5’2” | Under 157 cm | X-Small (XS) | 33 cm to 37 cm | 13” to 14” | |
| 5’2” to 5’6” | 157 cm to 167 cm | Small (S) | 38 cm to 42 cm | 15” to 16” | |
| 5’6” to 5’10” | 167 cm to 178 cm | Medium (M) | 43 cm to 47 cm | 17” to 18” | |
| 5’10” to 6’2” | 178 cm to 188 cm | Large (L) | 48 cm to 52 cm | 19” to 20” | |
| 6’2”+ | 188 cm+ | X-Large (XL) | 53 cm to 57 cm | 21” to 22” | |
When looking at bikes, you will want to make sure that the reach on the bike suits you. Ensure that you can comfortably reach the handlebars from a seated position on the saddle, while also not feeling too cramped on the bike.
What if I am between sizes?
If you are between sizes for a particular mountain bike frame, it is best to err on the side of choosing the larger frame size. Just make sure you are able to reach the handlebars comfortably from the saddle, and that there is enough stand-over clearance, that is, make sure you have clearance over the top tube and saddle (in its lowest position) when you are straddling your bike with your feet on either side.
2. Choose a wheel size
Historically mountain bike wheel size has typically been 26 inches. However, in recent years there has been a trend towards larger sized wheels. Now, the most common choices of diameters for wheels are 27.5 inches and 29 inches.
27.5 inch wheel size
Each wheel size comes with its own pros and cons. The relatively smaller size of the 27.5 inch wheels give them the edge for maneuvering through tight corners, and generally provide riders with better control at picking their lines.
29 inch wheel size
The 29 inch wheels on the other hand make for a smoother ride as the larger wheel diameter rolls over obstacles more efficiently. This means that where you might make a tight turn to avoid rocks and roots on the 27..5” wheels, on the 29” wheels you might be more inclined to simply ride right over them like they aren’t even there.
And while the 27.5” wheels are more maneuverable, the 29” wheels are not bad in this respect either, and still allow a capable rider to maneuver their way through tight turns.
At the end of the day, what wheel size you choose will come down to your own preference, and either would be suitable for someone new to mountain biking.
3. Hardtail vs. Full suspension
Choosing between a hardtail (a mountain bike with no rear suspension) or a full suspension bike depends on rider preference and budget.
Having rear suspension means you will have a rear shock, coil, etc. to maintain, and makes the bike more complex (and expensive!) to maintain. You will be able to get a hardtail mountain bike with a nicer frame and better components versus a full suspension mountain bike of the same price.
Full suspension bikes come with a higher price for a reason. They can make your ride significantly smoother as the rear shock soaks up much of the impacts you would otherwise feel on a hardtail. They can increase confidence and allow riders to go faster, especially on rougher and more challenging terrain.
For more information to help you choose between a hardtail or full suspension mountain bike, check out Full Suspension vs Hardtail – Which Bike Type is Right for You?
4. Features to look for
When buying your first mountain bike, its understandable if you don’t know which features, besides those already discussed, are most important to watch for, so we will walk you through them below:
Brakes
Most mountain bikes you will look at now will have disc brakes, but one key thing to check is if the brakes are hydraulic or mechanical. Hydraulic brakes use fluid to push the braking pads against the rotor which stops the bike, whereas mechanical brakes use a cable to pull the caliper down and force the brake pads against the rotor.
Hydraulic brakes will be able to bring you to a stop quickly and are more precise. You will enjoy better braking if you decide to get hydraulic brakes on your new bike.
Seat post
The main thing to watch out for with the seat post is whether it is a dropper post or not. A dropper post allows you to adjust your saddle height while you ride, controlled by a knob on your handlebars similar to brakes or a gear shifter.
This is a great feature to have, especially if you’ll be riding up and down hills often. Going uphill, raise your saddle up to make pedalling easier, and when you descend, drop your saddle down low to help you keep a low centre of gravity and get the saddle out of the way.
5. Quality Suspension
Make sure to read up on the fork (the front suspension) and rear shock (if you decide to get a full suspension MTB) to see what other riders experiences are with them. It is easy to get into thinking that more travel means better suspension, but this isn’t always the case.
Especially as a beginner, you are going to want your suspension to be plush and responsive, and even a modest amount of travel, like 100 or 120 millimetres on your fork, should work well.
Usually, longer travel is used by more experienced riders wanting to do larger features and drops with high impacts. Long travel forks and shocks are usually better suited to experienced riders who really push the limits of their mountain bikes.
6. Keep other gear needs and maintenance in mind
When budgeting for your first mountain bike, make sure you keep in mind that you will also need things like a helmet, in addition to other protective gear you might want, like gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and MTB shoes, just to name a few.
And just like with a car, you are going to want to maintain your mountain bike. At minimum you will want to bring your bike to the bike shop for a tune up once or twice per year, in addition to any damage that needs repairs. If you go with a full suspension mountain bike, there will also be the added maintenance of the rear shock. These costs add up and you should consider them at the time you buy your first mountain bike.
Beginner mountain bike suggestions
If you want to see our favorite mountain bikes for beginner riders, take a look at Best Beginner Mountain Bikes of 2022.
Conclusion
Hopefully you will have found this guide helpful in simplifying the process of buying your first mountain bike, and in giving you some specific things you should be on the lookout for. See you out on the trails!
Got your bike and ready to start improving your MTB skills? Check out 8 Mountain Bike Tips for Beginners.