When it comes to mountain bikes, you get what you pay for much of the time. While investing in the best bike you can afford is a good idea, figuring out which top of the line downhill mountain bike really is a good buy can be harder. To decide on the right model, in most cases, it is best to look at the quality of the components, and the way in which the bike fits you and the way you ride.

At base, a mountain bike is a bicycle with a sturdy frame, wider tires with large treads, horizontal handlebars, and gearing. Off road, they offer enhanced traction and stability than a street bike’s narrow tires and lightweight frame can. But that’s not all they’re for, even though these bikes are called mountain bikes. They can also be ridden on trails with gravel or no surfacing, and cross country. City streets that have uneven or broken paving are also suitable for these bikes. Just look out for large rocks and roots. For any application where you’ll need toughness and stability, pick out a mountain bike. If you do most of your cycling on flat areas with smooth pavement, these bikes are probably heavier than you’re looking for.

Look for Good Quality Build

Top of the line mountain bikes will offer quality construction, as well as using good materials. While many manufacturers will try to sell you frames and components based solely on the materials that make them up, do not be fooled. Just as it is possible to make a good bike frame from steel or aluminum, it is possible to make a bad one from titanium. Whether you are buying a frame, some gears, or new wheels, quality of manufacture is more important, even though prestigious materials certainly cost a lot more. Instead of rim brakes like the ones on road bikes, look for bikes with good suspension and higher quality disc brakes.

Lightweight Frames Are In

There’s less for you to pull up steep slopes, with lighter frames. However, lightweight frames and wheels also mean that you sacrifice toughness, in some materials. A certain loss of stability is also unavoidable. That is why mountain bikes are usually heavier built than road bikes. The hottest and newest composites used to make trail bicycle frames are materials like Kevlar (the same material used for bullet-proof vests. These materials are also made use of for other parts of the bike, as they are extremely light-weight and very powerful. However bike frames made with carbon fiber and Kevlar are exceedingly difficult to fix when damaged.

Combining the light weight of carbon fiber with strength that may exceed that of the toughest steel alloy frames, titanium is the best and most costly material for bike frames. It’s also the most rustproof material for bicycle frames. As you would expect, all these benefits come with an astronomical price tag.

Decent Suspension is a Must-Have

Good suspension can reduce the “whippiness” you sometimes get with lighter materials like aluminum and titanium. Quality mountain bikes are available with front only or both front and rear suspension. Be sure to try it out to be sure that you have the right fit, and that the weight feels good, when you pick out your bike. If you decide you want to have a bike built elsewhere, such as an online order, make certain you know exactly what you are getting, in terms of materials, weight and frame size.

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