>>1289957>>>/n/bbgIf you're new to mountain biking, consider buying used. You may change your mind in a few months about what kind of mountain bike you want, and that way you didn't put all your money into a new mtb that you changed your mind on. A great place to buy used mountain bikes is
www.pinkbike.com/buysellThere's a few basic categories of mountainb bikes to choose from:
Cross country: These come in hardtail (front suspension only) and full suspension models. They have less suspension than other types of mountain bikes (around 100-120 mm) and are designed for going fast on flat, mellow terrain, and for climbing efficiently.
Trail bikes: These are full suspension bikes with around 130-150mm suspension. They are often considered the best "all-around" option for recreational mountain bikers. If you have enough money for a full suspension mountain bike and don't really know what you want and are new to mtb, this is likely going to be your best option. They can handle rough terrain like rocks and roots better than a cross country bike, and go a bit faster downhill. They'll be a little slower than a cross country bike on the flats and climbs. They're versatile.
Enduro bikes, also known as all mountain bikes: Slacker geometry, 150-180mm suspension. These bikes are not true downhill bikes, but they are built with an emphasis on downhill performance. They can be ridden fast and aggressive on technical terrain and steep, rocky descents. They are heavy and inefficient on climbs and long flat mellow stretches, but they can still handle the flats and climbs find, they'll just be a bit slower than cross country and trail bikes. If you like riding aggressively and going hard on gnarly downhills, but still want the ability to ride flats and uphills, this might be what you want.
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