Mountain Bikes

There are lots of things to consider when buying a new mountain bike, and one of the key factors is finding the correct size.

Riding a bike that’s too small will leave you feeling cramped with your weight too far back, which can make the front of the bike feel light on climbs. On the flip side, an oversized bike is hard to control as you’ll be stretching and will struggle to move your weight around.

Finding the right size is easy. Simply click on the tape measure icon located on all mountain bike product pages and we’ll provide a size recommendation.

You can also find a guide to bike sizing here.

There are various types of mountain biking, from adrenaline-inducing downhills to less technical cross country. However, mountain bikes can go anywhere, and riders will often take advantage of a mountain bike’s comfort to use it for their commute or tow-path jaunts.

Each type of riding places different demands on a rider and a bike, so you need a bike that’s designed for that type of riding. Some of the key things to consider when deciding which mountain bike you need include:

• Frame – these are usually made from robust materials to handle any knocks. It’s important to find a frame that’s comfortable for you and your style of riding, and getting the right size frame is one of the most important factors when buying a new mountain bike. Find out more about mountain bike sizing here.
• Wheels and tyres – there are two common wheel sizes used on mountain bikes: 27.5-inch and 29-inch (some still use 26-inch wheels, but these are rare). A bigger wheel will give a smoother ride while a smaller wheel is more agile.
• Gears – mountain bikes usually have a wider range of gears. More premium set-ups often combine a wide range with just 1 gear at the front, making it easier to shift quickly through while focusing on trail riding.
• Suspension – Hardtail v full suspension v no suspension – it’s one of the biggest questions we encounter. If you’ll be tackling technical trails, a full suspension will provide the highest levels of performance. For other types of riding, a hardtail can be a good option.

That’s a quick overview of a few key considerations, but you can find an in-depth guide on how to choose a mountain bike here.

A mountain bike runs more smoothly if it’s clean, plus regular cleaning will extend the lifespan of components.

That’s why you should clean your bike regularly.

Make sure you use specialised products including a degreaser for the chain, cleaning spray suitable for frames, and brushes to get into any hard-to-reach corners. If your bike has disc brakes, these will also require a specific disc brake cleaning spray as other cleaning products will contaminate the brake pads. You can find all the cleaning products you need here.

For a more in-depth guide to bike cleaning, check out our step-by-step guide on how to clean a bike.

You may need to remove your mountain bike’s pedals at some point, whether it’s for maintenance or to replace them.

Most pedals need a 6mm or 8mm allen key, although some require a pedal spanner. Once you’ve located the right tool, try loosening the pedal. Be careful as, if the pedal wasn’t greased before fitting, it may be very tight.

The key thing to remember is both pedals have threads that rotate in different directions. The one on the drive side (with the gears on) has a traditional thread and you need to rotate left to loosen. For the left-sided pedal you need to rotate right.

Make sure you rotate the correct direction otherwise you could end up overtightening the pedal.

You can find all the tools you need including allen keys and pedal spanners here.

If your chain is dropping, jumping or simply not shifting smoothly, you need to adjust your mountain bike’s gears.

We have a full guide and video on adjusting mountain bike gears.

Alternatively, you can let our experts take care of it for you. You can learn more on our bike brake services.

Keeping your chain in tip-top condition is important, not just for performance, but for extending the durability of components.

To clean a chain, you’ll need a specialised degreaser. This will remove any oil and other dirt or muck.

Once you’ve sprayed this on the chain, use a brush to thoroughly scrub between all the links, removing any dirt or grime. Alternatively, you can also use a chain cleaning device to make the job even easier. After you’ve given it a thorough clean, rinse it down with water.

Next, it’s time to prepare the chain for riding. Dry it down using a cloth. Once dry, apply chain lube on the inside of the chain (the side that contacts the cassette and chainring). Finish by wiping off any excess lube as any dirt or grime will stick to this.

You can find all the cleaning products you need here.