Before you buy: Eric Taylor from Titus says that when buying a bike, first identify the type of riding you want to do so you don't end up buying too much or not enough bike. Nowadays bikes can be very niche-built, such as for downhill racing or cross-country racing-and everything in between. Taylor suggests that you work directly with a dealer in your area to avoid some of the common mistakes of first-time buyers. Like what? Buying a bike that's too big or too small, or ending up with bad fitment in the "cockpit" area (a.k.a. you are stretched out too far on the bike). When shopping, you'll come across terms like "hardtail" and "full suspension." Daina Carmichael at Rocky Mountain Bicycles explains that a hardtail is a traditional bike, with a front suspension (suspension fork) but no rear suspension. Fully suspended bikes have both a suspension front fork and a rear shock that integrates with the frame to gain travel over terrain. Downhill and free-ride bikes generally have full suspension with beefier frames and more speed.
MSRP: $3,210
Size: 18 inches
Frame: Strike DH frame that has sealed bearing pivots and an ISCG mount. There's 8.7 inches of travel and a Fox DHX 5.0 rear shock.
Fork: RockShox Boxxer Team 20mm through axle, Triple, 203mm dual coil, HC2 damping, external rebound and low/high-speed compression adjust.
Derailleur: The rear is Sram X.9, but not applicable for the front end
Rims: Sun 8-Track double wall with eyelets
Tires: Kenda Nevegal 26x2.5 with DH casing, Stick-E rubber
Brakes: Hayes El Camino with 8-inch rotors
Pedals: Diamondback CNC platform with chromoly axles, replaceable pins
What else? If you're looking for a downhill bike-and racer-with heavy-duty equipment, check out the Strike DH. As the kids at Diamondback like to point out, it has more suspension travel than some 4x4s.
Get one: www.diamondback.com
MSRP: $224
Frame: 19 inches; Jeep's teardrop aluminum chassis
Fork: Non-adjustable, with 2 inches of travel in front
Derailleur: 21-speed Shimano TZ30 front and rear
Rims: Aluminum 26x1.5 inch 36H
Tires: 26x1.95
Brakes: Alloy linear pull
Pedals: MTB type with ball bearings
What else? This hardtail has a kickstand and reflectors, as well as a seven-speed cogset and a steel 28/38/48T 170mm crankset
Get one: www.jeepbikes.com
MSRP: $1,899
Frame: Easton 7005 FS Oval RAD Taperwall aluminum, 18 inches
Fork: Marzocchi EXR Pro Coil with 4.7 inches of travel in front
Derailleur: Shimano XT and LX, rear and front
Rims: Alex TD17 discs
Tires: Maxxis Minion 2.35-60 TPI
Brakes: Hayes HFX-9 hydraulic disc
Pedals: Shimano M520
What else? This full-suspension bike has a nine-speed Shimano Deore cogset, a FOX Float R with custom-valved ProPedal rear shock for 5 inches of travel
Get one: www.bikes.com
MSRP: $1,599 (frame); complete bike starts at $2,500 (info here is in base form)
Frame: Racer-X AI
Fork: Axel Elite
Derailleur: Rear is Sram X.7, front is LX
Rims: Bontrager Select
Tires: Kenda Wire Bead 2.6-inchers
Brakes:Avid Mechanical disc
Pedals: None
What else? With the 2.6-inch rubber, there's 7 inches of travel front and rear for a serious free-ride bike
Get one: www.titusti.com