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Best Trail Bike for Beginners 2018
Looking to find a great beginner trail bike but don’t know where to start? There is a variety of trail bikes, off-road riding bikes, and entry-level mountain bikes nowadays, making the search for the perfect one so much more difficult than it used to be. Therefore, we’ve compiled some helpful information that you really should know before you purchase your first trail bike. Included in this handy guide is also the best trail bikes for beginners that you can find, with a detailed analysis of why they’re so much better than their counterparts.
What you NEED to know before you purchase your first trail bike
What is a trail bike?
A trail bike is a form of a mountain bike that has a specific purpose. Mountain bikes are mainly for those who are looking to ride on off-road areas, such as forests, mountains, or just rough unpaved roads or areas.
Trail bikes, the most common type of mountain bike around, are actually really good for every day or general use. Because of the way they’re designed, trail bikes are able to handle even the toughest of trails while also keeping comfort and speed at the top of their game. Different from other types of mountain bikes, trail bikes can be much lighter than their counterparts.
The types, models, sizes, and uses of trail bikes range drastically—as does their price range. While trail bikes, for the most part, can descend quite well, they are mainly used for hills or flatter terrain.
Trail bike sizes
Size is everything when trying to find a beginning bike that performs the best. When thinking of buying any bike, regardless of the purpose, size is the most important thing to consider. If you buy a size that is too big or too small for your needs, it can really ruin the overall performance of the bike—and the overall enjoyment that you experience.
Most trail bikes come in sizes from S to XL, so you’re sure to find a bike that best fits your height and needs. However, a bit more should be deliberated before you make a jump and buy the first thing you think you like.
You should always consider the standover height, the effective top tube length (or ETT), the reach, and the seat height. The seat height is really important, as it’s the only thing you actually have any control over—and it can really change your whole riding experience. Your legs should be about 80 or 90% extended when you pedal while sitting, so make sure you adjust it accordingly.
Parts of a trail bike
To simplify things, here are the main components of a trail bike, as well as their uses and how they should perform.
Frame: The Frame is the bike’s main body where all components are attached. For mountain bikes, aluminum is the most common material that bike frames are made out of. Aluminum frames offer a more lightweight bike (which is ideal) and tend to be cheaper than other materials. However, in recent years, carbon frames and titanium have become popular mountain bike material.
Wheels/Tires: As you probably know, wheels and tires on any bike experience some wear and tear. Tires on mountain bikes experience more wear and tear than any other bike. For the most part, a beginning biker should always look for tires that are puncture resistant, quite stable and durable, and have a good traction on mountainous or rocky surfaces. It will make life much easier if you have good tires so make sure you always check out the material used before buying a bike.
Handlebars: Handlebars come in a variety of different shapes and sizes and it’s really up to you to find out what you like best. Everyone prefers something different so this might take some time before you figure out what style you really prefer.
Saddle or Seat post: The saddle is what you sit on as you ride, though you may not use it as much as normal on a trail or mountain bike. For the most part, trail or mountain bikes tend to have more comfortable saddles than other bikes. You can always adjust the height distance of your seat post if you need to, making your experience riding better.
Gear System: The gear system is probably the most complex part or component of a bike, as this is where the shifters, derailleurs, cassette and crankset live.
Brakes: Having high-quality and efficient brakes is important—and very vital to your safety. In trail or mountain bikes, brakes come in both disc and rim form. While they both work differently, they are both effective and important. Make sure you always look to see what type of brakes any bike you decide to buy has.
How trail bikes differ from road bikes
Trail or mountain bikes, for the most part, are designed for rougher terrain and harsher conditions than the average road bike. To put it simply, trail bikes are the exact opposite of road bikes. One of the biggest differences between trail and road bikes are the wheel size and durability. Mountain bikes are made for tough circumstances, so their wheels and tires are going to be bigger and much more durable than road bikes. This also plays hand in hand with the fact that most trail or mountain bike is heavier than the average road bike.
Sometimes, people confuse BMX bikes and mountain bikes—or they think they are one in the same. Actually, mountain bikes and BMX bikes really don’t have anything in common with each other. BMX bikes normally only have one speed, which differs greatly from all mountain bikes. Also, BMX bikes are mainly only for courses and tricks—they really can’t handle potential harsh conditions off-road like mountain bikes can.
Hybrid bikes are a combination of road and mountain bikes so they do share quite a lot of similarities with mountain bikes. However, hybrids are mostly used and recommended for commuting (as in to work or for errands) and really can’t survive the harsh conditions and terrains that mountain and trail bikes can.
As you can see, mountain or trail bikes are really the only bikes that can accurately withstand even the harshest of conditions while riding.
The best trail bikes for beginners
Below is a list compiled of the best five trail bikes that would be great for beginners and experts alike. With a detailed analysis of what the bike is equipped with, as well as a simple pros and cons list, this handy guide can help you find a new trail bike to add to your outdoor activities.
The Diamondback Overdrive 29 Bike is valuable for beginners as it offers a hand-built aluminum frame that has a very efficient geometry throughout the whole bike. The balance, therefore, and overall control of the bike is much easier, even in tough terrain. With 29-inch wheels, this bike is able to roll over bigger holes than normal, as well as make difficult climbs easier with more control. Equipped with Tektro disc brakes and a Shimano 3x8 drivetrain, this trail bike comes about 85% assembled already.
To keep things simple, here are the pros and cons of the Diamondback Overdrive 29:
Pros
Cons
The Vilano Blackjack 3.0 was produced for both clear pavements and rough terrains. Budget friendly, compared to other mountain and trail bikes, this bike comes equipped with mechanical disc brakes and a Shimano 8-speed EF-51 integrated shifter and brake lever. Also assembled with a suspension fork with lockout, the Vilano Blackjack 3.0 has 29-inch wheels. This suspension fork is beneficial to beginning riders, as it offers more stability and pedal efficiency.
To keep things simple, here are the pros and cons of the Vilano Blackjack 3.0:
Pros
Cons
Gravity FSX 1.0
This specific model’s frame is made of hydroformed aluminum alloy, resulting in it becoming a full suspension bike. Because of this frame, the bike overall has a very steady and stable geometry throughout the bike, making it a valuable bike to have for beginners. Even with all of these frame components, the bike only weighs about 26 pounds, making it quite a lightweight trail bike. The Gravity FSX 1.0 Bike comes with adjustable suspension in both the front and rear parts of the bike. The saddle was produced to make rides both on and off trail as comfortable as possible. The tires, however, don’t seem to do well with traction.
To keep things simple, here are the pros and cons of the Gravity FSX 1.0 Bike:
Pros
Cons
The Raleigh Tokul 1 Mountain Bike is an 11-speed trail mountain bike that was produced to survive even the harshest of trails in the roughest conditions. With 27.5” wheels, the frame is made of butted aluminum frame, resulting in a more lightweight feel to the whole geometry of the bike. This specific model is equipped with hydraulic rotors for brakes that can work in any weather condition. These brakes are quite reliable and can even work among hills and mountain climbs.
To keep things simple, here are the pros and cons of the Raleigh Tokul 1 Mountain Bike:
Pros
Cons
The Gravity FSX 2.0 Bike’s frame is made of advanced aluminum, which results in the whole bike’s geometry being efficient and lightweight compared to the normal mountain and trail bike weight. This frame is made to withstand harsh conditions and weather. Also equipped with Tektro Novela Disc Brakes—which are quite powerful and efficient—beginners don’t have to worry about faulty brakes.
To keep things simple, here are the pros and cons of the Gravity FSX 2.0 Bike:
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
While all of the trail and mountain bikes listed here are of the highest quality, there is one that exceeds all the rest—and that’s the Raleigh Tokul 1 Mountain Bike. This trail bike is perfect for beginners trying to learn and adapt to riding in rougher terrain while also being quite high-quality considering its medium price range. The brakes are really quite strong and dependable, which is always really important when first starting out to ride—and really, regardless of what stage of experience you’re at. Finding high-quality brakes that are long-lasting is rare for mountain bikes. Because this bike was made specifically for beginners, there are a lot of aspects that just make this bike exceed all of the others. By looking at all of the different parts the Raleigh bike has to offer, it’s easy to see how it’s made from premium material—and how it’s the best option for beginners and advanced riders alike.
