Finally ready to take the plunge and buy your very first mountain bike? Congratulations! Whether you’re looking for something to ride out with your mates, a bike to get you from Point A to Point B, or are looking at chasing down the crown of Crankworx Rotorua, there’s a mountain bike out there for you.

Hardtail or Dual Suspension?

Every mountain bike has front suspension with a fork that will range in travel depending on the bikes purpose. A hardtail mountain bike does not have suspension in the rear, whereas a bike is classified as dual suspension if it does have rear suspension.

Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Hardtail mountain bikes have a long-standing reputation for efficiency. They’re sturdy to ride off road over terrains such as light cross country and dirt and will easily navigate through and around the occasional rocks and roots. Another benefit of HT’s (mountain bikers love a good acronym and nickname) is that they lack rear suspension, and the lack of extra parts usually means that servicing is cheaper simply because there are less parts to repair or replace. If you’re looking for a comfortable and affordable mountain bike, a hardtail is a good category to look into. Check out these Norco hardtails and MERIDA hardtails, or check out the full list of Bicycle Centre hardtail mountain bikes.

Dual Suspension Mountain Bikes

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, tearing down the downhills and hitting bigger, a dual suspension mountain bike is what you’re after. The rear suspension means that you won’t be punished for making the wrong decision at speed and because you won’t need to stand up to pedal whenever the terrain gets difficult. If you’re looking to upgrade from a hardtail or just ride more for longer on tougher terrain, a dual suspension mountain bike is for you. Check out these Norco dual suspension bikes and MERIDA dual suspension bikes, or check out the full list of Bicycle Centre dual suspension mountain bikes.