5 Secrets to Buying the Cheapest Good Mountain Bike

1. Don't buy from Canadian Tire


They do have really low prices but unless you really want the bottom of the barrel you will not be getting a quality bike.

2. Go in the off season.

If you are looking for a really good bike but don't want to pay top dollar shop during the Winter or just before Spring when bike stores are clearing out their inventory. That's how I got my bike at cost. Yeehaw!

3. Figure out what you need and don't buy anything extra.


It's tempting when you don't know a lot about what you are buying to shell out extra cash once the salesperson starts explaining parts and features. Don't waste your money. Get what you need and if you find you are biking all the time and what you have is not enough then it's time to upgrade. As a rule of thumb you shouldn't have to pay more than $300 to $500 for a nice bike. Remember you're trying to buy cheap and good not expensive and good.

4. Don't forget about accessories in your budget.



Generally you will want to leave $100-$200 dollars in your budget for bike accessories. A good helmet costs $50 and a good lock costs you $50+ also you will need a bell, lights, pump, extra bike tube and some bike grease. Don't forget the clackers!

 5. Take your time and shop around.


Don't just buy the first bike you come across. Find something that fits you and that you really like. Go to all the bike stores and take them for a test ride. This way you can get a really good idea of what you like and don't like in a cheap mountain bike. Also don't hesitate to ask the owner to swap parts if you for example don't like the seat.

Good luck and happy mountain bike buying!