There are many makes and models of mountain bikes on the market today. In fact, you can usually find exactly what you want - right off the showroom floor - without ordering specialized mountain bikes. However, sometimes specialized mountain bikes can offer more of what you want in a ride! Bikes can be specialized in a variety of ways - depending on what type of performance you want from the bike. Some bikes are even specialized simply to look a certain way, and the specialization has little or nothing to do with performance. Again, it all just depends on what you want and what you need - and how much you are willing to pay for it. Many people request or make very small changes to the bike - but certain changes turn an ordinary mountain bike into a specialized mountain bike - no doubt about it! For instance, many people want specialized frames, but everything else about the bike is factory standard. A large majority of people want specialized ultra-smooth suspension seat posts or fully adjustable handlebars made of alloy. Specialized suspensions are common requests and modifications that a large number of mountain bikers make. Specialized tires, which are suited to specific types of terrain, are popular as well. Of course, specialized paint jobs or designs are the top requests and modifications made by those who place a great deal of importance on the look of the bike as well. Specialized parts and components cost a lot of money in most cases, but some specialization and customization can be done affordably, if you are willing to do the work yourself and only pay for the needed parts. Having to pay a shop to do the work starts driving the costs up quickly! So, if you want to customize your bike in anyway, try to learn what you need to know to do the work yourself to keep costs down. Some people have major specialization work done, and by the time the work is complete - the bike rides and looks like a totally different bike! Of course this type of specialization should be reserved for expert riders who know exactly what they want, and how those customizations will affect their ride or their techniques. This type of specialization runs into the thousands of dollars - over the cost of the bike without the specialization! Beware of the word specialized! It doesn't always mean what you think it means. For instance, many bike shops use the word 'specialized' in their business name - this doesn't necessarily mean that they sell specialized bikes. It is also important to note that a specialized bike, in most cases, does not mean that you are the only person in the world with that type of bike - unless you've ordered a specialized bike that is guaranteed to be one-a-kind (most bike shops will not make this guarantee, but you could get such a guarantee from a major manufacturer). Beginners do not need specialized bikes. Again, the average rider can find exactly what they want and need in a bike shop, or at an Internet bike store. Some bikes arrive at the store for resale already specialized - in almost every case you have the option of getting a bike that you see in a store customized to suite your needs, but it usually costs quite a bit, and you have to wait for the parts to come in and the work to be done before you can take the bike out of the store and onto the trails. The best way to get a specialized mountain bike is to order one at an online bike store, or directly through the manufacturer. This is the best way to ensure that you are getting the right specialization to suit your needs and desires. Just make sure that you have enough experience with mountain bikes to know what kind of specialization you want before you just start adding or changing components without fully planning or thinking things through - sometimes specialization can ruin your ride, as opposed to improving it - which is what specialized mountain bikes are supposed to be all about! |
