How to Buy a Shock for a Mountain Bike
If you've been riding without suspension you may feel a bit rattled. Don't let a bumpy trail get you down - buy a shock.
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Instructions
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Talk to other mountain bikers who ride with shocks. They can tell you which shocks work best - or at least which ones they prefer.
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Experiment with a variety of shocks before you buy one. Do this by taking spins on friends' bikes or test-riding the bikes in a bike shop.
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Read the reviews in mountain biking magazines and on mountain biking Web sites.
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Decide how much money you're willing to spend and the quality and design of suspension that is appropriate for your riding style and the terrain you cover most often. You're looking at roughly $250 to get a decent shock and they go way up from there.
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Shop for bargains. Last year's models often go on sale.
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Tips & Warnings
If you normally ride smooth terrain, you probably don't need a shock. The added weight of a shock - and the inefficiency it adds to your pedaling - will only slow you down without helping your control.
Full suspension - that is, shocks for both the front and rear wheels - is becoming more popular (and less expensive) as advances in technology lead to stronger and lighter materials.
