In the last decade, mountain biking exploded in popularity. It's healthy, fun, exciting, and a wonderful way to see the outdoors and keep you fit. It's enjoyed all over the world by people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels.

Naturally, more demand brings more choices. Today, when there is so many manufacturers, brands, types, shapes and sizes, it can be quite difficult to choose a bike that suits you the best. Hopefully, this short guide will help you out.

The first thing you need to decide on is what type of bike will you buy. Will that be for off-road riding, will you need full suspension, front suspension or no suspension. Bikes are designed for different terrains and purposes. Before buying you should know what kind of riding will you do.

The second step is choosing the size. Size is important and you must get a bike that fits you. Here is a general guide depending on your height: 15" bikes or less are for people shorter than 5'4", 17" normally fits people that are between 5'4" and 5'11", 19" are for people between 5'11" and 6'2", and 21" and up are for people taller than 6'2".

You can spend a lot of money on a mountain bike, so it's good to have your budget set before buying. You don't want to spend more than is necessary, but you don't want to be cheap either. Remember, you get what you pay for. The best time to buy is in the fall when next year's models come out. When new stock arrives, old stock is cleared and prices drop.

The goal is to get the highest quality bike in your price range. You should look carefully at the bike's components like brakes, brake levers, shift levers, derailleurs and so on. If you think that a full-suspension bicycle for $150 is a quality bike, think again. With poor-quality components you won't get very far.

Biking gear is also essential. Don't forget a helmet, water bottle, speedometer, gloves, glasses and a decent pair of padded biking shorts. Trust me, your behind will be thankful.