Buying a New Mountain Bike

       The thing people ask me about the most is picking out a new mountain bike. There are tons of factors that go into the purchase of a new bike, but the dizzying array of possible setups can be much simplified! As I write this, I assume readers are in the market for a cross-country mountain bike. This is probably thought of as your "normal" mountain bike, as opposed to a trials or downhill bike. Anywho, let's get started.
       First, let's talk about brands. There are tons of brands out there, and some are not-so-legitimate. A good general rule of thumb is that any brand you find in your local bike shop (not Wal-Mart or Target) will be of sufficient quality for trail riding. I've personally had good experiences riding Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Intense, and Kona bikes. As fate may have it, these are all reasonably priced as well (although Intense's price tags are debatable). In short: for the sake of all that is holy, don't buy a bike (if you plan to ride it on trails) from a general mega-retailer like K-mart. If you are just looking for some list of sweet bikes, jump to the last paragraph, and skip over the breadth of my infinite wisdom :)
       So now you know what NOT to look for. Perhaps the single most important thing you SHOULD look for, however, is correct size. Size really does matter in the context of a mountain bike, and dimensions that are too small or large will put you at a disadvantage. Really, your hieght, rather than wieght is what goes into picking out a correctly sized bike. Personally, I am 6'5'' and ride an XL Specialized Enduro as well as an XXL Allez; so I would know. A good shop should be able to fit a bike for your size better than I can describe, as I am not physically with you. Generally though, a guy around my height would want either an XL frame or XXL frame. Someone around 6'1 should opt for a large; someone 5'7'' would want a medium, and someone 5'3'' would be looking at a small.
       There are a few other dimensions that need attention. Handlebar length, for example, is too often overlooked. Bars that are too short don't allow your chest to open enough during heavy breathing. Huge bars, on the other hand, will hit every tree you ride by, and will generally be cumbersome. Find a happy medium that allows for maximum maneuverability while still keeping your arms far enough apart to allow for full breaths.
       Wheel size is also becoming a choice. Although 26'' wheels are the still norm, 29'' has been in vogue lately. Most should go for the 26'' to start with. However, 29ers are awesome for a certain type of riding. Although they are less maneuverable than standard wheels, they have the tendency to roll right over pretty much anything, which makes technical trails a breeze. Switchbacks and other tight situations... not so much. Someone who is especially tall, such as myself, might want to look into the 29'' option though, since the wheel is more in proportion with a taller body and bike frame.
       We now turn our attention to the much debated issue of suspension. Weight weenies will argue that rear shocks' "bobbing" ruin their uphill orgies. Those more gravity-inclined might argue that low-travel shocks are simply "lame, man." The truth is, there's no definitive setup. If you want to zip up hills with finesse but take on a bit more bumpy of a ride, choose a low-travel bike, perhaps a hardtail even (for newbies, a hardtail is a bike with no rear suspension). If you want to shred the downhills but sacrifice pedalling efficiency, choose high-travel suspension. I myself have an indecisive personality, so I own an all-mountain bike, which is a cross between a high-travel freeride bike and a low-travel XC bike. Look for Fox Racing Shox if you want the nicest suspension. Rock Shox, Manitou, Marzocchi, and Cannondale also make some pretty sweet, bomb-diggity shocks.
       As a last peice of advice regarding personal preference, be sure to (if you can) test ride the bike, if the option is even vaguely within the realm of possibility. This may entail taking it for a spin out back, but if you can, go ride it on a trail. Every body is different, and different bikes fit different people. Specialized bikes happen to fit me perfectly. I have a friend, though, who sticks by Cannondale. Even though Specialized makes a good bike, it just doesn't fit him that well. So don't be afraid to ask your shop for a billion demos. It'll be worth it.
In closing, I'll name a few awesome, straight-up cross country bikes that I would wholeheartedly endorse. Keep in mind, though, that every bike and body is different.

• Cannondale Rush. This bike is a great example of a happy medium between plush and rigid suspension. Pretty light, with dual suspension.
• Specialized Stumpjumper. Here's a bike that's tried and true. The first widely manufactured mountain bike ever, and a prime example of a do it all XC bike. Dual suspension.
• Trek Liquid. Another sweet, versatile XC bike.

       These three are middle of the road in terms of riding style: not too heavy, but not too stiff. Bear in mind these three bikes are all quite similar; it really depends on personal preference.