Mid-range bikes are definitely the right choice if you are planning on strictly off-road riding, but are not planning on racing. You will end up with a high-quality bike that was relatively inexpensive because these bikes are the middle range manufactured by different companies. The bike has some benefits over the lower-end bikes, such as the components are usually of higher quality and do not weigh quite as much. You will find that the mid-range bikes are priced most competitively so you're apt to get a great deal!

Mid-range Bikes Include:

24-Speeds -- Makes your ride easier and more efficient.

Aheadset Stem -- The weight of the front end is greatly reduced with this kind of headset which is a great advantage on a racing bike..

Middle to top of the range bikes feature:

Bonded Tubing - You will find on many of these bikes that all of the tubing is bonded which makes it very strong.

Suspension Fork - Most high-end bikes come equipped with a suspension fork which means that the stem is a bike lower than most.

Custom Tubing - Some companies offer the buyers choice of tubing material used to construct their bike with. This generally tends to make the bike lighter depending upon the material chosen.

External Butting - On high-end bikes, external butting is used to increase the strength of the frame and also reduce the weight.

Sophisticated Fork - Some manufacturers have created their own suspension fork which look much flashier than some of the later add-on ones most people have.

Before you Buy -

1. We recommend that you start by reading bicycle reviews in biking magazines or on the Internet. Also talk with friends to see what they like and dislike about their bikes.

2. Take your prospective bike for a test drive: Make sure that the saddle is adjusted properly and that its not above the maximum height mark. Also make sure that you aren't stretching to reach the handlebars or are too cramped.

3. Ensure that the wheels are secure in the forks and that the quick-release levers are tight. Also check to see that the headset is tight, if its not the bike will not be considered under warranty. While checking the headset, make sure that the handlebars are correctly positioned in the frame, Push down hard on the handlebars as well to see if anything is loose, e.g. brake levers or shifters.

4. Don't allow a pushy salesperson to coax you into buying a bike that you don't really know anything about.

5. Check to see that you are buying the right size.

6. Look around at other bike shops or in catalogs to see if you are paying more for your bike than you should be.

7. If the bike is being sold at a very low price, don't hesitate to ask the retailer why the bike is going for that price. There could be a defect which would cause for a loss of warranty.

8. If you are offered any kind of free tune up after purchasing your bike, make sure that you bring it in. This will allow for any adjustments to be made if the bike had not been set up properly.

9. If you feel that you don't really know too much about bikes, bring a friend along who knows more about them and can ask helpful questions.

Things to Consider-

1. Try to set a budget for yourself so that you will only look at bikes that are in your price range. This will make it easier on you to choose one you like and feel comfortable forking the cash over for.

2. Try to assess how much riding you'll be doing and on what kinds of terrain.

3. Do as much research on your possible purchase as you can. Collect booklets on each bike and then compare them to see which bike has the components you want.

4. Try to test ride each bike that you've been looking at because there's no better comparison then actually riding.

5. If you are intending to buy a second-hand bike, ask a local bike shop to look it over for you to make sure everything is working properly. Also, ask the seller for the original sales receipt to prove that the bike wasn't stolen. You should also find out what types of riding the seller used the bike for to make sure that the bike isn't worn out.