Have you been considering buying a Mountain Bike to cruise around town and get back into shape on? If so, great idea indeed; in fact a mountain bike is perfect because you will not hurt your knees jogging while you dump those extra pounds. Once you are back into shape then running with less weight is less strenuous on your knees.

But one would have to ask which Mountain Bike should you buy? Well let me go thru my thought process and perhaps this will help you decide. My thoughts are I need a Mono-shock, lightweight bike. Not for racing so it does not have to be ultra-light. Also I need a quick release front hub so I can transport it easily to get to some local trails in the country I have not ridden on yet. Other than that, it could even be used. So My criteria would be;

1.) New or Used in Good Shape

2.) Gift Card for a bike at a major retailer or shipped to me

3.) Yellow or Blue (you should have a favorite color in mind)

4.) Mono-shock and front shocks

5.) Quick release front wheel, actually front and back is preferred

Now then I recommend you get out a yellow note pad and put down your criteria. Then shop the ads and go to a couple of bicycle shops and ask questions and compare prices and features. Perhaps test-ride the ones you are interested in. If you find the prices too high; then check on eBay for a used bike. It is important to get a sturdy bike that is safe and fun to ride to insure you will be diligent and ride off those extra pounds to become a thinner you. Consider all this in 2006.