The Basics
What's with all the wheel sizes?
For eons, mountain bikes came with one wheel size: 26 inches. But over the past five or so years, 29-inch wheels have become ubiquitous. Thanks to their larger diameter, "29ers" are more stable, put more rubber in contact with the dirt, and roll over obstacles better. They're slightly heavier and don't turn quite as nimbly, but for most people they're the better choice.
How many gears is enough?
More important than the number of gears is the range—the difference between high and low. You'll see bikes sold with 2x10 or 3x10 gearing (that is, two or three chainrings up front plus 10 cogs in back). A 3x10 has a wider range and a few more gears in the middle. It's only recently that 2x10 has been an option for mountain bikes, but the benefits—lighter weight, faster shifts, and a range that works for most riders—are making it the dominant system.
What about upgrading my old ride?
Bikes used to be plug-and-play: Any part worked on any frame. Today there's a lot more integration—components and frames that only work together. This can make upgrades tricky. The upside to buying an all-new bike? Progress. Integrated systems are lighter, stronger, and more durable.
Buying Advice
A 29er with 4 to 5 inches of suspension travel and a 2x10 drivetrain will be the ideal mountain bike for about 80 percent of riders. Swap in 3x10 gearing and you cover roughly another 10 percent (people who do a lot of climbing or just like really easy gears). The remaining 10 percent are downhillers or cross-country racers, who have other very specific, very expensive needs.
Source: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/06/mountain-bikes/
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