Avoiding an 'all the gear no idea' scenario
Discussion
Ive decided to take up mountain biking and will be looking to buy my first bike (first in a long time) this weekend. Budget wise is around the £600 mark and have narrowed it down to a few choices - Cannondale SL4, Btwin 8.1,Giant Revel 1 and a Carrera Fury.
Now for the main part of this topic. What would be the minimum amount of kit a newbie like myself should invest in? I dont want to be looking like ive just stepped out of mountain biking catalog nor do i want to be under prepared.
Now for the main part of this topic. What would be the minimum amount of kit a newbie like myself should invest in? I dont want to be looking like ive just stepped out of mountain biking catalog nor do i want to be under prepared.
Edited by matlee on Tuesday 9th July 21:09
Smartboy said:
Maybe some eyewear as well?
I never ride without something protecting my eyes, even a pair of normal sunglasses helps keep bugs, dust, mud, rain, foliage from getting in your eyes when out on the trails.
This. All day long, this^^^^I never ride without something protecting my eyes, even a pair of normal sunglasses helps keep bugs, dust, mud, rain, foliage from getting in your eyes when out on the trails.
Do not ride without eye protection, if you intend getting in amongst the trees.
I have lost count of the number of times my (cheap) eye wear has saved me from a nasty branch/twig in the eye moment, or fended off a stone thrown up by mine, or a riding partner's tyres. Too late if you ride without glasses and damage your eyesight. Protect them peepers at all cost. The medics can stitch torn skin and you'll get a right manly battle scar, but damage an eye out in the ooloo and you'll likely lose it.
And the helmet too, not so much for the falling off moments, as I try to avoid that. But every now and then I'll get t
tted by a low branch, and be thankful for the protection a helmet gives. I'd also recommend some MTB gloves with a degree of knuckle protection. I've been thankful for these many times when going 'off the beaten track' between trees and gorse bushes.
Oh, if you are a big baby and likely to cry out for mummy if the nasty stinging nettles get you, cover your legs, FFS. Or if you are a proper man, wear shorts. After a while it just tingles a little bit, anyway.
Helmet and gloves and some way of taking fluids with you. Hydration pack is best, you can stick your keys wallet phone whatever in, better than llanding thigh on keys when you inevitability first crash.
A mini tool and some patches / mini pump will get you back riding, far better than pushing it home or to the car.
But in all seriousness, just don't give a flying fk about what other people think. No one whose ever uttered the words "all the gear..." about another rider has done so without sounding like a complete , they're no better than bike snobs. Leave that sort of st to bhy teenage girls. Ha hs
A mini tool and some patches / mini pump will get you back riding, far better than pushing it home or to the car.
But in all seriousness, just don't give a flying f
k about what other people think. No one whose ever uttered the words "all the gear..." about another rider has done so without sounding like a complete , they're no better than bike snobs. Leave that sort of st to bhy teenage girls. Ha hsDitto the above comments, plus: As an ex roadie, how I laughed at my mates and their knee pads... until I stacked it in the trail centre. 40 year old knees don't hold up as well as 20 yr old ones 
. If you're going to do anything a bit "gnarly" eventually, invest in a pair. I don't even realise I'm wearing mine any more.
And sod what everyone thinks, get what you need to be comfy/safe and enjoy YOUR rides.
. If you're going to do anything a bit "gnarly" eventually, invest in a pair. I don't even realise I'm wearing mine any more. And sod what everyone thinks, get what you need to be comfy/safe and enjoy YOUR rides.
As others have said the above usual Safety minimums Helmet, glasses, gloves etc (try and get gloves that give your knuckles support as after the first few rides especially in colder conditions your finger knuckles may seize up from the strain of gripping the bars so tight. Speaking of which a good set of thick grips and a decent saddle are also a must. Dont fall for the bigger thicker softer saddle is best rubbish a thin lightweight firm one does best IMO (the harder the saddle is actually more comfortable because your pelvis bone takes the weight rather than your muscle) and get one with a cut out or relief for the spuds as there's main arteries and nerves in that area that you do not want to put pressure on.
Also hyrdration is critical so again for carrying fluids i find a Camelback (or equivilant) are worth their weight in gold for decent rides and you can stick spare inner tubes, lever's pumps and your phone, wallet etc in them. handy hint if you can keep your phone somewhere where it wont get smashed if you fall off and when its wet stick it in a zip up freezer bag ideally to keep it dry.
But most importantly the first and only thing you really need to bring with you is common sense. Tell someone where your going, how long you think you'll be and make sure you can contact each other (signal allowing at all times) they're are various SOS apps if your alone and find yourself in a spot of bother. Oh and my final rule, look after your bike and it'll look after you.
Clothing wise i just go out in a high wicking top (bring a rain mac if the sky looks moody) and shorts/zip off trousers.
Also hyrdration is critical so again for carrying fluids i find a Camelback (or equivilant) are worth their weight in gold for decent rides and you can stick spare inner tubes, lever's pumps and your phone, wallet etc in them. handy hint if you can keep your phone somewhere where it wont get smashed if you fall off and when its wet stick it in a zip up freezer bag ideally to keep it dry.
But most importantly the first and only thing you really need to bring with you is common sense. Tell someone where your going, how long you think you'll be and make sure you can contact each other (signal allowing at all times) they're are various SOS apps if your alone and find yourself in a spot of bother. Oh and my final rule, look after your bike and it'll look after you.
Clothing wise i just go out in a high wicking top (bring a rain mac if the sky looks moody) and shorts/zip off trousers.
Edited by Andy ap on Friday 12th July 14:15
Edited by Andy ap on Friday 12th July 18:15
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