What kit for a noob Mountain Biker?

[foliedouce]

Just ordered an eMTB and take delivery (hopefully) next week.

Have booked a lesson at my local bike park as I’ve never been Mountain Biking before (well once in Val D’Isere where I scared myself down a green)

What kit do I need to buy? And where from?

Is Fox any good? Came up on my google search.

Given I’m middle aged, unfit and porky, I’m thinking armour as no doubt I will crash. Or is this OTT?

What about a full face helmet?

Sorry. Haven’t got a clue!

[fredd1e]

Shoes (what pedals does the bike have?) Flat sticky shoes for flat pedals, SPD compatible for clipless pedals. 5Ten (owned by Adidas) make good flat pedal shoes as do others

Shorts/Trews? (baggy, padded or inner padded liners =Style choice + comfort for the sit bones) I change what I wear dependant on season/weather etc

Top wicking breathable warm/windproof? depends on weather conditions and how far hard you go.

Fox is good but expensive, I reserve my fox purchases for the sales. DHB reasonable quality not to dear, go browsing evans /CRC (wiggle) for price /options ideas.

[cml24]

For clothes, take a look at decathlon, as they have very reasonably priced stuff. Perhaps worth getting a few bits and pieces and upgrading/changing at a later date?

[Carl-H]

Flat pedals for an emtb in my opinion! You don't need the extra efficiency and it can be more fun. Get some decent flat pedals and five ten shoes. Shorts wise I swear by endura humvees. Padded liner shorts inside, look good and mine have lasted for years now with plenty miles and crashes. Still new.

Knee pads if your looking to do proper mtb stuff. Plenty of choice depending on budget. Obviously a good helmet

[Hard-Drive]

From the top down:

Helmet-should have a peak for MTB, although no-one knows why. MIPS lids in theory give better crash protection but are more expensive. Look for lots of vents. Giro Hex is a good compromise. You only need a full face for proper downhill and I don't think that's you yet mate!

Glasses-to stop crap going in your eyes. Look for interchangeable lenses...dark, yellow, and clear. Sportpursuit were doing Velochampions for a tenner recently.

Jersey-baggier fit than a road one. Endura/DHB for good value.

Shorts-will have an inner like road shorts that pop into baggier outers with lots of pockets. Endura Humvee are really good, I have one pair of above the knee, one pair of below the knee.

Socks-SealSkinz are good for wet conditions

Shoes-as mentioned before Five 10s are good, get non-SPD if you are just riding flats

Gloves-take your pick

You will probably want a long sleeve jersey and a waterproof, breathable, packable jacket. Don't spend too much here, nothing worse that sticking a hole in an expensive jacket after falling off!

Armour-661 do nice, flexible knee pads and elbow guards. Wear it appropriately-no point in armouring up to have a play around on bridleways, but if you are doing a day at a trail centre it's probably a good idea.

Also don't forget tools and accessories:
-Bottle and cage
-Spare tube and an old empty toothpaste tube cut into an oblong to act as a boot
-Tyre levers
-Pump
-Multi tool
-Wet and dry conditions chain lube
-Muc-Off/brushes for cleaning (never use Fairy liquid or a jet wash)
-Can of GT85
-Also definitely worth going tubeless to avoid pinch flats and punctures, so you will need new valves & tyre sealant (but you'll still need a tube in your spares)
-Saddle bag or frame bag to carry the bits in

Planet X is good for a lot of that stuff...

[Gompo]

Just to piggyback slightly on this thread (hope that's ok OP!), as somebody in a not too dissimilar situation, any recommendations for some lightweight/thin padded shorts and perhaps gloves also? I seem to sweat quite a lot.

[foliedouce]

Thanks all - this is really useful and I will get shopping, I have bought DMR V12 Magnesium Flat MTB Pedals so will get shoes as recommended.

I want to protect myself as much as possible, so will go for knee and elbow pads.

I'm told the place that I'm learning at (Aston Hill) is quite hardcore for a noob.

[Gecko1978]

Gompo said:

Just to piggyback slightly on this thread (hope that's ok OP!), as somebody in a not too dissimilar situation, any recommendations for some lightweight/thin padded shorts and perhaps gloves also? I seem to sweat quite a lot.

Decathlon is your friend, I have bought Bib shorts from them and gloves both fine. The gloves are as good a a Giro pair I had which were £30 v Decathlon at £10 I lost the Giro ones too.

As you get more into something spend more but its not like a socket set where buying cheap you will buy twice its some shorts etc that you will replace by more of in time.

[louiebaby]

Hard-Drive said:

-Spare tube and an old empty toothpaste tube cut into an oblong to act as a boot

What's this bit please?

I recently got a hardtail to chase the kids round the forest trails, and have chucked some roadie pedals on and went for a blast on my own the other night. It was quite good fun, and I got filthy.

[looksfast]

foliedouce said:

Thanks all - this is really useful and I will get shopping, I have bought DMR V12 Magnesium Flat MTB Pedals so will get shoes as recommended.

I want to protect myself as much as possible, so will go for knee and elbow pads.

I'm told the place that I'm learning at (Aston Hill) is quite hardcore for a noob.

I did some lessons at Aston Hill (are your lessons with Ian Warby?) a long time ago and you should be fine initially with a helmet (compulsory there), a pair of five tens, an old t shirt and some endura shorts. If you get bitten by the bug, that might be the time to pad up. I have a Bell helmet which has a removable chin bar that might be an option for you to consider. I've used it as full face once as my riding doesn't warrant it.

Good luck - it's a great going down, but less fun coming back up!

[Toltec]

louiebaby said:

Hard-Drive said:

-Spare tube and an old empty toothpaste tube cut into an oblong to act as a boot

What's this bit please?

I recently got a hardtail to chase the kids round the forest trails, and have chucked some roadie pedals on and went for a blast on my own the other night. It was quite good fun, and I got filthy.

If you get a bad split or cut in the tyre the tube will just push out through it. The toothpaste tube can be put over the split on the inside of the tyre to stop that. It is a temporary fix to get you home.

[PomBstard]

Gompo said:

Just to piggyback slightly on this thread (hope that's ok OP!), as somebody in a not too dissimilar situation, any recommendations for some lightweight/thin padded shorts and perhaps gloves also? I seem to sweat quite a lot.

For mtb try Endura Singletrack - I've got a few pairs of these as it gets a bit warm over here in summer... They're not padded, though you can get liners, but have been comfy for 4-5 hour rides.

For gloves, see if you can get Roeckl gloves anywhere. I used to use them a lot but can't seem to find them over here any more. Durable, comfy and lightweight, but not cheap.

[louiebaby]

Toltec said:

If you get a bad split or cut in the tyre the tube will just push out through it. The toothpaste tube can be put over the split on the inside of the tyre to stop that. It is a temporary fix to get you home.

That makes sense, thank you. I used to carry a piece of milk bottle carton in my roadie kit for this purpose. I suspect a carefully folded fiver would work as well now that they're plastic.

[lufbramatt]

louiebaby said:

Toltec said:

If you get a bad split or cut in the tyre the tube will just push out through it. The toothpaste tube can be put over the split on the inside of the tyre to stop that. It is a temporary fix to get you home.

That makes sense, thank you. I used to carry a piece of milk bottle carton in my roadie kit for this purpose. I suspect a carefully folded fiver would work as well now that they're plastic.

I carry 6" long sections of sidewall cut out of old MTB tyres, stick in place with either rubber solution or flexible superglue (can get packs if little 1g tubes off ebay/amazon etc). Park do tyre boots if you're feeling flush.

[Gompo]

Thanks for the replies regarding my clothing question.

lufbramatt said:

louiebaby said:

Toltec said:

If you get a bad split or cut in the tyre the tube will just push out through it. The toothpaste tube can be put over the split on the inside of the tyre to stop that. It is a temporary fix to get you home.

That makes sense, thank you. I used to carry a piece of milk bottle carton in my roadie kit for this purpose. I suspect a carefully folded fiver would work as well now that they're plastic.

I carry 6" long sections of sidewall cut out of old MTB tyres, stick in place with either rubber solution or flexible superglue (can get packs if little 1g tubes off ebay/amazon etc). Park do tyre boots if you're feeling flush.

As an inexperienced tubeless rider (just picked up a 2nd hand bike with them), could you somewhat ironically use a cut up length of inner tube to do this, or would it be too thin/flexible?

[Brainpox]

You should consider going tubeless for a bit of piece of mind. The sealant closes small holes through the tyre so you don't get so many punctures you need to care about - I never fancied doing repairs in the middle of a forest.

Speaking of which, you will want a DECENT multitool i.e. something that won't round out your hex bolts.

Tyre and shock pump, if your bike doesn't come with them (most come with a shock pump but my friends £7k Merida did not!)

Knee pads definitely, I found out a few weeks ago that gravel and mud do not mix well with the inside of a flesh wound.

I have the V12 Magnesium pedals you've mentioned - they are great, but don't expect the finish to last long! A couple of pedal strikes or just laying the bike down will see them getting scratched (doesn't bother me on a MTB, but some care)

I have a pair of Endura Hummvee Zip-off trousers which I've found work brilliant in either trouser or shorts mode. Really deep pockets and fairly resistant to water and dirt. The bottom bits don't get caught in the bike. They come with a liner too, I got them for £55 and they will do everything. From reviews sizing can be bit all over the place so YMMV.

Peaked helmet for MTB, slows your head down before your face hits in the floor if you go over the handlebars. I wear a full face quite a lot now if I'm on trails as the downsides aren't all that compared to the extra protection they offer. Not mandatory though. Whatever you get make sure it's got MIPS as it'll reduce rotational forces if you land hard on your head.

[Toltec]

I wear some orienteering shin guards when there is likely to be a lot of bramble and Holly growth where I'm riding. Call me a wimp if you like.

These are the ones I have-

https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/fella-gaiter/

[nosuchuser]

Toltec said:

I wear some orienteering shin guards when there is likely to be a lot of bramble and Holly growth where I'm riding. Call me a wimp if you like.

These are the ones I have-

https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/fella-gaiter/

That's a good idea, I wear kneepads but my shins are quite ripped up from brambles etc.


OP, 5ten shoes and V12 mags are a grippy match made in heaven, very secure. Just get some spare pins for the pedals cos you'll probably rip some out. I lost 14 in the first 2 rides on my ebike.. Rocks, low bb and just pedalling everywhere giggling

Kneepads and a decent helmet at a minimum, I don't tend to wear elbows if I'm not going out jumping.

A body protector is also a good call, I'm old and don't bounce as well as I used to so I bought an IXS Carve jersey which is fine worn next to skin under a baggy jersey or over a base layer. It's got some new fangled conformable gel armour stuff in the back and shoulders and some eva foam on the ribs. I always wear it and don't even notice it anymore. Also machine washable...

I've got POC air vpd knee and elbow pads, looked at the Bliss ones but wasn't so keen on the colour. The POC knees are really comfy, again hardly notice them for 4-5 hrs riding. Not worn the elbows for long enough to comment yet.

Endura Humvee shorts have a good comfy liner (so important) and Royal Racing Heritage jerseys are quite low key and reasonably priced.

[arfursleep]

Toltec said:

I wear some orienteering shin guards when there is likely to be a lot of bramble and Holly growth where I'm riding. Call me a wimp if you like.

These are the ones I have-

https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/fella-gaiter/

i went out on the weekend and went into uncharted territory without realising and then discovered that the compression sleeves I usually wear to help stop calf pain post ride work very well as gaiters - so well i've never previously noticed that i should always wear them!

might get some of these as well

[Gareth79]

Brainpox said:

Speaking of which, you will want a DECENT multitool i.e. something that won't round out your hex bolts.

Park Tool AWS are fantastic quality. AWS-10 has all the hex wrenches you'd need, AWS-9.2 might be useful if the bike has any T25 fasteners or flat-blade screws (pretty rare on modern bikes I think?).

I'll second buying gloves - I never ever ride without gloves, and after coming off on a roundabout a few weeks ago I was glad of this - the heels of my palms were merely a bit tender rather than missing skin and full of grit which I'm sure they would have been.

Also a disposable glove is useful to carry for putting a chain back on, or other messy repairs.

Edited by Gareth79 on Wednesday 9th September 14:13