Owning a mountain bike for the first time is usually exciting, especially if you are upgrading from a regular bike. Mountain bikes are cool and pretty versatile and therefore if you are thinking of owning one, do go ahead. There are, however, certain things that you need to have when it comes to these special bikes that you as a beginner needs to look out for.
With that said, there are specific accessories that are essential to every mountain biker. These are the biking gears that you will also need as you start out on your riding experience, which I know is pretty tempting. Before you go on a ride with your new shiny bike, read through our article.
We will look at some of the must have gears that you as a beginner needs to invest in. These gears serve a range of purposes, from keeping you safe to making sure that you are properly hydrated and fit to own your bikming experience.
Let’s get started!
- i) Helmet
A helmet is one of the most essential gears. Unfortunately, unlike in motorcycles,. most, if not all mountain bikes do not come with helmets and therefore, you have to dig deep into your pocket to get one.
Do you want to hear some good news? I bet so. The good news is, you can get a quality helmet for as low as fifty dollars. yes $50. You have probably spent more than $300 dollars on your bike, I am pretty sure a sixth of that for your safety is no big deal.
It is quite unfortunate that most riders go mountain biking without a helmet on, which is pretty risky because it exposes your head to fatal injuries that might cause you permanenet brain damage.
how do you pick the right helmet? First, you need a helmet that fits snugly on your head. You do not want a loosely fitting product that you will keep on adjusting as you ride around. You are better off comfortable.
You should also check on the ventilation. You will sweat while on your bike and the least thing you need is the same sweat trickling all over your face due to poor ventilation. Give your head some fresh air.
- ii) Hydration system
I can assure you that you will spend a lot of time on your mountain bike after your first ride. You therefore need to stay hydrated as much as possible. This is where the hydrationsystem comes in.
A hydration system is more than just a water bottle that you can fix to the frame of your bike. Though this type might be cheaper, it will not serve you for long distance rides. You will therefore have to invest in a hydration pack, which trust me is worth every dime.
What is a hydration pack? A hydration pack is a small pack that has a water bladder and a hose and can be put on the back as you cycle. You can also carry some small personsl items in it saving you a whole load of stress.
in case you are not sure of the brands, I would highly recommend that you settle on the Osprey Packs, which have been tried and tested. You can also settle on the Evoc hydration pack.
iii) Gloves
This is yet another neglected gear that mountain bikers do not care to have. the truth is, you need a good pair of gloves especially if you going to be on your bike for quite some time or if you decide to go mountaneering.
There are different tupes of gloves a rider can have. We have the fingerless and the full fingered gloves which will both protect you from blisters and during crashes. I would however advise that you settle on the full-fingered gloves for a beginner.
Riding your bike without gloves can lead to formation of blisters, calluses, scratches and even wounds that I am pretty sure you would like to avoid. in case you are wondering why you need gloves for even shorter distances, then below is an answer for you.
Gloves do not only protect you from blisters but also help you acjiev the perfect grip. It also makes you comfortable and lessesn your fatigue. You do not have to sell a kidney for a decent pair of gloves, five to ten dollars is just enough.
Lastly, ensure that your gloves are padded.
- iv) Clothing
You also need to observe the coreect clothing while biking. It would be quite uncomfortable riding while wearing an old rugged pair of jeans. this ranges from the shorts, pants and even the shoes.
when it comes to the shorts, it is highly advisable that you settle on padded shorts. These normally enure that you are comfortable during long rides. Trust me or not, this is the most important piece of clothingwhen on your mountain bike.
The good news is, there are several styles of shorts you can obtain. if you do not prefer the common body haznging lycra short, you can choose the famous “shy mountain biking shorts” which are also pretty comfortable.
As a beginner, however, have in mind that these shorts will feel pretty awkward when starting out but you will get used to them over time. You can also wear pants if you do not prefer shorts.
ensure therefore that you go for light pants. I would prefer the stretchers becuase they are normally comfortable as compared to the other types of pants available. You can also wear a short over the stretchers.
You also need the right shoe as you go about mountain biking. What is the right shoes? Get yourself a comfortable shoe that properly fits your feet. You shouls also look out for you pedals. get a pair that rests well on your pedals.
I would also advise that you get a thick-soled shoe which will help you pedal a lot more. You can also pair your shoes with some goof thick cycling socks to prevent blisters.
Conclusion
Mountain bikes are fun. As you start your riding experience, make sure that you adhere to what ewe have discussed. Own your cycling. Have fun!