Just got a mountain bike! Now what?

[SalsaMTB]

Now, on to your questions....

For water, I also use a hydration pack. I find it just easier to deal with. I find reaching down on tight single track difficult and it's easier to put my spare tube, tools, etc in. When I first used one, it caused a back ache and was unconfortable, but after adjusting it some, I forget it's there. Also, the bottle does get dirty, but if you don't put your mouth on it and just squeeze the water out, it isn't bad.

For night riding, to keep it short and simple, I would recommend a 10W halogen bulb. They aren't too expensive and provide adequate lighting. 5W halogen won't really be enough light, a HID is awesome, but expensive. I currently use a NiteRider Evolution and it works well, I have never felt I needed more light. My husband is using the CatEye DoubleShot and is very happy with it's performance.

I cringe when people talk about hosing down their bike. I honestly never do. I let the mud dry on then just wipe it off with a rag. I'll use bike cleaner and rag to clean the frame and then lube up the drive train. If you must hose down your bike, just don't use pressure and I would recommend lubing up the cables afterward. We have customers that neglect their cables after hosing off the bike after every ride and their bikes look clean but the cables are all rusted in a few months. Just drip a little lube on the cables near the housing and shift or squeeze the brakes to work it in.

I only carry one tube. I rarely get a flat. Actually, I get more flats on the road than the trail.

Play around with saddle height and see what you like. I keep both road and off road bike at the same height.

[Pebble]

I hose my bike after a muddy ride while the mud is still fresh and comes off easily, try not to have it pressurized though.

When I do a proper wash I use a bucket of soapy water, wet it with a hose first and also rinse the soapy water off with the hose after and then wipe it down well, lube the chain etc.

Job done most often is probably lubing and cleaning the chain - if you don't have already get a sram quicklink or something like that, means you can remove your chain easily for cleaning. Although since I started using Prolink lube I've found that I don't need to take the chain off. Wax based lubes are better in that way but you may need to lube it more often than if you use a wet lube like Finishline. You'll figure out what works best for you - but it will get dirtier than the road bike.

I use a camelback mule, since getting it would never go back to bottles. Fits all my emrgency spare typre & tools etc - and I take it even on 1hr rides. Main reasons is that it can be tricky to grab a bottle & drink while riding and yes also the fact that it can get dusty muddy etc.

Get yourself a good pair of glove if you don't have them already.

I don't do night riding so can't help there. Saddle height will depend on how technical your trails get - for steep dh types and lots of rocks etc you will find it's better to run it a bit lower than you would on the road bike (or in some cases alot lower) but yeah just experiment, it's the best way to figure it out.

That's about it - oh and for trails you'll probably want to run lower pressure in your tires, I usually run the lowest specified number on the tire sidewall (about 35psi) but depends on your weight too as to what you can get away with. Lower pressure equals better grip, higher pressure probably gives better rolling resistance, so depends on your trials too.

[bcipam]

Welcome to MTB riding!

1) Camelbaks are essential. It helps you carry more water and aso makes it easier for you to drink. With rough trails it's sometimes hard to keep a bottle in a cage. Plus with MTB riding I find I have to carry tools and tubes,etc. The Camelbak gives me the space. Also get in the habit of carrying first aid. Not that you'll need it but just in case. Seems like I always do. I good size Camelbak is the MULE.

2) Cleaning the bike - I never ever use water. Learned a lesson years ago when I had to rebuild a bike as the bottom bracket got all messed up from hosing the bike with water. I now allow the mud to dry an then just brush/wipe it off. I lube the chain (properly and patiently) after each ride so it stays clean. It is a MTBike so doesn't have to be sparkly clean for every ride but the drivechain should be wiped down before each ride to prevent mechanical problems and wear and tear. Invest in Pro-Link and good Park Cleaning brushes. A Park stand is also wonderful to have.

3)Lights - invest in a good one - no way around that. Good lights mean good visibility. End of sentence.

4) What to carry" at least one inner tube (but I usually have 2), changing irons, fuel (such as GU, power bar etc), a small amt of lube, FIRST AID, ID, a tool kit (small portable one - can't tell you how often I've needed to make repairs on the trail), tweezers (to take out thorns).

5) Fit is kindof personal. I usually replace the seat post clamp with an adjustable one (usually a Hope - it's nice and blingy). The rule is to lower your seat post when descending. I usually don't. I tend to ride with my seat lower than I would normally if on the road. Since you are riding a hardtail, you will be getting off and back from the saddle while descending so make sure the saddle is low enough so you can clear it.

6) Get out and ride. Start easy in your comfort level and then start adding skills, such as rock gardens, logs, obstrucles etc. I used to set up a little training course to practice. I think up your way there are lots of training offered. Just keep your eyes peeled.

Have fun!!! Nothing like riding a beautiful trail!

PS: Good MTB gloves are the WTB Mojaves...

[tattiefritter]

Hi, welcome to the rough stuff.

Another vote for Camelbaks here for all the reasons above as well as the fact that on rough descents your bottle can part company from the cage (and you will try and look back at it and almost crash!, best avoided). The size of Camelbak you require should be dictated by how long your ride is and weather conditions, closeness to civilisation etc - I use a HAWG, a Mule is just pointless for me especially at this time of year. On weekend rides I'll carry 3 litres of water (100 oz) and a lot of stuff. We ride in the middle of nowhere for up to 6 hours so need to be self sufficient.

As you've never used a Camelbak before, build up the amount of water and gubbins you carry as your back will not be used to it.

Don't see any problem with hosing a bike off, we do it all the time but then it is very very rare we come back from a ride, even in the summer, and the bike doesn't need a good clean. My BF is a good bike mechanic so keeps everything running well.

As alluded to above my carried kit is quite comprehensive - built up over time from experiencing things going wrong:

Warm waterproof in winter or windproof in summer
Gillet
Couple of buffs
Spare gloves
Two spare tubes, puncture repair kit and tyre levers
Spare chain links/powerlink
Multitool
Food (lots)
Emergency Gels
Phone
Change for payphone
Mech hanger for my Titus (My On One is steel and can be bent back)
Spare brake pads
Spare bearings for my crank brothers pedals.

I keep my spare clothing in a dry bag.

Kit should be built up over time but if your only popping out for an hour or so on trails near civilisation then you probably won't need as much. A tool and some tubes I would say are essential.


I have all my bike saddles at the same height and rarely put it down but I have narrow sitbones and ride a quite narrow saddle (a men's flite) therefore can get off the back easily enough - if you have a wider saddle it gets more difficult.

I use a HID for off road night riding (and commuting), its very bright and has a long burn time - 5 hours so I don't have to worry about it cutting out as our longest night ride is about 2.5 hours.

Most of all as bcipam said - get out and ride, its the only way to discover what you really need.

I'm always amazed at how gear heavy mountain biking is, I tend to forget as I've accumulated mine over a few years. My list of what would be essential for a newbie mountain biker coming our with us is quite long, mainly due to the UKs changeable weather!

[rocknrollgirl]

I agree with most all that has been said, except, no hose....brush....

And lights, gotta have good ones. Gotta. We got NightRider trail Rats. One for the helmet and one for the bars. DH got'em on ebay. Less that 1/2 price. He is the man!

Other than that....have fun, and keep us posted.

Oh and I ride my seat lower on both mt bikes than I do on my road bike....

[DirtDiva]

I agree with most all that has been said, except, no hose....brush....

If you can get away without using the hose, it's certainly better, but some kinds of mud (like everything I've ever encountered in the UK) require either a whole lot of water and elbow grease or a jackhammer to get off.

[Aint Doody]

OK--I'm gonna pick this thread back up. I have a new mt. bike, too. Been a road rider. My lbs suggested that I wait before putting clipless pedals on the bike. What do y'all think? I'm certainly used to clipless.