Just got a mountain bike! Now what?

[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.

[SalsaMTB]

I would go straight to clipless. If you're used to them already, it shouldn't be too tough. You might fall a couple times, but you'll be fine. Just be sure to start on a beginner trail!

The only difference between road and off road with clipless is the amount of time to unclip. Normally on the road you have some time to unclip, you can think about it, for off road though you have more moments where it's just instinct. If you're used to your pedals though and it's intuitive for you to twist your ankle to get out, I don't think you'll have any problems.

[emily_in_nc]

I agree with SalsaMTB. I too had been riding on the road with clipless pedals for years before starting to mountain bike last summer. I started out with clipless on my mtb and did fine with them. I did have a little trouble clipping in on the second foot on rough trails, but after switching from Eggbeater Candies to Speedplay Frogs, I no longer have that problem. There have been a couple of times when I started to fall and *almost* couldn't clip out in time, but I've always managed to. The other falls I've taken were so quick that I couldn't have put a foot down to break my fall even with flat pedals. Clipless will give you a lot more leverage on the climbs, so I wouldn't bother going any other way since you're already used to them; they'll feel second nature to you.

Emily