My New Mountain Bike

[Giulianna23]

My husband was never into team sports, but he's long been an avid biker, road and mountain. If your son takes to it, he may very well have found a hobby to last a lifetime and one that could take him all over the States (and beyond). How cool is that?

Veryyyy cool.... thanks for the thoughts

I am not big into pads myself, never used them but a lot of people say they make them more confident. My skin is pretty sensitive and I don't want anything rubbing on it.

My big things other than gloves (full finger, even in the Texas summer for me) would be some padded shorts and a small Camelbak or similar item. Drinking is so important and it is hard to pull a bottle out a cage at first and then stopping a bunch gets old.

When we host our womens rides that is what we look for: gloves, helmet and adequate water. The reason I said full finger gloves is your hands are more exposed, brush often catches my fingers if I ride fingerless and those little cuts on the knuckles hurt! Plus they have a little more protection for the inevitable fall.

Yeah I was thinking about the pads but he is sensitive to his skin as well . Thanks for the general advice .. I am clueless about camelbak which one would you recommend?..any spec brand?

+1 on full-fingered gloves. Not only do they provide extra protection, but I find that they provide extra grip on the bars and brake levers when I'm a sweaty mess all over. I don't find them any warmer than fingerless gloves in the summer.

Thanks for the advice on the gloves...he sweats a lots on his hands. Any spec material to look for?



What about glasses?...he uses them should I get him sport Rx or will he be ok with his everyday glasses?

[Aggie_Ama]

I am not sure how old or big your son is but I assume he is a teen? I think the kids packs are for little kids.

My personal favorite pack is the Rogue, it isn't too bulky but can hold a decent amount of water with 70 oz and a few things in the pocket. I like it also because it isn't one that you will quickly outgrow when you move to longer rides. The classic just sacrifices some of the pockets but gives you the 70oz water capacity. I have only used the Camelbak brand myself so I can't really say if there is something better.

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recre...012-Rogue.aspx

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recre...2-Classic.aspx

[Giulianna23]

I am not sure how old or big your son is but I assume he is a teen? I think the kids packs are for little kids.

My personal favorite pack is the Rogue, it isn't too bulky but can hold a decent amount of water with 70 oz and a few things in the pocket. I like it also because it isn't one that you will quickly outgrow when you move to longer rides. The classic just sacrifices some of the pockets but gives you the 70oz water capacity. I have only used the Camelbak brand myself so I can't really say if there is something better.

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recre...012-Rogue.aspx

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recre...2-Classic.aspx

He is 15 years old. I will look into those.. I might end up getting one as well.. because of what you said it is hard and risky to reach for the bottle cage when mountain biking. I don't like the idea of having like a backpack because it makes me sweaty and hot but in this case it def worth it.


Thanks again!..

[indysteel]

I barely notice my Camelback when I'm mtbing. On the road, yes, because I'm in less of an upright position, but on the trails it doesn't bother me in the least. I'm sweaty enough as it is; the Camelback doesn't make me more so. It's so much easier to drink regularly and I have room to stuff food and other supplies. I use a women's version. I prefer one with both a chest and tummy strap.

ETA: This is the one I have. And it's on sale!

[Becky]

+1 to what Indy said.

[Catrin]

I agree with Indy, but I also wear a pack on the road. One thing about water bottles on the trails is they get dusty/dirty and can also bounce out of the cage.

[Becky]

One thing about water bottles on the trails is they get dusty/dirty and can also bounce out of the cage.

DH once had a bout of uh..."gastrointestinal distress" that we're fairly sure was caused by drinking from water bottles on trails that were used by horses

[sassygirl]

I have already been on it, to be able to get into the metro-parks off Drake road is the parks best idea yet

[Giulianna23]

Thanks every one for your inputs and advice...I am checking on those and I am be getting a pair of those camelbaks asap ..

BTW... I wanted to share a few pics of me ,my son and our bikes at the Washington Township Trail ...Sorry for the crappy cellphone pics.

[Catrin]

Congratulations on your new mountain bike - and it is great that you can ride with your son - that is seriously cool!