Go To Bike Shop For Best Advice
Hopping onto a mountain bike and getting out into the great outdoors is a thrilling way to spend the day. As with any other type of outdoor sport, the things you take along can make a big difference in your overall experience. With that in mind, here are some thoughts on mountain bike equipment.
It may sound obvious, but the most important piece of equipment is the mountain bike itself. The thing is that a lot of people don’t take enough time when buying a bike. Some people go for the cheapest bike they can find and buy it right off the shelf; without ever even sitting on it to see how it feels. Then there are some people who buy the most expensive bike possible, but only so they can show it off as a status symbol. Of course there’s a chance that either bike may suit each buyer’s purposes, but both buyers are going about it the wrong way.
Going to a bike shop is a good start. You should go somewhere that has knowledgeable staff. A staff that knows what they’re doing can answer your questions and make sure you get the best bike for you. Feel free to ask questions, as you are investing in your most important piece of mountain bike equipment.
Getting a helmet is vital. Some guys might think wearing a helmet makes them unmanly, but even if that were true, would you rather be macho or alive? Anybody who has done any amount of mountain biking knows how often spills, crashes and falls happen. It’s not a matter of if you will fall, but how often you will fall. A mountain biking helmet is one piece of equipment you shouldn’t scrimp on–it just may save you from serious injury or death.
After a helmet, gloves are the most important piece of equipment. A quality pair of mountain biking gloves will protect your hands from abrasions and other injuries when you fall. Another benefit of the gloves is that they will help you to keep a solid grip on your handlebars. Due to the nature of mountain biking, it could be disastrous if your hands slipped–even a little–while you were in a precarious spot.
Eye protection is also a good piece of mountain bike equipment to invest in. You are going to be outside when biking, and the trails are covered with all kinds of things you don’t want to get in your eyes; including rocks, dirt, dust and other kinds of debris. If you wear sunglasses you won’t have to worry about the glare of the sun, especially when it is low in the sky; allowing you to enjoy more time on the trail.
The final piece of mountain bike equipment we’ll talk about (though not the last one you should consider getting, as this is not a complete list) are shoes. You can wear any kind of outdoor shoe when biking, however, a lot of riders prefer to get shoes made specifically for mountain biking. These shoes attach to the pedals, allowing you to get more power with each stroke.