Five must-haves to start your first mountain bike season
This year, there is a staggering number of new mountain bikers! You’ll need a few essential items to make your first outings memorable. Here’s a list of five must-haves.
1. Hydration pack
Mountain biking is demanding! Hard climbs are followed by exhilarating downhills over and over again over long distances. Exciting? For sure! Tiring? Definitely! A hydration pack will give you easy access to water all through your ride and on your breaks. Also, the hydration pack can carry your multi-tool, snacks and even a patch kit to repair a flat tire. They come in different sizes to suit your needs.
2. Patch kit to repair flat tires
Like any other cyclist, you are not immune to flat tires! Imagine if your first one happens while you are kilometers away from your car. This situation can easily ruin a perfectly good day!
If you don’t want to slow down your riding buddies, having your own patch kit is essential. If you want your epic ride to go as smoothly as possible, it’s imperative that you get a tire lever set, an emergency tube and a portable pump or Co2 cartridges.
A piece of advice? Check the tire pressure and adjust it if needed before you set off on your adventures to reduce the risks of a flat tire.
3. Bike shorts
The first rides are… painful! Other than the possibility of a couple of good wipeouts, the pressure from the bike seat can hurt. A good pair of bike shorts with a chamois is essential to make your outings all the more enjoyable. Especially at the beginning of the season.
With or without suspenders, the chamois of your bike shorts is there to absorb the vibration of your bike seat and bring maximum comfort. You’ll be able to enjoy many consecutive rides without too much pain.
4. Bike pedals and cleats
Just like road bikes, mountain bikes are sold without pedals. There are many styles of pedals available on the market to suit your budget and your needs: flat, clipless, plastic or aluminum the choice is yours! At this stage that you must make a decision if you want to be clipped to your pedals or not. This, in turn, will influence the type of cleats you’ll need.
On a mountain bike, flat sole shoes with two holes (SPD) or without are usually used. Shoes that are adapted to your pedals are game changers, you’ll have more confidence on your bike and exert less energy.
5. Protection
Sooner or later, you’ll fall! A helmet is definitely an essential part of your equipment but knee and elbow pads will avoid king size scratches. You should also invest in a pair of gloves, during hot summer days, your hand will sweat and slide on your handles. Gloves help keep your hands on the handles and give you better control over your bike.
