Gear tips

[Rhodent]

Evening all... So hopefully in the next few weeks I will be taking the plunge and (finally) getting my hands on a mountain bike.

 

My question is around all the extras... What is needed, what isn't?? What needs to be in the toolbox at home, and what needs to be on every ride?

 

Not just tools but gear as well... Any advice is welcome!

[BaGearA]

HELMET (first of ALL)

Multi tool

chain breaker 

bottle / camel back

pump (track and small to carry) 

 

shoes and cleats optional / tekkies work fine 

 

That should start you off good and keep up for a year or more after that you will probably start looking at more intensive gear

 

for example dropper posts 

tubeless

better wheels

fork/shock upgrades

 

But start out and just enjoy what you have

[Tony datoy]

Add MTB shorts

[Ferro]

Not essential but what has proven very helpful to me is a Smart link/Powerlink for the speed chain you are running. One pair for you and a spare to help a trail buddy out. If you can fix a chain without it though then forget i mentioned it.

[Riaan H]

Hey, welcome !

 

I would say the following are neccesities:

Helmet

Gloves

Either proper baggies or decent lycra shorts (a comfortable ride is a good one)

Pump,patches and tyre levers if you run tubes, otherwise tyre levers, 2 bombs + adapter

Multitool with chainbreaker and quick-links

 

 

Proper flat pedals are a nice upgrade too, the Giant ones are under R 400 and will make so. much more confident and help you learn good technique

 

That should get you riding without issue, the rest can come over time if you feel you need it. I carry a lot of stuff in my Camelbak, but many ride with less

 

Enjoy

[V12man]

1 - Helmet

 

2 - Skills course

 

3 - everything else....

 

 

in that order....

[Thomo]

Most essentials already covered.

Shock pump if your bike has air suspension.

Some bad weather clothing items may be useful as winter approaches.

[alleyne]

Tubeless setup if it's not done already. Nothing sucks the joy out of cycling like punctures!

[HowardSteele]

On the bike Tube carry a spare tube even if you riding tubeless...or R60 to buy a tube off someone...lights high vis and in winter big light for vision also winter a crud catcher

or be like the cool set and don't use as it clutters your bike.

 

Build your tool box up gradually as your repairing skills improve so a nice set of Allen keys..a set of hex ...a chain breaker a spoke spanner and get a few spare spokes and cables .These things always break on weekends when the LBS is closed.

With all the yu-tube DIY there's plenty of online guidance 

[RocknRolla]

Positive attitude, you will at some stage think "WTF did I get myself into?"

Just focus on the sense of achievement you will feel as you get fitter, stronger and more competent on the bike.

 

But I have to agree with V12man.

 

Before you get too far down the rabbit hole of bad habits, go on a skills course and the rest can follow later.

[cfcjim]

I'll reiterate gloves, people often don't realise how important they are.

 

When you crash, whether it's an OTBI or a front end wash out (you will crash by the way) your hands generally get involved, it's a natural reaction.

 

Gloves will help so much and gel inserts help with the bumpy/shuddery stuff and reduce blistering.

 

I shudder when I see people out riding without hand protection as it's such a (relatively) small expense but so worth it.

 

You'll get a weird tan but C'est la vie sur le vélo.

[Rhodent]

Thanks Guys... awesome advice so far.

 

I have quite an extensive tool box from the road side of things, but will obviously add the extras over time.

 

As skills course is a no brainer as far as i'm concerned... managed to get through 10 years of being a roadie with only one serious crash - i fully expect this to change once i hit the dirt!

 

Good call on the gloves, on the road i dont use so may not have thought of that one!

 

Am i going to completely flamed for wearing my road kit on the trails or do i need to fork out there as well?

 

I know this is being debated (heatedly) elsewhere on here, but what is actually best - cleats or takkies with flat pedals?

[Sarge]

Hi Rhodent,

Wear what ever you feel comfortable in, everybody else does.

Just do what ever you want as long as you are enjoying the outing. Riding dirt is a lot more casual than tar.

Sarge

[JJ]

If you are going to do any riding other than on the tar, tubeless would be an essential. Also getting a proper setup done.

 

Tubeless

Multi tool

Track pump

Small hand pump/ Co2

Chainlink

Valve core

Plugs

Bottles/ camelbak

Spare tube

Saddle bag

[CAAD4]

Don't eat a curry the night before a long winter ride, in thermal bibs....

[Ferro]

and don't forget your trail permit