Essential MTB equipment?!

maskofsanity

Hey,

Looking to start mountain biking after 6 or so years of road cycling but need to decide if I have the disposable income (don't even have a MTB yet!). What equipment is essential for enjoyable mountain biking (local trails to start with)? Is lycra a suitable choice of clothing or a massive social taboo?! Any advice regarding this would be gratefully received!!

Cheers,

MoS.

njee20

Everything you wear on the road, with some MTB shoes and some decent gloves.

Nothing else different needed.

m00nbadger

I've just got back into it after 12 or so years not riding a bike

got a set of gloves and a helmet. they're all I'd say were essentials

no 'bike' specific clothing - got some comfy shorts I ride in with any old tee. with it getting colder though might pickup something to keep me a bit warmer or start wearing a fleece I have

get riding and pickup other stuff as and when you want/need, that's the easiest option

stubs

Unlike road riding there are no rules in MTBiking wear what you want. I usually wear a £10 Karrimor running top £25 baggy shorts from the bargain bin at Leisure Lakes and a pair of 7 year old held together with Evostick and gaffer tape Specialized shoes.

The Rookie

My favoured top is a motorcross top I picked up at a charity shop (brand new), its designed to be worn over almost anything so I dress underneath to the warmth required and it's tough as old boots, great for round my way where brambles at just over bar height are a frequent occurrence. I wear it over baggies which are over padded shorts (you can just wear your roadie shorts).

While baggies are not necessary on many rides, if you have any brambles then lycra can get ripped up pretty quick, I have some really cheap ones (used off ebay actually womens but you can't tell any difference and they fit just fine) for dry casual rides, I have some better ones for when needed (like when it's piddling down!).

WindyG

As above no stupid rules in MTBikng, wear what you are comfortable with not what people think you should wear, I'll wear lycra bib shorts most of the time but depending on weather and location I'll happily stick on some baggies.

rockmonkeysc

Lycra is fine as long as it's not pro team road kit!

kajjal

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Lycra is fine as long as it's not pro team road kit!

Even better if we don't have to see pictures of it

For MTBing I wear baggy shorts as they are harder wearing. On road I am mid life crisis lycra man as it is more comfortable.

kajjal

Another handy thing is the Aldi bike tool kit for £20. They are out now and it is packed full of useful tools. Not sure how hard wearing they are but good selection.

maskofsanity

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I can't use that as an excuse to not get a fourth bike then... (N+1 is a cruel mistress!) Now I just need to decide on the bike!!

Do you use bladders rather than bottles? I drink a lot on the road bike and presumably bottle cages and trails don't mix!

Cheers,

MoS

cube1961

And ...... A pocket first aid kit ! Always keep one in my hydro pack along with a multi tool

rockmonkeysc

Bottle cages are fine, just get a good one. A camelbak is handy for carrying tools and spare tubes etc.

cooldad

Bottle cages are fine until you have an OTB moment and the bottle falls out and whacks you on the head.

rockmonkeysc

cooldad wrote:

Bottle cages are fine until you have an OTB moment and the bottle falls out and whacks you on the head.

Wear a helmet then.

cooldad

RockmonkeySC wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Bottle cages are fine until you have an OTB moment and the bottle falls out and whacks you on the head.

Wear a helmet then.

OK, until the bottle whacks you on the helmet then.
I do have one one most bikes for shorter local rides.
And I try to keep OTB moments down to one per ride.

WindyG

I had a OTB moment last week trying to put a bottle in the cage as I hit a patch of sand and the bike stalled....I didn't!

njee20

I always use bottles. Have a hydration pack, but just don't like using it. Can't say I've ever been hit by a bottle.

mcnultycop

Sheep crap on the bottle puts me off using one; I stick with a hydration pack.

cooldad

njee20 wrote:

I always use bottles. Have a hydration pack, but just don't like using it. Can't say I've ever been hit by a bottle.

TBH it only happened once, but as this is the internet I thought random generalisation was required.

njee20

mcnultycop wrote:

Sheep crap on the bottle puts me off using one.

That has also never been an issue.

rockmonkeysc

njee20 wrote:

mcnultycop wrote:

Sheep crap on the bottle puts me off using one.

That has also never been an issue.

It is around here. I had to ride home from work with no water for the last 12 miles because of a large dollop of cow turd on my bottle. Not nice on a hot day.
Water bottles are very #enduro now though.

Myster101

Buy a small hydration pack (around £20) then you can stick in a spare tube, first aid kit, multi tool, puncture kit (in case the spare tube punctures!), pump etc etc....just makes it easier.

Wear what ever you feel comfortable in.