[besthaticouldo]

hey,

just wanted to introduce myself. i just got a mtn bike yesterday. a specialized hard rock sport. i got it to do some light riding and trails. where i live there are some good trails to go on and some good places to ride. so i thought i should take advantage.

got the bike for super cheap, scoured CL for quite a while.

however now i am looking for some gear...helmet and things like that...

does anyone have some helmet suggestions?

is there any necessary gear that i absolutely HAVE to get?

thanks in advance, and i look forward to being a part of this community.

 

[hdparrish]

does anyone have some helmet suggestions?

One that fits properly. Everything else is window dressing.

is there any necessary gear that i absolutely HAVE to get?

In addition to the helmet, I'd recommend a pair of sunglasses. Not only will they keep the glare down, they'll keep the wind out of your eyes. Blades work best for me, but YMMV.

Others might recommend gloves; I prefer to ride without.

thanks in advance, and i look forward to being a part of this community.

Welcome to the board and to the sport. Warning: trail riding is addictive! :thumbsup:

 

[pamt]

One that fits properly. Everything else is window dressing.

In addition to the helmet, I'd recommend a pair of sunglasses. Not only will they keep the glare down, they'll keep the wind out of your eyes. Blades work best for me, but YMMV.

Others might recommend gloves; I prefer to ride without.

Welcome to the board and to the sport. Warning: trail riding is addictive! :thumbsup:

+1 for gloves. I to ride without but when your first getting started a good pair of padded gloves is a must for road or trail

 

[pamt]

Oh and welcome by the way were glad to have you. There are some real"sharpies" on here so your never far from help

 

[dundundata]

Welcome to the Specialized club! I'd go with a cheap Giro 1-for-all helmet, and get yourself some gloves. I also highly recommend some eye protection. I got a pair off of SafetyGlassesUSA.com, they don't have to be expensive. A water bottle, but more likely a camel-back for longer rides to keep hydrated (I'm talking about a backpack with a waterbag in it). Or just throw some more water bottles in a backpack you already own.

If you plan on going out in the trails or anywhere farther than around the block you'll need a spare tube (and a patch kit can't hurt), a multi-tool (or at least a couple allen wrenches and a tire lever), and a small bike pump. You don't want to have to end your ride and walk home just because you got a flat.

I also recommended something like a Sram Powerlink incase of a chain break. A good multi-tool will also have a chain breaker.

It's really not that much to bring with you, and believe me it's all necessary.

 

[besthaticouldo]

One that fits properly. Everything else is window dressing.

In addition to the helmet, I'd recommend a pair of sunglasses. Not only will they keep the glare down, they'll keep the wind out of your eyes. Blades work best for me, but YMMV.

Others might recommend gloves; I prefer to ride without.

Welcome to the board and to the sport. Warning: trail riding is addictive! :thumbsup:

thanks man. got a bell helmet last night that i liked and fit well. also i have a few sets of oakley glasses. both polarized and non.

i did get a set of gloves. as well.

i am definitely looking forward to going trail riding. thanks for the welcome.

Oh and welcome by the way were glad to have you. There are some real"sharpies" on here so your never far from help

thanks man! appreciate it.

Welcome to the Specialized club! I'd go with a cheap Giro 1-for-all helmet, and get yourself some gloves. I also highly recommend some eye protection. I got a pair off of SafetyGlassesUSA.com, they don't have to be expensive. A water bottle, but more likely a camel-back for longer rides to keep hydrated (I'm talking about a backpack with a waterbag in it). Or just throw some more water bottles in a backpack you already own.

If you plan on going out in the trails or anywhere farther than around the block you'll need a spare tube (and a patch kit can't hurt), a multi-tool (or at least a couple allen wrenches and a tire lever), and a small bike pump. You don't want to have to end your ride and walk home just because you got a flat.

I also recommended something like a Sram Powerlink incase of a chain break. A good multi-tool will also have a chain breaker.

It's really not that much to bring with you, and believe me it's all necessary.

i got a bottle for now, i will probably get a camelback sometime soon.

do you guys have some specific recommendations as far as gear? like backpacks? multitool? different tubes better then others? pump?

i was looking at the Topeak Alien II mutlitool, and then some tire levers as well.

thanks in advance!

 

[hdparrish]

do you guys have some specific recommendations as far as gear? like backpacks? multitool? different tubes better then others? pump?

Most of this stuff boils down to preference. However, I haven't noticed a great deal of difference in multitools, tubes or hand pumps.

Heck, I purchased a cheap Blackburn Mammoth handpump when I first started riding in 2006 and am still using it. It was the only pump I had until I finally bought a floor pump last month.

As for hydration packs, I got by with a clunky military surplus model for several seasons that had virtually no storage space. The bite valve leaked and the pack didn't fit/sit well, so I replaced it this offseason with a CamelBak Lobo that I purchased at Chainlove.com for $35. The Lobo has a tad more storage space and is night-and-day better in terms of "feeding" water.

The Lobo is perfect for my routine rides, but I'm also looking for something bigger for all-day treks or grocery runs. That's the thing with biking--there's always something on your wish list.

 

[jeffj]

Most of this stuff boils down to preference. However, I haven't noticed a great deal of difference in multitools, tubes or hand pumps.

Heck, I purchased a cheap Blackburn Mammoth handpump when I first started riding in 2006 and am still using it. It was the only pump I had until I finally bought a floor pump last month.

I have a couple of Blackburn Mammoth Mountain pumps I bought in the mid-90's that still work great. For the money, those cannot be beat.
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Somehow, I ended up with one of these multi-tools. I see they sell for $12.95 right now at Nashbar. I don't think you can do better for a multi-tool that has a decent chain breaker:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_128426_-1_202287_10000_202585
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I'd also recommend these tire levers:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PARK-BIKE-BICYC...932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adef76d2c

or these

http://cgi.ebay.com/PARK-TOOL-TL-4-...738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb58f27fa