[OHThiker]

Ok here they go:

How important are biking shoes? Can I just wear my sneakers for a while?

Aside from a helment what other pads do you guys use? Some of that stuff (knee pads, shin guards...) looks like it would slow you down on up hills.

How do you guys store your camera to keep it from getting smashed when you wreck?

Goggles or shades?

Also any suggestions on on helments would be great. Keep in mind my budget will be shot once I get the bike out of lay a way. Thanks to everyone on the board who helps out us new guys. Good karma your way fellas.:aureola:

 

[perttime]

If you are using flat pedals (not "clipless") you can use any shoes, BUT stiff soles are good: flexy shoes make my feet hurt and some power is lost too.

What protection you wear depends on what you are doing. Right now I just use a cross country style helmet and gloves. If you expect to go fast among the rocks or get a lot of air, something more is a good idea.

What camera... My phone has a camera but it is not real good. The phone stays in my waist bag or back pack.

Regular prescription glasses (plastic lenses).

A helmet needs to fit your head. I recommend "try before you buy".
What sort of a helmet you buy depends on what you are going to do. High speed, rocks, lots of air might call for more than a XC style lid.

 

[formica]

1. even a skate type shoe will help you stick to your pedals better than a sneaker.

2. some folks wear arm/leg armor. Depends on the style of riding, how fearless you are, how much you crash, whether you think you need protection when you are trying something new.

3. I have a pocket size digicam that I keep in a neoprene case in my camelback

4. googles are popular with the downhill crowd on dusty trails. Otherwide, shades or safety glasses.

5. helmets, get one that fits.

 

[OHThiker]

I thought I'd save some money and buy the helment from REI. One of the adjustable type. They have a fitting guide to help out as well. The great thing about REI is they will take back just about anything or swap it. Anyone have any experiance with this type of purchase? Do the adjustables work ok or do I just need to shell out some $$$ at the bike shop?

Oh yeah as far as the extra protection goes I'll be riding mostly in the Ozarks very rocky.

 

[MSU_Grad_121]

As far as I know, all bike helmets feature some adjustment, so I'm not real clear on what you mean by an "adjustable helmet." Anyway, as long as the helmet meets CPSC specs, you should be alright (it should say so on the packaging...if it doesn't, don't assume it meets the regs).

You can use whatever shoes you want if you're using flat pedals, but a stickier-soled shoe is gonna be better for you, and eventually, a "clipless" design pedal and shoe is gonna be better yet.

The pads you see most guys wearing (quite literally "body armor") are most often used in downhill racing (ride the chair lift up, race back down, hence no pedaling uphill). I personally haven't seen anyone on the trail with more than gloves, glasses, helmet and from time to time knee/elbow guards. And there was one guy who wore a boxer's mouthpiece. How he drank from his Camelbak is beyond me.

As for the camera, I usually carry mine in my Camelbak, assuming I feel like or remember to take it. True, it might get wrecked when you brodie, but them's the chances you take on the trail.

I'd look into glasses instead of goggles for anything other than downhill riding. I recommend a pair that comes with interchangable lenses for different types of weather conditions (smoke for sunny days, yellow for overcast days, clear for deep-woods and night riding). Tifosis are nice, and relatively inexpensive, but there's always Adidas and Oakley if you've got the bucks.

Best of luck and keep us posted!

Ross

 

[wwing49]

Helmet: Bell Slant

Its about 50 bucks, comes in different colors, and one size fits all (And fits all very good). I got mine and I love it.

 

[freeeradical]

what am i really riding

ok, im just starting mtb I've been in the bmx seen for a long time and now im lookin at mtb and have been riding the gt here at the house it has no suspension(which blows) but the bike is the perfect size for me.Here lies my question what do i measure to figure out the size my bike is to corospond with the sizes on the net. (ex 17 18 19 20 also S M L XL)

Also, is there an advantage to the mountian bike helment aposed to my skull cap style helmet i use for bmx.

Im wondering if someone will give me a litle crash cource on the different shifters/derailers

 

[perttime]

what do i measure to figure out the size my bike is to corospond with the sizes on the net.

In most cases the horizontal or "effective" top tube length is the most relevant measurement.
http://www.yeticycles.com/Bikes/BikesDJ.cfm#Geo

Manufactureres have a number of different ways to measure their frames: seat tube center-to-center (BB center to top tube center), seat tube center to top. Some measure the top tube center to center.

is there an advantage to the mountian bike helment aposed to my skull cap style helmet i use for bmx.

Better ventilation (can be pretty important on longer rides in warm weather), style. Your BMX helmet may give better protection.

Then there are the full-face helmets that are the ultimate in protection but weight and ventilation are not so great.

Im wondering if someone will give me a litle crash cource on the different shifters/derailers

Shimano:
Deore: it works
LX: better
XT: great for us mere mortals
XTR: lightest and smoothest, and it shows in the cost.

Hone: the "tough LX"
Saint: better than Hone

SRAM
X-7 pretty good
X-9 real good
X-0 (see Shimano XTR)