Mountain biking is a great way of experiencing nature. It is also a favourite pastime for people who are health-conscious and love to stay active. However, the group that enjoys mountain biking the most consists of people who love the adrenaline rush the activity offers. Whatever might be your reason to engage in mountain biking you must learn a few things before you go on your first trip.
As a beginner, you should first learn how to be safe throughout your journey through the hilly terrains. Safety in mountain biking can be achieved by developing the right riding skills and using appropriate accessories. This write-up informs readers about the mountain bicycle accessories you must have to stay safe when riding.
Mudguards
When going on a mountain biking trip, you must be prepared to ride on muddy, wet roads. Your chances of coming across such terrains will be higher during the winter months. Having mudguards in your kit can make life easier for you in such situations.
It’s common for mountain bikers to use fork-mounted mudguards. A fork-mounted mudguard is usually of modest size and is perfect for keeping the biker’s body dry. Other than that, it will also ensure that your goggles don’t get exposed to mud.
Helmet
If you are into mountain biking, you cannot leave your house without a helmet that fits you properly. It should be the first safety equipment every MTB enthusiast must invest in. A perfectly designed MTB helmet will protect the temporal and occipital region of your head, something the conventional bike helmets fail to do.
When going for downhill riding, make sure you are wearing a full-face MTB helmet. It will keep your mouth, chin and face protected even if you have a bad fall. A recent survey has revealed that wearing a helmet reduces one’s chances of suffering facial traumas and head injuries by 28 and 39% respectively.
These helmets are available in multiple sizes. If you want your MTB helmet to offer you maximum protection when riding, you must ensure it provides a snug fit. You should be able to tilt your head down without the helmet falling off even when it’s unclipped. When the helmet is clipped, the space between your chin and the strap should accommodate two fingers.
Shoes
You must wear the right pair of shoes when riding MTBs. Both your performance and bike control depend significantly on the kind of shoes you wear. Shoes designed for mountain biking are hard-wearing, stiff and rugged, which enable smoother transfer of power to the wheels and pedals.
Pedals
Depending on your preference, you can either use clip-in or flat pedals. Using clip-in pedals will let you exert more power using pedal strokes. Additionally, you will succeed in managing complex trail situations like steep climbs using pulling motion. The sturdy and wide structure of flat pedals allows riders to move on a robust platform. These pedals carry pins that help riders achieve a stronger shoe grip.
As the two pedal types have different applications, you must decide how you will ride before purchasing your pedals. Also, don’t ensure your pedal matches your shoes perfectly.
Clothing
Flexible and breathable clothing will make your mountain biking experience more enjoyable. Always buy reinforced clothing made using durable materials. These features ensure that your clothing will not rip even after bad falls.
Ideally, you must wear a breathable jersey that can accommodate protective padding. The jersey must be made of a material ideal for the climate you will be riding in. Your shorts, on the other hand, must have a robust fastening system and one or more zipper pockets. Do consider adding layers to your clothing when riding during the winter months.
Gloves
Mountain biking will require you to wear specially designed full-fingered gloves having protection throughout the top of your hand including the knuckles. The gloves you wear should enable a comfortable palm grip and offer a snug fit. These features will not allow them to interfere with your hand movements when riding. You must also consider the weather conditions of the region you will be riding in when choosing MTB gloves.
Glasses/Goggles
Wearing the right eye protection is another mandatory safety measure every mountain biker must take. When you ride through hilly terrains, you will often be on roads with debris and sticks lurking at your head level. Additionally, there will be dust resulting from the movement of adjacent MTBs.
The easiest way to keep your eyes protected when riding an MTB is by wearing high-quality protective glasses. You will get these glasses at any top store selling MTB accessories. MTB glasses are usually a combination of goggles and sunglasses. Unlike regular glasses, MTB glasses curve around the rider’s head and provide him/her with much-needed impact protection. You can wear them comfortably even when wearing the helmet.
Repair Kit
You must carry a basic repair kit whenever you engage in mountain biking. Some of the tools the kit must contain include an extra MTB tube, a quality multitool featuring hex key heads and screwdrivers, a couple of tyre pry bars, a mini air pump, etc. Always purchase the tools from a trusted store and don’t look for cheaper alternatives.
Hydration Packs
Mountain biking is a taxing activity. When riding your MTB, you will sweat profusely even during the winter months. As a result, you may struggle significantly if you don’t keep yourself well-hydrated. Not having hydration packs can leave you dehydrated, which can result in a massive drop in your energy levels and increase the chances of accidents.
Your hydration pack (you may use a hip pack or backpack) must contain enough water bottles, hydration tablets and sports hydration powders. You can use the same pack to carry some snacks, your first-aid kit and your repair kit.
Final Words
A reputable store selling cycling products will have all the above items in its collection. You will be spoilt for options when shopping for accessories like mudguards, MTB clothing, MTB tubes, helmets, etc. So, to ensure that you stay safe when riding your MTB, you must first find a trusted cycling store in your area.