| So you went out and picked up a new mountain bike. | | | | And if you're riding anywhere near traffic you're |
| It was probably pretty overwhelming at first. There | | | | going to not only want to be but you're also going to |
| were so many designs to choose from, different | | | | want to be seen by drivers. Who hasn't suddenly |
| stores to shop at, different manufacturers to | | | | come up on a bike rider and found themselves |
| consider. You finally picked the bike you wanted and | | | | thinking, "He's lucky I saw him." Mountain bike lights |
| brought it home. You forgot something important, | | | | these day are made with cutting edge LED lamps so |
| though. There are some accessories you ought to | | | | they almost never need to be replaced and more |
| consider for your mountain bike and for you. | | | | and more are being made with rechargeable batteries |
| The first thing you should think about is safety. | | | | so you don't have to keep spending money on new |
| Safety accessories for mountain bike riders are | | | | batteries. There are also those classic models which |
| diverse and plentiful. A key ingredient for rider safety | | | | are powered by the wheels of the bike. You should |
| is the helmet. Many riders shun helmets, but no | | | | invest in lights for the front and the back of your |
| intelligent rider should be without one. Statistics | | | | bike to make sure you visible from every angle. |
| woefully back up the significance of helmets. Helmets | | | | Beyond safety accessories, there are plenty of other |
| save lives: it's that simple. It's not just your mortality | | | | items which will begin to be necessary as you get |
| you should be concerned with but also your | | | | into mountain bike riding. One such necessity will be a |
| long-term health. A serious head injury can leave you | | | | repair kit. What are you going to do if you get a flat |
| with a whole lifetime of health problems. Even a | | | | tire on a trail miles from the nearest road? This is |
| minor wreck can result in serious injuries if you hit | | | | when you'll wish you had a repair kit. Basic repair kits |
| your head and you're not wearing a helmet. Modern | | | | are cheap and will let you patch a tire, repair brakes, |
| mountain bike helmets are light and sleek and do a | | | | fix your derailleur, and other simple tasks. Along with |
| better job of protecting your head than their clunkier | | | | patching that tire you'll want to be able to inflate it |
| predecessors. In the past, riders looked down on | | | | again! A small pump which attaches to the bike frame |
| riders who wore helmets but in recent years reason | | | | is an excellent purchase. |
| has prevailed. More and more riders choose to wear | | | | Another good idea is either a water bottle or |
| helmets. Cost shouldn't be a factor as a good helmet | | | | backpack hydration system. When riding in the |
| can be acquired for around $30. If you want a top of | | | | summer heat you'll be thankful you brought some |
| the line model, be prepared to spend over $200. | | | | liquid refreshment with you. |
| Another important safety accessory for mountain | | | | This by no means an exhaustive list of mountain bike |
| bike riders are lights. If you're going to be riding at | | | | accessories. This just gives you an idea of the range |
| night you should have a light. Most jurisdictions require | | | | of products available. These are just the basic ones |
| them. Even if you're riding off-road, it's pretty | | | | you'll want. The more you ride your mountain bike |
| obvious that you're going to want a light for your | | | | the more you'll find the need for more accessories. |
| mountain bike. You want to see the trail, don't you? | | | | For every need there's a product. |