| The mountain biking industry is huge and growing | | | | bloody and further gripping of the handlebars will be |
| each year. The selection of bikes and accessories is | | | | painful. Gloves are essential to protect your hands |
| vast and one can spend thousands of dollars | | | | and should always be worn. |
| outfitting themselves with gear. For a beginner just | | | | Hydration - You are going to need to consume water |
| choosing the correct bike that meets their riding style | | | | regularly. Usually on the trail there is no place to buy |
| and budget can be confusing. | | | | it so carrying it with you is very important. As a |
| When it comes to the accessories there are some | | | | minimum you must buy a frame mounted bottle and |
| items that are equally important to purchase as is the | | | | cage. These are very cheap. If the budget allows |
| bike itself. A beginner on a budget needs to add the | | | | then buy a hydration backpack. These carry more |
| cost of several essential items into the purchase | | | | water and also allow for storage of other items like |
| price of the bike. There are accessories that are | | | | energy bars. |
| "nice to have" items and then there are "have to | | | | Tools - Regardless of how well your bike is |
| have" items. Following is a summary of the items that | | | | maintained it will encounter a breakdown on the trail |
| every beginner should purchase before hitting the | | | | at some point. Most likely it will be a flat tire or |
| trails. | | | | broken chain. Multi tools are available specifically for |
| The Helmet - This is the single most important | | | | performing repairs on the trail. There are several |
| accessory to purchase. Every mountain biker should | | | | ones and not all are the same. In addition to the |
| never get on their bike without wearing one. Not | | | | normal hex keys and drivers found on all of them |
| wearing one can result in a very serious injury. | | | | you should choose a tool that contains a chain break |
| Helmets are not very expensive but when it comes | | | | tool and tire levers. If not then you should buy these |
| to safety they are priceless. | | | | separately. Also you will need to have a tube repair |
| Eye Protection - Many beginners ignore this purchase | | | | kit and the necessary items to fix your chain. Ask |
| at first. When they get ready to hit the trail for the | | | | your dealer for the link repair items needed based on |
| first time is when the thought comes to mind to grab | | | | the chains manufacturer. You are also going to need |
| a pair of sunglasses. If the sunglasses are designed | | | | a frame mounted mini pump to refill flat tires. |
| for sport and feature shatterproof lenses they are | | | | First-Aid - Build a small first-aid kit and use a small |
| fine. But what if they are not or what if it is cloudy | | | | zip-lock bag for storage. A roll of gauze, tape, |
| and overcast? A mountain biker needs to have as a | | | | first-aid cream, and some band-aids should be |
| minimum one pair of clear or near clear safety | | | | included. If you have the room, include a small 6oz |
| glasses designed for sport. These will cover all | | | | squeeze bottle of hydrogen peroxide which will be |
| weather conditions, cloudy and sunny. They also | | | | great to clean the dirt out of scrapped up knees and |
| protect the eyes from branches, bugs, and other | | | | elbows. |
| objects. If the budget allows for a second pair then | | | | There are many other items that a new rider can be |
| go for a pair of sunglasses designed for sport as well. | | | | outfitted with but these items should be considered |
| Mountain Bike Gloves - At some point you are going | | | | essential. You will need to use each of these items |
| to crash and just about every time your hands are | | | | some day, that is a guarantee so don't be there |
| going to be in front of you taking the first impact. | | | | without them on the very first day. |
| Without proper gloves the result can be rather | | | | |