Taking up a new sport or a hobby can challenging at times. In most cases, some people feel uncertain as where to start. What’s more, it would be great if it were possible to become a master rock climber, kayaker, or mountain biker after one go and then call yourself a pro, but realistically these sports demand for a lot of patience, determination, time and equipment. If you are looking into mountain biking, here you will find a helping hand as we will cover the basics.

Buying a mountain bike will be the biggest investment that you will have to make if you choose to take up mountain biking. However, keep in mind that there are more expenses to consider other than just the bike, especially if you are running on a budget. Deciding on the best bike for you is extremely important and if you’re serious about pursuing this sport, you shouldn’t go too cheap as a decent, entry level mountain bike costs between $400 and $600.

Another thing to consider is bike size. You should definitely avoid ordering a mountain bike online before trying it out first. If you get the wrong size bike or a bike with an uncomfortable seat, you can put yourself in potential danger due to yourself and the bike being out of balance. If you are not sure which size to take even after trying out several bikes, consult a professional at the store.

Moreover, before making any big purchases, you should do some research and check if spare parts are easily obtainable. Your mountain bike might be pricey, but eventually something will need to be replaced. For your own safety, always try and use original parts as much as possible, they are of a higher quality and durability. You definitely do not want to be left stranded in the middle of nowhere due to fake parts not being up to the challenge. Rather invest a little more money and save yourself the worry.

As a beginner, you won’t need full suspension. So at first, consider getting a hard tail bike. This will make maneuvering and riding up and down hills much easier. Essentially mountain biking is about bursting power, but first master the basics such as weight distribution, pedal work, cornering, braking, jumping and switchbacks before you wildly speed down mountain trails. When you get to the point where you’re comfortable to race on uneven surfaces with sharp turns then you should definitely upgrade to full suspension.

When it comes to tires, there is no single perfect recommendation. The size of the tires and their durability are among the things you should consult a professional about before buying your bike, as terrain and your weight are also decided factors to consider. Do remember that wider tires are recommended to beginners as they offer much more stability.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the pedals as the most convenient ones for beginners are flat pedals that will ensure better performance. As you gain skills and become more advanced, you can change to clip-less pedals.

Investing in additional mountain biking equipment is definitely a necessity, especially when it involves your comfort and safety.  

The first thing you should look into is a helmet. It may seem like it’s a piece of cake to choose a helmet, but it can be a bit more complex than you imagine. What you need to ask yourself s whether you need a normal helmet or a full face one. If you are planning to go mountain biking on milder terrain offering no technical mountain descents, a normal helmet would be sufficient. However, if your intention is to ride down narrow, rough and steep terrain then a full face helmet is advisable. If you’re trying to save a bit of money, you could also consider going for a modular helmet. Here you can take off the jaw protection part. Just remember that a full face helmet offers much more protection.

When buying gloves you have dealer’s choice. There are a wide variety of types and brands, suited for all types of riders and occasions. If you find yourself on a trail in a forest-like setting, a pair of ling fingered MTB gloves will come in handy, no pun intended, which will help to protect your hands and fingers from being scratched by branches of from injuries incurred by falling. Which we all know is part of the game!

So you’ve covered the helmet and gloves, next thing to consider is a proper backpack that you can comfortably take with you when you’re on a trail that will carry all your emergency essentials, but won’t throw off your balance or aerodynamics. When choosing a backpack, you need to make sure it has small to moderate water storage as well as enough pockets for things such as a wheel pump, an extra tube, keys, chain lube and everything else you decide to take with you. Don’t forget that you need to get small but bright headlight in case it gets dark. Additionally, your backpack should be big enough for a water repellent jacket in case it starts raining.

When you go on longer trails, you need to pay attention not only to the amount of water, food and emergency biking equipment you take with, but also to first aid and survival kits. Even though nobody wants to end up face down in the ground or with bloody wounds, accidents do happen so it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is mountain biking after all. A basic first aid kit with some band-aids, alcohol disinfectant liquid soap, sterile gauze pads, ibuprofen and leukotape should be enough to patch up the basics. In addition, depending on where you go mountain biking, you might need some sunscreen and a lip balm in case you go riding in unforgiving environments. 

However, if you are stuck in the woods at night, you might need much more than just a basic first aid kit. There are a lot of those kits that contain fire starting and signal-the-rescuers elements which, you will agree, can be extremely useful in unforeseen situations. Also something that is rarely thought about, but sorely missed when you need it, is bush craft knives. These can truly be lifesavers when you’re stuck. Luckily these knives are small and durable and in case you lack basic wilderness survival skills, you might find that having a knife should be on the list of essentials.

Finally, this might sound silly but don’t forget to bring your phone with you as it will be of great help in case of emergency. Luckily, we don’t have to worry about not having reception since major mountain biking trails are not so remote and secluded. It is a good idea to bring a power bank with you as well, especially if you are going on longer trails.

One thing is certain, you will need to invest a lot of time in order to master basic moves and gain the necessary skills for this extreme sport. However, if you are motivated and a true outdoors enthusiast, mastering mountain biking should be a pleasure as you, spending your time outdoors among beautiful views, working on your fitness and learning new skills. Just prepare yourself for the definite probability of your first fall. It comes with the territory. Do not to give up. Get back on your bike and keep going. You’ll get there in the end!