Getting an MTB, what else do I need?

Getting an MTB, what else do I need?

Author
Discussion

Craikeybaby

Original Poster:

10,369 posts

224 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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What essential kit do I need for local rides and the odd trail centre visit? I'm going to order this bike, which doesn't have pedals, so they've been added to the list. I assume will need some sort of pump and spare inner tubes etc too but are there any other essential that a cycling newbie should get?

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Helmet
Pump/repair/tube
multitool
hydration
Decent clothes
gloves
shades

SlidingSideways

1,345 posts

231 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Some lights might be handy if you plan on riding late or early at this time of year.

P-Jay

10,551 posts

190 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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For pedals, if you don't want to spend mega-money have a look on Superstar and their El-Plastico pedals, I have the same ones although under a different brand - I bought them as a 'get me by' that was 18 months ago and they're brilliant.

As for the rest.

Helmet and Gloves

Hydration pack with multi-tool, pump, spare tube, tyres levers as a minimum - you can substitute the spare tube for self-adhesive patches if you like, but I wouldn't.

With the bike, get the sag and rebound right on the fork, remove all the H&S stuff if you don't plan on riding it on the road and remember than one of the pedals is reverse-thread.

I'd also recommended a track pump (Tesco have usable robust ones for £15) and something like this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/x-tools-bike-to...

Used in conjunction with YouTube you'll be able to fix 90% of stuff yourself, it'll save you money, but more importantly it'll give you the skills to keep yourself going, because they never break in the garage, but 10kms from the centre in the pissing rain.

Craikeybaby

Original Poster:

10,369 posts

224 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Thanks all! I can see this getting expensive, glad I managed to find a bike under budget.

cailean

917 posts

172 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Also new here to MTB'ing. Do most people just carry a spare tube instead of puncture repair kit? Makes sense.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

208 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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cailean said:
Also new here to MTB'ing. Do most people just carry a spare tube instead of puncture repair kit? Makes sense.
Both. But the tube gets used first.

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Definitely good to carry a spare tube (at least one) AND a puncture repair kit, or instant patches.

I usually repair the tube on the spot, if there's enough light and I can find the puncture without the aid of a bowl of water. If it's dark, cold, or I cannot spot the hole, I'll sling the new tube on there, and repair the punctured one at home. I don't hold with buying new tubes left right and centre. The tube in my rear tyre (MTB) now has ten patches on it, and it'll only get replaced if there's a tear, or a puncture too close to an existing patch.

As others have said, off road essentials (IMHO) are:

Helmet
Gloves
Glasses

Spare Inner Tube
Puncture Repair Kit
Pump

Multi Tool
Chain Tool
Spare 'Quick Links' (to repair a broken chain)

Make sure all of the above are appropriate for the components fitted to your bike, and that you have at least a vague idea of how to use them properly. Then add a cage and water bottle or a hydration bladder, and whatever clothing suits the weather.

Gren

1,947 posts

251 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Gizmoish said:
cailean said:
Also new here to MTB'ing. Do most people just carry a spare tube instead of puncture repair kit? Makes sense.
Both. But the tube gets used first.
Exactly this. Use the tube first and if you want to save cash fix the old tube when you get home. Patching tubes on the trail is a pain in the arse.

Craikeybaby

Original Poster:

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
How do I know what tubes to buy? There are more choices than just size!

I've already got canelbak and padded shorts from previous cycling trips, but they were always on hire bikes, so didn't need to worry about the bike.

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Craikeybaby said:
How do I know what tubes to buy? There are more choices than just size!

I've already got canelbak and padded shorts from previous cycling trips, but they were always on hire bikes, so didn't need to worry about the bike.
1. Valve type...


(There are other types, but you'll almost never see them.)

2. Tyre size...

inner tubes usually span a variety of tyre sizes, grab one which has a range that covers your tyre size

3. Valve length...

not usually an issue with MTB tubes, more for deeper 'aero' road rims

At a pinch, you can use a Presta type tube where a Schraeder ought to go, but unless you drill the hole in the rim bigger, it won't work the other way. Alternatively, nip along to a decent local shop, point at the wheels and grunt "tubes, for them" and the gadgy behind the counter ought to get you the right ones... wink

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

148 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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I've stuck flataway tape on my tyres & not had a flat since, despite riding on heavily flinted trails on the south downs. I consider that to be the best money I've spent on my bike.

Craikeybaby

Original Poster:

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Bike ordered! I was going to wait until I get back to the UK, but figured that the £15 off code from Chain Reaction would pay for a multi tool.

yellowjack said:
1. Valve type...


(There are other types, but you'll almost never see them.)

2. Tyre size...

inner tubes usually span a variety of tyre sizes, grab one which has a range that covers your tyre size

3. Valve length...

not usually an issue with MTB tubes, more for deeper 'aero' road rims

At a pinch, you can use a Presta type tube where a Schraeder ought to go, but unless you drill the hole in the rim bigger, it won't work the other way. Alternatively, nip along to a decent local shop, point at the wheels and grunt "tubes, for them" and the gadgy behind the counter ought to get you the right ones... wink
Thanks for clearing that up, I'm sure with this knowledge I'll be able to figure it out once the bike arrives. Failing that, I'll need to visit the local shop to buy a helmet (and no doubt some other stuff), so will pick some tubes up then.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Justin Cyder said:
I've stuck flataway tape on my tyres & not had a flat since, despite riding on heavily flinted trails on the south downs. I consider that to be the best money I've spent on my bike.
Glad it's working for you Justin smile

If you change tyres run a central bead or blobs of superglue on the tyre and stick the used flataway tape on that wink


Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

148 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
richardxjr said:
Glad it's working for you Justin smile

If you change tyres run a central bead or blobs of superglue on the tyre and stick the used flataway tape on that wink
That was good advice form you & thanks. However, your BB idea you can keep wink

Watchman

6,391 posts

244 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Another fan of Flataway. Before these, my Conti MKs appeared as resilient as party balloons. At least one puncture per ride (always thorns). Since fitting the Flataway strips, I've not had one - about 500 miles now.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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If you're really new to mountain biking, and want to ride the bike properly, without years of trial and error experimentation, i'd suggest you try to save up for some proper MTB skills tuition (or get someone to give you a course voucher for birthday/chrimbo etc) !!

You'd be amazed at the number of people with "all the gear, and no idea" and if you want to ride some of the more difficult terrain that a modern MTB makes possible, getting the basic techniques correct, from day 1, might well also save you from at least some minor embarrassment and at worst a trip to A&E etc

Craikeybaby

Original Poster:

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
quotequote all
Max_Torque said:
If you're really new to mountain biking, and want to ride the bike properly, without years of trial and error experimentation, i'd suggest you try to save up for some proper MTB skills tuition (or get someone to give you a course voucher for birthday/chrimbo etc) !!

You'd be amazed at the number of people with "all the gear, and no idea" and if you want to ride some of the more difficult terrain that a modern MTB makes possible, getting the basic techniques correct, from day 1, might well also save you from at least some minor embarrassment and at worst a trip to A&E etc
Thanks! I've had a few days at trail centres (Afan/Sherwood Pines) on rental bikes, so not totally new. I have been planning on having some training at Cannock Chase too though.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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I've heard good reports from a few people who have done various skills days at Cannock, and there is a nice amount of varied terrain available on which to practice, nothing too serious, but enough to get the basics right and drilled ;-)

Craikeybaby

Original Poster:

10,369 posts

224 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Sounds good to me! Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze the bike into my girlfriend's Fiat 500, because it certainly won't fit in my MR2!