Getting an MTB, what else do I need?

[Craikeybaby]

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?

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks all! I can see this getting expensive, glad I managed to find a bike under budget.

[Craikeybaby]

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.

[Craikeybaby]

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...

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.

[Craikeybaby]

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.

[Craikeybaby]

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!

[Craikeybaby]

I've got the bike:
New bike by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

And the various bits, except tubes, after I guessed wrong when I was in the LBS to buy a helmet. Will call in again tomorrow to try to swap them.

I've realised that I also need some sort of lock, as it would have been handy to ride up to the LBS, but don't want to leave my bike unattended.

What is needed in the way of regular maintenance? Do I need some sort of chain lube or something?

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks for all the chain cleaning/lube advice, I'll have a look at the LBS later.

richardxjr said:

Looks nice. Did you pick up 26" tubes instead of 27"? They'll still fit (and be lighter )

Thanks, nope, I got schrader instead of presta, bought them before the bike arrived and figured I had a 50% chance of getting it right.

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks for all the advice, I seem to have got the hang of it. As predicted earlier in the thread I'm going to need to take it to the LBS as the gears need tweaked (changes seem to have a 50% success rate) and the front brake is squeaking.

Are chainstay protectors a good idea? I've noticed a few chips on the chainstay, but wrapping some neoprene around it seems like a recipe to trap dirt/moisture.

[Craikeybaby]

daddy cool said:

Just dont get GT85 or any kind of lube near your brakes - cover them with a clean rag if you are spraying willy-nilly.

This is the key bit of information, that I kind of forgot, sprayed the chain with GT85, without covering the disc, now rear brake isn't very effective. Is that new pads and/or disc?

[Craikeybaby]

That's the plan, they still slow me down, I just can't lock up the wheel. The front brake is squeaking when I'm not braking, so I'm going to need to get it to the LBS sooner rather than later.

[Craikeybaby]

daddy cool said:

Craikeybaby said:

That's the plan, they still slow me down, I just can't lock up the wheel. The front brake is squeaking when I'm not braking, so I'm going to need to get it to the LBS sooner rather than later.

Rear - get some spare pads anyway, but they might be ok in a bit. If you have a hill nearby ride down it with the back brake on to cook them! Before that take the wheel off and clean the disc with fairly liquid and/or burn then with a windproof lighter or some sort of flamethrower.
Front brake should be easy - release the two Allen bolts to loosen caliper. Hold in place and apply front brake. Holding the lever, tighten up the Allen bolts. Disc should be central now and not squeak on each rotation. A spare pair of hands helps!

Thanks, I'll give that a go, I went out for a ride after work, but I mustn't have used the brakes enough.

[Craikeybaby]

deadtom said:

probably new pads time I'm afraid, and be sure to clean the rotor thoroughly as well.

your LBS should re set the gears and give the bike a once over for you after 6 weeks or so. If they try and charge you for it they are a bad shop and they should feel bad.

To be fair, I'm a bad customer who bought online, although they didn't have any 650b hardtails, which was what I was after.

[Craikeybaby]

daddy cool said:

Front brake should be easy - release the two Allen bolts to loosen caliper. Hold in place and apply front brake. Holding the lever, tighten up the Allen bolts. Disc should be central now and not squeak on each rotation. A spare pair of hands helps!

I had a go at this over the weekend, but need to do a bit more research as there was only one allen bolt on my caliper, the rest are all torx by the looks of things.

I didn't actually manage to get out on my bike this weekend, when I wasn't busy doing DIY etc it was chucking it down