Going out with your two-wheeler or bike for daily usage can be healthy. However, if you ardently want to experience some genuine fun and challenges, mountain biking is definitely in your cards. When you go up the tough terrains and rocky pathways with your favorite bicycle, the thrill of mountain biking will feel like heaven.
However, you can’t start biking in the mountain from city traffic. It would put you in front of many unseen problems. So, it would be best if you took proper preparations. Hence, we came up with an engaging tutorial on 5 things you should know before you start mountain biking. So, are you up for it?
1. Understand your expenditure
When you plan for a mountain biking with your bicycle for the first time, you may not be aware of the expenditure. It varies considerably compared to the gears and type of bike you will need for city traffic and daily commute.
You may need to expend anywhere between $500 to $2000 to prepare correctly for the mountaineering task. The expenditure includes your bicycle budget and gears. We have carefully chosen the budget to meet the requirements and the sweet spot of your comfort zone.
For instance, an average mountaineering bike will cost you around $500 to $850. In this budget, you get a decent and handy hard-tail bike. However, if you are ready to spend higher, the full-suspension bike is ready to serve you.
Also, you can opt for various cutting edge bikes with smart integration if you have the budget. Besides the bike, you would need to spend on your gears, such as smart devices for measuring heart and breath rate.
You may want a GPS enabled watch as well. Finally, a pair of safety goggles, mountaineering helmet to protect your head, and knee and ankle caps are also necessary. The adequate budgeting for all these gears will help you prepare entirely for your first mountain trip. And once you learn the initial steps and techniques, you can always upgrade to a better bicycle for more challenges.
2. Fix your bike at the beginning
Most bikers, during their first mountain expedition, are unsure about the type of bicycle they should purchase. So, if you are one of them and don’t know which way to go, we suggest you opt for the trail bike at the beginning. It is quite a rigid bike and easy to ride, as well. However, it is not only about the ease of riding. Instead, the bike offers smooth riding on every terrain and supports maximum riding styles too.
The tail bike blends fun and safety requirements for a lifetime of biking experiences. What’s more, a trail bike is easily transformable between a hard-tail and full suspension with little adjustments. So, you are at liberty to go with your style and preference. However, if you don’t like riding on a trail bike, there are other alternatives for you as well. They include:
Downhill: Downhill bike is designed to ride on shuttle assisted and life-assisted mountain trails.
Cross Country: The Cross Country bike is suitable for all-day riding without much fatigue. Also, it is an ideal option for going uphill and feeling the thrill of the race.
All-Mountain: The All-Mountain bike is designed to ride on steeper trails and descending rides with the utmost safety.
3. Don’t ignore the safety equipment
Overconfidence during mountain biking is a fatal decision most cyclists make during their initial stage. We have seen many cyclists going bare equipment to enjoy the freshest air and ended up getting minor to significant injuries. So, we always suggest you prepare with the right gear before you go for the first mountain trip. These safety gears for mountain biking keep you safe and help you tackle riskier trails with more confidence.
First, get the right helmet. You can choose from the regular or full-face helmet, depending on your comfort zone. If you love downhill and high-speed steep riding, we recommend a full-face helmet. It is designed for aggressive riding.
As you drive through various terrains, particles such as pebbles, dust, debris, and tree branches lark around you. Therefore, you should invest in adequate eye protection to avoid accidents. You may choose a professional-grade mountain biking glasses for $50 to $150. Nonetheless, a pair of contractor glasses will do the job fine, which cost around $3 to $5. So, even if they get lost, you won't lose much.
4. Figure out your biking interest
When we speak about mountain biking, it is not only riding the mountain uphill with your favorite bicycle. You can opt for uphill, downhill, or even the flat terrain biking. Also, you need to consider the biking location. Will you be riding mostly on tropical conditions or icy places? These considerations are crucial since they will help you choose the right bike and tire type. The tire of the bicycle is vital, so you need to figure out the threaded pattern of it. Once you can determine your biking preference, you can quickly figure out the type of bike too. Lastly, it will prepare you better, both mentally and physically.
5. Ready to fall:
Although it seems somewhat weird, it is evident that you will fall at some point during your mountain biking. So, you need to be prepared for it so that you can rise tall after the fall and begin riding with confidence. There will be scars and bruises on your limbs, hands, and other parts of the body. But they shouldn’t frustrate you, instead, take pride in them. However, don’t fall off guards. Always use protective gear such as elbow and knee pads and ankle strips for a safe fall.
The excitement of mountain biking is next to none. Once you learn the right way of going uphill or downhill with your mountain bike, you will be in the seventh sky. However, it would be ardently best if you prepared well before kicking off the challenging mountain biking. There are multiple other things you should also know, including riding position, seating arrangement, and so on.
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