apparel??

[warchild]

what do i need? Just the bare esentials for now,are hiking boots ok? will a bmx style helmet work? thanks

[jmblur]

1) Bike shorts. Trust me. you can get baggies if you want, but your junk will thank you. I'd shy away from the very base models, I have a few pair I bought way back and ended up only using them once or twice before going to slightly more expensive pairs with much better padding.

2) Hiking boots will likely get uncomfortable. Running shoes are OK, skate shoes are too. Try what you have and decide. When you eventually go clipless (and you will!), then spend money on some mtb shoes.

3) BMX helmet will work ok, but its not great. You'll get hot real fast without some good ventilation. I've never been a huge fan of the way BMX helmets fit either. Helmet basics: All bike helmets protect the same (besides coverage, some helmets have lower back coverage like the Giro Xen, some are full face, etc.). What you pay for on more expensive helmets are better retention systems (can make a HUGE difference in comfort, and possibly a safety benefit as well), better ventilation, lighter weight, and marketing.

4) Gloves. I prefer full finger myself, but any bike gloves will do. Not only will they help prevent blisters and road rash/imbedded pebbles if you fall, they also help keep your hands from going numb or hurting. Cheap is ok here, FIT matters most!

5) Wicking T shirt. Not really an essential, but a nicety. Cotton does NOT breath when it's wet. Come early fall it's not as big a deal, but right now that cotton Tshirt will make you feel like you're riding in a sauna. Real bike jerseys can cost upwards of $60, the super expensive ones are over $100. A $15 REI coolmax T works just fine though, and doesn't look anywhere near as dorky.

6) Sunglasses with clear/yellow/orange lenses. Not as much a necessity, but very nice to have. Make sure they're half decent sunglasses, not cheap department store ones. You want protection, and the dept store ones are often very flimsy and prone to breaking into sharp pieces. Not to mention the distortion that can cause a crash in the first place. Keep an eye out for closeouts of "Smith Sliders". These can wait a bit, and I still ride without occasionally, but they definitely help keep dust/dirt/pebbles/bugs/wind out of your eyes.

[philman]

Just want to emphasize that the reason for glasses is more to protect the eyes from foreign objects then the sun. Single track around here is mostly under tree cover, and that can mean bugs and sticks. If you ride at dusk you'll go through whole clouds of gnats, and sometimes when you're focused on picking a line you'll miss seeing that little branch sticking out right at head height. I never ride without glasses.

The cheapest protection is a pair of safety glasses from the hardware store. Like less then $10.00 and they have curved ones that look pretty cool.

This is a great time of year to pick up helmets, shorts, etc. Lot's of sales so look around.

Welcome to the sport, by the way. Any questions you have, well, everybody on these boards will have an opinion to share.

[Linneke]

jmblur got everything covered perfectly, but I'll give you the fairly newbie perspective on what to actually buy if you're starting from nothing. I started riding back in June and did my first few races with just clipless pedals/shoes and gloves. Granted, now I'm a poster child for bike apparel, but here's what you need to get by on a budget:

1) Bike shorts. Fox Racing makes great shorts that I love, but my fiance still rides in standard workout shorts or boardshorts. We've both raced in those, and if you're not ready to spend money on decent shorts, you can get by with what you've got. Just don't wear baggy pants unless you love getting caught in your chain.

2) Go clipless now. It's actually really easy. I prefer Shimano clipless pedals, but people seem to like Crank Brothers eggbeaters as well. The first few times out, you'll fall over randomly because you can't get clipped out in time, but then it just gets to be second nature. You can get decent shoes 300% off at Performance all the time - I maybe paid $45 for my Cannondale shoes that have been great.

3) Get a decent helmet. Paying extra is worth the money. I just got a nicer Giro a month ago ($80 versus the $40 I originally paid), and it is so much more comfortable.

4) Gloves. Once again, I'm a fan of Fox Racing. The Mojave gloves are great half-finger gloves, and the Sidewinders are nice full-finger. Gloves are a must for both riding and falling, especially when you're riding close to brambles or making mistakes on gravelly hills. You'll kiss your gloves the first time you go flying violently off your bike and don't scrape up your palms.

5) Wicking T shirt. I beg to differ - this IS a necessity. Nothing says gross like basking in your own cold, wet sweat when your ride is done. A jersey of some sort will lessen this fun.

6) Sunglasses with clear/yellow/orange lenses. I bought a pair over a month ago and have not seen them since. After one or two rides with them, I found them to be incredibly distracting/annoying and took them off. When you start riding long rides or doing hardcore races, sunglasses are a necessary evil, but save your cash for now. Bugs in your eyes are, like, extra protein or something.

Look for great sales - all of the bike stores have them - and pick things up little by little. I have gotten some incredibly good deals on really nice stuff - a $30 Under Armor for $6, a $90 Nike winter jersey for $26, etc. Just check your local bike shops and get on some e-mail lists for notifications of sales.

Other things you may not know to buy include something with which to clean your chain (keeps your bike running smoothly) and a CamelBak. Hydration is your friend, even if the prices of CamelBaks are not. I'd recommend getting a slightly pricier one with some cargo space, because I didn't initially and had nowhere to put spare tubes, snacks, tools, keys, etc. I like the CamelBak Lobo.

Finally, http://www.mtbr.com is great for reviews of many products, from bikes to clothes to components.

[warchild]

damn you guys are awsome.

Ive got cannondale (half finger) gloves,i will get the glasses(im blind in my left eye so getting something in my good eye will suck real bad),ive got bike shorts with the seat padding and never thought about my board shorts,good idea

Once again never thought about my skate shoes,ill give them a try, there real comfortable. I do have a vented bike helmet(cheap schwinn one),both my helmets fit good,but i see the ventalation point.

I am going clipless,ive heard thats the way to go,for now i have the crappy toe strap things. I was told you need to really need to know what your doing to ride clipless,if you wreck your going to wreck bad,any truth to that?

So summer and winter under armour will work well?

I have a nice camel pack and just picked up a brush kit from he LBS,along with some degreaser and an extra tube. thanks again guys.

[CRAIG2]

I was told you need to really need to know what your doing to ride clipless,if you wreck your going to wreck bad,any truth to that?

So summer and winter under armour will work well?



There might be a hair of truth to the comment about clipless pedals, but little more than that. It's just a matter of getting a feel for the motion / action of clipping in and out. Clip in: step down on pedal. Clip out: keep foot level with pedal, twist heel out and away from the bike. Done. Intense, I know. :rolleyes: :D

Winter is just about layers and ensuring cotton is NOT one of those layers. Performance makes decent stuff for an affordable price - my trick is to buy in the off season when things are half price, etc.

[jmblur]

Some other nonapparel items (Linneke reminded me of a few).

1) Camelbak/Hydropak. Carries your gear and a ton of water. Get a 100oz one, on hot days you'll use it all. I just replaced my old Camelbak Mule this year after ~7 years, and then only because it got stinky and generally old-age worn, so I highly recommend Camelbaks. I replaced it with a new Mule: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23534&item=20-4746&slitrk=search&slisearch=true There are cheaper options out there as well, just realize you'll have to replace them a lot sooner.

2) Trail repair kit. Lots of threads about what people bring with them on the trail, but the basics are:
- Spare tube (At least one, make sure the size/valve type are correct!)
- MiniPump or CO2 (I recommend pumps, they're mostly foolproof and multiple use)
- Tire Levers (http://www.pedros.com/product.aspx?productID=6400052)
- Multitool with Allen wrenches (2,3,4,5,6,8), chain breaker, phillips + flathead screwdrivers. I recommend http://crankbrothers.com/multi17.php .
- Patch kit, for those "WTF THIS IS MY 3RD EFFING FLAT THIS RIDE" rides.

3. Chain lube. I use prolink, there are more than enough threads discussing the pros, cons, and minutiae of each type of lube.

4. Floor pump with a big dial. Don't need to get too fancy, just as long as it does Presta and Schraeder.

5. "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance" http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/193138259X or "Bicycling's guide..." http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/1579548830 . I have an old version of the latter, and it comes in very handy. Depends how much money you want to spend on tools vs. how much money you want to give to a shop to repair your bike! I just bought tools as I needed them for specific jobs, and now have every tool needed to strip my bike to bare frame (minus headset) and build it back up again.

Also, I highly suggest going to your local bike shop (NOT performance!) especially if you might need support or assistance. It's good to support local shops, they're the ones that help get our trails built and keep them maintained. REI also does its part in giving money to trail building/maintenance, so feel free to drop by that big box store. That said, local bike stores often have limited selection, especially in apparel. I usually drop by a local shop first, then hit up performance if I can't find what I need and need it fast. For parts I order online, but then again, I install and maintain all my own stuff.

Hope that helps, welcome to the sport!

[Linneke]

There might be a hair of truth to the comment about clipless pedals, but little more than that. It's just a matter of getting a feel for the motion / action of clipping in and out. Clip in: step down on pedal. Clip out: keep foot level with pedal, twist heel out and away from the bike. Done. Intense, I know.
Clipping out in a split second becomes second nature. It's like being punched in the face: nobody thinks, "Fist coming! Duck!" - they just duck naturally. After a few weeks with the pedals, your body will instantly react and clip out when you start to go down.

[CRAIG2]

Clipping out in a split second becomes second nature. It's like being punched in the face: nobody thinks, "Fist coming! Duck!" - they just duck naturally. After a few weeks with the pedals, your body will instantly react and clip out when you start to go down.

Exactly. My point was simply that you don't need to be an expert or pro rider, or 'really have to know what you're doing' to use clipless pedals. It just takes a little practice, and an understanding that yeah, you'll topple a few times. Just don't make a rock garden your 'practice area'..... :p ;) :D

[warchild]

thanks uys,ive ot a little list of stuff ive gotta get, but in the mean time i will be shooting for friday after work at rosaryville. this is by far the best forum/site in the area, keep up the good work.

[jmblur]

And some money saving tips, since I just told you to go drop a couple hundred bucks on gear!

1) Learn to repair your own bike, but don't get in over your head. Some bike shops even offer classes. Basics like changing flats (a must!), adjusting brakes, adjusting shifting and the like will make up 80% of your maintenance/repair tasks. You can try the harder stuff, but if you're not mechanically inclined you can end up screwing things up worse on some things. If you're not comfortable trusting your repairs won't cause you possible bodily injury, bring it to a bike shop!

2) Simple green is a great degreaser, and way cheaper than what you get at the bike shop. Many of the citrus ones sold at any supermarket will do fine too, although I have found a few leave a residue.

3) Save any tube you flat and replace on the trail. When you get 2 or 3, patch them all up at home. No need to buy new tubes every time you flat!

4) Keep an eye out on these forums - people sell great used stuff for super cheap.

5) Keep your bike lubed and maintained - it'll save you a lot of money down the road!

6) Don't pressure wash your bike, you'll quickly blow by bearing seals and wreck the grease.

7) Don't feel like you need to get everything at once. Some things are essentials (helmets, shorts, etc.), some things are very nice to have but not 100% necessary (clipless pedals, camelbaks, tool set at home).

[warchild]

the guy at the LBS told me that simple green was the best.

[punga]

damn you guys are awsome.

Ive got cannondale (half finger) gloves,i will get the glasses(im blind in my left eye so getting something in my good eye will suck real bad),ive got bike shorts with the seat padding and never thought about my board shorts,good idea

Once again never thought about my skate shoes,ill give them a try, there real comfortable. I do have a vented bike helmet(cheap schwinn one),both my helmets fit good,but i see the ventalation point.

I am going clipless,ive heard thats the way to go,for now i have the crappy toe strap things. I was told you need to really need to know what your doing to ride clipless,if you wreck your going to wreck bad,any truth to that?

So summer and winter under armour will work well?

I have a nice camel pack and just picked up a brush kit from he LBS,along with some degreaser and an extra tube. thanks again guys.
One thing about skate shoes: you may find yourself hiking places periodically as you get into more challenging terrain. Skate shoes aren't going to give you a lot of traction to work with, particularly on wet roots or soft, damp dirt (not mud ;) ).

Otherwise, JM's got you on the right track.

p!

[crack monkey]

I'd recommend full-finger gloves.

One time, my wife grabbed my half-finger (road) gloves for me while I was loading the bikes. Got to the trail, nothing I could do. Five minutes latter - BAM! I fell in a rock garden and sliced open the tip of my pinky finger. No biggy, just bled a lot. Full fingers would have prevented that annoyance.

For racing, or super-hot weather, I might wear the half-fingers. But for casual rides, I try to stick with the full coverage.

[drewdane]

A couple of thoughts:

Gloves - full-finger gloves are nice because they protect your hands when riding through a field with thistles and other spiky vegetation. Several companies make lightweight full-finger gloves that aren't too hot in warm weather. I know several people who ride with mechanic's gloves purchased at the hardware store - essentially the same item for half the price.

Clipless pedals - you might want to spend some time getting a feel for riding before going clipless, but that's entirely between you and your comfort level. When you do take that step, spend a little time every day in a grassy area practicing clipping in and out. That way, when you topple over sideways - and you will - you'll have a soft landing. The type of pedal you get is a matter of personal preference. I like my Time ATACs because they're near-indestructible and hold the cleats tight. Lots of folks like SPDs. Lots of folks like Crank Brothers (Eggbeaters, etc). Iconoclasts and people with screwed-up knees like Speedplays.

Eye protection - I have to say I strongly disagree with Linneke's take on glasses. You need something to protect your eyes, be it sunglasses, safety glasses (which I wear on my commute), or regular prescription glasses.

Jerseys - Cotton sucks, "real" bike jerseys are usually fugly (and expensive), and cheapo synthetic Ts from Wallyworld are made by slave children in China or some such. Hey, nobody said life's choices had to be easy, eh?

[Linneke]

Eye protection - I have to say I strongly disagree with Linneke's take on glasses. You need something to protect your eyes, be it sunglasses, safety glasses (which I wear on my commute), or regular prescription glasses.Yeah, yeah. You people and your safety and responsibility. I mean, why do you think people come with two eyes? It's so you have a backup in case something happens to the other one.

;) <--- That's not a winking face. That's me after riding without glasses for years.

[jabberwocky]

My thoughts:

Shirts: I like Starter wicking tshirts. Walmart generally has them for 8 bucks or so. They are simple, comfortable and not covered in ugly graphics/advertisements. I personally detest bike jerseys, but thats just me.

Gloves: My favorite gloves are simple carpenter gloves from Home Depot. 10 bucks a pair, and I find them more comfortable and durable than actual bike gloves (of which I also have a few pairs).

Shorts: I have lots of different shorts. I usually wear Hoss Ponderosa baggies, although I have a few pairs of Oakley baggies I also like. I'm not a big lycra wearer, but I do have a few pairs of Pearl Izumi tights I wear when the weather is cold.

Shoes: If you run platforms, flat soled skate shoes work well. The absolute best shoe for flat pedals are Five-Ten Impacts, which have an unbelievably grippy sole. Couple those with good bmx pinned pedals and you get great grip. For clipless, there are lots of good choices.

[Jackson]

Eye protection - I have to say I strongly disagree with Linneke's take on glasses. You need something to protect your eyes, be it sunglasses, safety glasses (which I wear on my commute), or regular prescription glasses.



I agree - to the point I won't ride without them. Not worth it. Especially night riding - branches can be invisible.

[g_barr]

Yeah, yeah. You people and your safety and responsibility. I mean, why do you think people come with two eyes? It's so you have a backup in case something happens to the other one.

Although you're right about duplicate organs, I think you missed this Linneke:

(im blind in my left eye so getting something in my good eye will suck real bad)

Everyone's given great advice so far. Just don't get too hung up in what logo is on your shorts - keeping your bike in working order is more important that what you're wearing. If you don't do your own maintenance, you should still get a book so you know what the LBS is talking about.

Jmblur mentioned Zinn's MTB maintenance book. I have it and Park's Big Blue Book (BBB-1 (http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=19&item=BBB%2D1)). I recommend either one but I prefer Park's book because it is maintenance only and very thorough.

Welcome to the MORE site warchild!

[Linneke]

Although you're right about duplicate organs, I think you missed this Linneke...Okay, FINE! You win! Make sure you wear glasses! Gosh, next I suppose people will be telling me that I should start wearing a helmet or something.

I'm kidding. Of course I wear a helmet. I wouldn't want to mess up my hair in a nasty fall.

[jvanbrecht]

1) Bike shorts. Fox Racing makes great shorts that I love, but my fiance still rides in standard workout shorts or boardshorts. We've both raced in those, and if you're not ready to spend money on decent shorts, you can get by with what you've got. Just don't wear baggy pants unless you love getting caught in your chain.


Additionally (this happens to me all the time when I am wearing my baggy non riding shorts because I left my riding ones in the washer and forgot to turn it on...) Baggy shorts can sometimes catch on the seatpost quick release... this will result in a very surprising crash when you attempt to sit back down on the seat only to see it has rotated 90 degrees... (well not always a crash, but its a pain to have to stop and reseat everything.)

[warchild]

im not a "have to have the name brand" guy,but i love the advice you guys have dished out.im gonna buy a book, im mechanically inclined, but i have No idea what the "terms of biking" are

[philman]

Additionally (this happens to me all the time when I am wearing my baggy non riding shorts because I left my riding ones in the washer and forgot to turn it on...) Baggy shorts can sometimes catch on the seatpost quick release... this will result in a very surprising crash when you attempt to sit back down on the seat only to see it has rotated 90 degrees... (well not always a crash, but its a pain to have to stop and reseat everything.)

Man, I have got to ride behind you some time. I would pay to see that one. ;)

[Keithie Poo]

[QUOTE=warchild]damn you guys are awsome.

Ive got cannondale (half finger) gloves,i will get the glasses(im blind in my left eye so getting something in my good eye will suck real bad),ive got bike shorts with the seat padding and never thought about my board shorts,good idea
QUOTE]
off subject but. isnt a pain in the ass shoot out of the left of your bunker, with your eye being messed up? i have only been in md for 2 years and havent played here yet, where do you recomend playing?
roseryvill is a fun place to ride itl be good for your first.

[warchild]

yes actually it is hard, ive been playing for 6yrs, 4 of it has been spent playing tournements,so i adjusted real quick. see my avatar pic, ive almost got my head facing the side of the field so i dont expose the left side/blindside.

I play on a team sponsored by paintball adventure park(taneytown,md) and paintball wholesalers(fredrick and westminster). The field is by far the best in the region,and the stores can get anything you need(if they dont stock it). Im backing of the whole team tournement scene because its costing a ton of money,im just going to play for fun after this season is over.

yea, i love roseryville. im going back again this friday after work.

[crack monkey]

Yeah, tournament paintball is def. expensive. I played for a few years in college, while I was working at Splathouse in Charlottesviile. We didn't travel far - just the tournaments off I-64 (Staunton, C'ville, Richmond, to tidewater). That was when the first generation of electronic trigger markers were released - Angels, Shockers and the like. People used to make fun of me and my "old school" Autococker.

[jvanbrecht]

Yeah, tournament paintball is def. expensive. I played for a few years in college, while I was working at Splathouse in Charlottesviile. We didn't travel far - just the tournaments off I-64 (Staunton, C'ville, Richmond, to tidewater). That was when the first generation of electronic trigger markers were released - Angels, Shockers and the like. People used to make fun of me and my "old school" Autococker.

Ahh, those were the days... I never played tournament level, but I did play with my co workers as a team (when I worked at uunet) against other ISP teams. I had a minimag.. it rocked.. A couple of my current co workers play, ex army guys, they spend a crapton on their gear...

[g_barr]

I wonder what paintball mountain biking would be like?

[eloach]

I wonder what paintball mountain biking would be like?

It would be great fun until you wrecked your bike trying to dodge some shoots.

The last time I played I had a rental gun and the opponents had their own gear. Big mistake. It was 11 on 3 and they won (they were the 3) with only one guy on their team getting shot. I think it was like hunting deer with a spot light for them.

The guns those guys had were amazing.

[jmblur]

one of my paintball playin' coworkers just borrowed my Englund "Slick Honey" bike lube - apparently this stuff is revered in paintball circuits. Who knew?

[warchild]

thats funny when i saw that lube being sold in bike shops i thought the same thing.whaa???,i guess some lubes are JUST lubes

[jmblur]

"Slick Honey" was developed specifically for bike suspension forks, so it's definitely a bike lube. I picked mine up 5 or so years ago when I retrofitted an old RS Judy with some Englund air cartridges.

They worked great until I blew one of 'em out... oh well.