Sort of long, sry.

I would like to get into off-road (you know, dirt/gravel paths through forests, etc.) mountain biking and I don't know where to start.

I own a Bianchi (sp?) mountain bike. It has served me well for casual riding with my wife on paths and some minor off-road terrain. I recently priced out a bike rack for my car and having this will allow me greater access to some decent trails (quite a few well reviewed trails within a 30 minute car ride from my house.

My questions:
- any essential add-ons to my standard bike that will make a huge difference on the trails (other than the decent tires, gloves, padded spandex I have and helmet I will buy, I have nothing else)?
- any books about bike repair and parts that are good for a newbie with nice illustrations (I haven't changed a tire for like 15 yrs)
- any tips you would give a newbie on what additional things to buy that are worth the $ and great to have (i.e. maybe a hydration pack)?
- any good magazines or online resources I should look into?

I'm not looking to spend a lot of dough, just want the essentials at affordable prices. Thanks in advance for your help.

I think Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance is the best introductory book on maintenance and repairs: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1884737994/qid=1077065220//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-7094005-0634251?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Beyond that, I really wouldn't spend any money beyond the gloves, shorts, and brain bucket until you've been out riding and you feel a problem. Well, maybe a camelbak but some people seem happy with just a water bottle cage.

As for magazines, beware of Mountain Bike Action. It has a strangely hypnotic way of convincing you to buy crap you don't need. ;)

Sort of long, sry.

I would like to get into off-road (you know, dirt/gravel paths through forests, etc.) mountain biking and I don't know where to start.

I own a Bianchi (sp?) mountain bike. It has served me well for casual riding with my wife on paths and some minor off-road terrain. I recently priced out a bike rack for my car and having this will allow me greater access to some decent trails (quite a few well reviewed trails within a 30 minute car ride from my house.

My questions:
- any essential add-ons to my standard bike that will make a huge difference on the trails (other than the decent tires, gloves, padded spandex I have and helmet I will buy, I have nothing else)?
- any books about bike repair and parts that are good for a newbie with nice illustrations (I haven't changed a tire for like 15 yrs)
- any tips you would give a newbie on what additional things to buy that are worth the $ and great to have (i.e. maybe a hydration pack)?
- any good magazines or online resources I should look into?

I'm not looking to spend a lot of dough, just want the essentials at affordable prices. Thanks in advance for your help.


Here are a few of my OPINIONS. I am sure I will leave out some very important stuff, but here is what I have found.

1-HELMUT! I wouldn't even think of riding without one. Gloves are important as well. Not for the grip so much as saving your precious skin.
2-Zinn's Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance is the most highly regarded. It is 21.95 and worth every penny.
3-New tires would probably be a good idea if your knobs are worn out from path riding.
3-I feel that hydration packs are a little over kill for a beginner, your legs and lungs give out before your 2 water bottles will. They are pretty pricey IMO. Make sure you are hydrated before you hit the trails. I always make sure my pee is clean and clear before heading out. Remember, if you get thirsty you are already down the evil path of dehydration. I always like to take a Clif Bar along for the ride as well. Then again, I am a pig and always am eating.
4-this site's reviews and forums are a great resource. Also, do a quick yahoo search for biking clubs in your city. They are great to find group rides and local trails.
5. My biggest mistake on my first rides was not having a change of clothes when I got back to my car. Bring more than you think, you will need it.
6-And the most important thing...HAVE FUN! I think a lot of riders get too caught up in having gear and the such and forget to get out there and ride. I have found that if you really get into riding you will figure out what you need. No reason to waste a bunch of money in the beginning...unless you have lots to waste.

And my apologies if I come off patronizing you. Certainly not my intent....jsut thinking off the top of my head.

I think Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance is the best introductory book on maintenance and repairs:

Beyond that, I really wouldn't spend any money beyond the gloves, shorts, and brain bucket until you've been out riding and you feel a problem. Well, maybe a camelbak but some people seem happy with just a water bottle cage.

As for magazines, beware of Mountain Bike Action. It has a strangely hypnotic way of convincing you to buy crap you don't need.
Lighty is right Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance is great beginner book for bike repair. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

I would suggest before you head out to the trail, is put together an emergency kit. Here what I keep in my:<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
Mini-pump<o:p></o:p>
Mini-tool with a chain tool (I like the Topeak Alien)<o:p></o:p>
Spare Tube<o:p></o:p>
Patch Kit<o:p></o:p>
Wrench (if you don’t have quick release on your tires)<o:p></o:p>
Zip Ties (great for holding something together temporarily)<o:p></o:p>
Dollar bill (for sidewall tears)<o:p></o:p>
First kid (band aids and aspirin)<o:p></o:p>
Spare pins for the chain

It really sucks to be stuck miles from nowhere with a flat.
<o:p></o:p>

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Other then at I would take Lighty suggest and go out & ride. Once you done couple trips you’ll have a good feel what you’ll need.

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The only thing I would disagree with Lighty on is the helmet (or as he puts the brain bucket). I’ve take some and seem some nasty spills on the trail and if it wasn’t for the “brain bucket” alot of us would have left some on the trail. The brain unlike most other part of your body doesn’t heal very well and you really should protect it.

Get a decent helmet on with good ventilation. You could get a cheapy from local Wal-mart and it'll protect your head as well as anything else but I promise you'll end up BBQ your brains. When I first started riding I got a cheapy from my local Sears. Big mistake!!! It offered the right protection all right, but it was hot as hell. After hour you could fry an egg on my head.

Helmet is your #1 priority.... every accident I've had was on a nice "casual" ride where I didn't think a helmet was necessary it seems.

2nd priority will be to get your bike tuned up and checked over. Doesn't sound like it was necessarily maintained very well so this is important. Get the bike shop to recommend a lubricant to you and ask them to show you how to apply it to the chain and other parts properly. Too often we get people in that douse their entire drivetrain into a gooey oily mess.


Best book I can recommend is Zinn and the Art of Mountianbike Maintenance. Hydration packs are nice but non-essential. Waterbottles accomplish essentially the same thing for a few bucks each. Bring a tube, tire levers, and a multi-tool with you on the trail.

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The only thing I would disagree with Lighty on is the helmet (or as he puts the brain bucket). I’ve take some and seem some nasty spills on the trail and if it wasn’t for the “brain bucket” alot of us would have left some on the trail. The brain unlike most other part of your body doesn’t heal very well and you really should protect it.


What? I didn't say don't get a helmet. I said I wouldn't spend money beyond gloves, helmet, and shorts.

For gloves I would get full finger ones with some knuckle padding.


Mini-pump
Mini-tool with a chain tool (I like the Topeak Alien)
Spare Tube
Patch Kit
Wrench (if you don’t have quick release on your tires)
Zip Ties (great for holding something together temporarily)
Dollar bill (for sidewall tears)
First kid (band aids and aspirin)
Spare pins for the chain

I think a lot of this depends on the length of the ride and distance from civilization (or your car.)

Nobody's mentioned clipless pedals. If you're gonna get into this, give this some real consideration. One of the best basic upgrades I think you can make.

A lot of people actually switch back from clipless to platforms. That's not to say clipless isn't the way to go, but I think it's too much money right now. Without some time on the trails, noonievut probably doesn't know which clipless and which shoes are right for him yet.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful tips and guidance. Living close to Toronto, we still have some time before spring arrives, so I'm inquiring about gear because I'm getting excited about the warm weather.

I will continue to ski, but in the mean time will visit some bike shops and price some of the recommend items for when I'm ready to start riding.

Quick question - if I get the Zinn book will it discuss the repair tools required, what they look like and how to use them? Otherwise I'm a bit intimidated outside of a wrench and allen keys?

as you ski, check out Kelso area for riding (and Hilton Falls across the 401) and also Mansfield/Orangeville areas, lots of great trails. See if you can hook up with group rides - check at LBS's and ask around; they above all will help you see what others in that area use and find helpful on trail rides.

good luck, Jim

"6-And the most important thing...HAVE FUN! I think a lot of riders get too caught up in having gear and the such and forget to get out there and ride. I have found that if you really get into riding you will figure out what you need. No reason to waste a bunch of money in the beginning...unless you have lots to waste"

Randob's #6. Is a good one! I got caught up in the gear thing. I don't think I'd be having LESS fun without some of it! :)

*The only additional "upgrade" I'd mention is maybe a new set of tires. Fatter, stickier, maybe more aggressive tires can make a big difference in how a bike feels on the trails. If you decide on something like this, run it by your LBS first to make sure they fit your bike. A tire upgrade is by no means essential, but can breathe new life into an older bike and it doesn't cost that much.

*Think about buying whatever you end up buying from your LBS, and not online. You might be able to find things cheaper online, but since your a newbie you'll have a lot to gain by developing a relationship with a bike shop. If possible try to deal w/ the same person so they remember you.

*Here's a couple of sources for bike repair/maintenance: http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

The Zinn book is great for illustrating everything and telling you exactly what tools you need for every task. It really sets the standard for MTB repair manuals, from beginner to more advanced. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed.

As for the cost of clipless pedals, I bought my first SPD clipless pedals off ebay for $12-13 and found a new pair of Shimano shoes (still in the box) for about the same price. Later, I bought a pair of new Specialized shoes for about $5, all from ebay. Even buyng locally, my son just bought a new pair of pedals yesderday for $30 from a LBS. They were take-offs from a new bike where the buyer wanted another option. Clipless doesn't have to be an expensive proposition.

The Zinn book is great for illustrating everything and telling you exactly what tools you need for every task. It really sets the standard for MTB repair manuals, from beginner to more advanced. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed.

As for the cost of clipless pedals, I bought my first SPD clipless pedals off ebay for $12-13 and found a new pair of Shimano shoes (still in the box) for about the same price. Later, I bought a pair of new Specialized shoes for about $5, all from ebay. Even buyng locally, my son just bought a new pair of pedals yesderday for $30 from a LBS. They were take-offs from a new bike where the buyer wanted another option. Clipless doesn't have to be an expensive proposition.

My suggestion:

Start on a easy but challenging trail. See if you can get a more experienced rider to go with you as you will learn alot faster this way. Possibly rent a mtb video, not like Kranked or anyting, but a more XC oriented video. A couple of people have posted their personal ones in the general form from time to time. It wouldn't hurt to see how to ride a bike off road before just jumping into it. Clipless shoes are sweet , but i think they cause people to freak out if they're not used to it. I'd get comforatable with some platforms, then try the same trail with clipless. It can be scary the first time you climb a hill and youre' "clipped in"

The Zinn book is great for illustrating everything and telling you exactly what tools you need for every task. It really sets the standard for MTB repair manuals, from beginner to more advanced. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed.

As for the cost of clipless pedals, I bought my first SPD clipless pedals off ebay for $12-13 and found a new pair of Shimano shoes (still in the box) for about the same price. Later, I bought a pair of new Specialized shoes for about $5, all from ebay. Even buyng locally, my son just bought a new pair of pedals yesderday for $30 from a LBS. They were take-offs from a new bike where the buyer wanted another option. Clipless doesn't have to be an expensive proposition.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather not spend money on something until I know what I want. The shoes you found are surprisingly cheap and won't hurt, but good shoes from a shop is probably $60 to $120. As for pedals, people have widely varying preferences about pedals, and some of cheaper ones I really hate like Shimano 505s or Nashbar clipless pedals ($30-40ish). On the flip side, if I had bought into all the review hypes and gotten eggbeaters ($80-100ish), I would have hated it.

Maybe if you find it ultra cheap on ebay or somewhere it's so cheap it doesn't matter, but I think waiting after some rides to get clipless and shoes will make for a better purchase. Even if it's cheap I'd rather not buy something just to replace it with something I like better a month or two down the road.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful tips and guidance. Living close to Toronto, we still have some time before spring arrives, so I'm inquiring about gear because I'm getting excited about the warm weather.

I will continue to ski, but in the mean time will visit some bike shops and price some of the recommend items for when I'm ready to start riding.

Quick question - if I get the Zinn book will it discuss the repair tools required, what they look like and how to use them? Otherwise I'm a bit intimidated outside of a wrench and allen keys?
you will find all of your maintenence needs here http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/index.shtml as well. in simple to follow instructions....

Start on a easy but challenging trail. See if you can get a more experienced rider to go with you as you will learn alot faster this way. Possibly rent a mtb video, not like Kranked or anyting, but a more XC oriented video. A couple of people have posted their personal ones in the general form from time to time. It wouldn't hurt to see how to ride a bike off road before just jumping into it. Clipless shoes are sweet , but i think they cause people to freak out if they're not used to it. I'd get comforatable with some platforms, then try the same trail with clipless. It can be scary the first time you climb a hill and youre' "clipped in"

Ditto on the MTB video. Ned Overend made a great one a few years ago that might look a little dated from the equipment, but all of the advice is smack on. I asked my local library to purchase it and they let me know when it came in.

A few people are saying to hold off a bit on clipless pedals; I agree that's fine. Go out and get a feel for the trails first. Spend some weeks getting used to the bike and how it handles on the singletrack. When/if you do start with clipless, start on a nice flat grass area and just practice clipping and unclipping for awhile till you're comfortable.

I agree with everyone above- get the mellon wrapper ASAP!
As far as wrenching and what to carry for the trail, what you should/ may need for the "shop" among other things, I have found this site very helpfull!

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/

Have at it, ay?!

Essentials

Helmet, gloves, spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, pump, maps, bear bells, DEET.

Just ride.