Compare Mountain Biking to Golf in terms of costs. In Golf, after you purchase the equipment, you need to pay green fees every time you play which are usually $35 and up depending on the course you play. You also need to pay for range balls whenever you practice at the range. (And buy balls when you loose them!) This could obviously get very expensive, plus you do not get a great cardiovascular workout at the same time!
Once you get your bike, you do not need to spend a lot of money on all of the accessories right away. You can just accumulate the essential items that you need every few weeks or whenever you can afford them depending upon your budget. That way the costs are spread out.
Equipment and Costs
Bike:
A new Mountain bike can cost you anywhere from $300 to well over $4000, depending upon the make and model you choose. If you are just starting out and have relatively 'mild' trails, I would suggest that you get yourself a 4" full suspension trail bike. (The 4" means that the rear shock travel is 4 inches) You can get an entry level Mountain bike at your local bike store like Performance Bike for around $300. You will find the best deals near the end of the season and at the end of the year as they will want to sell all remaining stock of this years models.
If you are truly interested in this sport and add it as a part of your lifestyle, you can always upgrade your bike in a few years. You can find some great deals on used Mountain bikes on Craigslist. (Just make sure that you are not purchasing a stolen bike. Bikes have serial numbers stamped under the bottom bracket that you can run through your local police station).
Bike racks:
There are two types of bike racks for cars which are on the roof and attached to a trailer hitch. If you have a truck, you can save yourself a few bucks and just throw it into the truck bed. 4 bike rack for the back of your car/truck will run from $100 and up depending upon the make and model that you get. These are the most convenient as you do not need to lift the bike very high to get them on the rack. Removing them is also very easy as they are only a few feet off of the ground.
You need to have a hitch attached to your car or truck which the bike rack attaches to. If you need one and want to pick it up locally, look for a U-haul in your area. They sell them for around $140 and you can either install it yourself or have them install it for you. If you do it yourself, it will take you about 2 hours depending upon your vehicle.
I personally have a 4 bike Thule Ridgeline with a cable locking system that come in handy if you need to park and run into a store for a few minutes. The cable runs through the frame which locks it to the rack. I'll usually take off the seat and seat clamp if I'm away for more than 5 minutes.
The roof mounted racks are in general harder to place your bikes onto for obvious reasons. You will often need to open the car door and use it as a step to load your bike, especially if you have an SUV as the top of the roof is often high. Lifting a 35lb bike onto a roof rack can be awkward and strenuous for some people, especially for smaller women. Another downside to the roof rack is pulling into a garage and forgetting that your bikes are on top. This has happened to many people and you will not only damage your bikes and rack, but the top of your vehicle may also be damaged.
Rear mounted racks are nice because you do not need to lift the bike very high off of the ground and you will never pull into a garage and cause thousands of dollars of damage. You will need to have a trailer hitch installed if you do not have one installed already.
I have a truck and still purchased a bike rack for the back as I wanted the capability to carry up to 4 bikes without stacking them in my truck bed. I also have a camper shell which limits the amount of bikes that I can load into the bed of the truck.
A few name brand racks are Yakima and Thule.
You will need to get yourself specific biking cloths to be comfortable on the trails.
Shorts:
It is personal preference to use either lycra or baggies. Most MTB racers will wear lycra as there is less binding and material flapping around in the wind. Most recreational riders will opt for baggie Mtb shorts. You can purchase these anywhere from $30 to $100+. Nema boost is a good entry level baggy for a great price.Tip: Do not wear your underwear under these shorts! They usually have padding for the bike seat and are designed NOT to bind when riding. By wearing underwear, you will defeat the design and purpose.
Shirts/Jerseys:
You will want to use specific riding or workout t-shirts or jerseys when you ride. Avoid wearing a cotton T-shirt as they will soak up sweat and will stay wet for a while as cotton takes time to dry. They will get very uncomfortable sticking to your body, especially when you stop for a break. Check your local bike store for sweat 'wicking' tee shirts and jerseys like the Under Armour line.Shoes:
If you have flat pedals, you just need a pair of tennis shoes to get started. There are specific riding shoes for Mtb's that are made for maximum adhesion to the pedal. Here is one from Shimano that features a duel compound rubber sole that is made for both biking and walking.
If you choose to have clip in pedals, you will want to get a good pair of Mtb shoes that have relatively stiff soles. This will transfer the power that you put into your pedals much more efficiently when you are on that uphill climb. You will also have more feel when riding down the trail. Shimano makes a nice shoe called the SH-MO86L that is lightweight with fiberglass reinforced midsole.
Socks:
If you choose to have clip in pedals, you will want to get a good pair of Mtb shoes that have relatively stiff soles. This will transfer the power that you put into your pedals much more efficiently when you are on that uphill climb. You will also have more feel when riding down the trail. Shimano makes a nice shoe called the SH-MO86L that is lightweight with fiberglass reinforced midsole.
Socks:
Get yourself some sweat wicking socks to be comfortable on the trails. (Do not wear your daily white socks!) They usually come in a variety of colors as white socks will always get dirt stained. In general, black is one of the most common Mtb'ing sock colors as you cannot see any dirt stains!
Gloves:
Gloves are an essential park of Mountain biking as it allows you to keep a good grip on your handlebars when descending on a trail. They also add a layer of protection in case you fall as you will naturally extend your hand to break a fall. This is key as falling on a trail with rocks can cause lacerations quite easily. Fox has been producing motocross clothing for quite a while and they produce quality products. I personally have 2 pairs of Fox gloves that I alternate to balance the wear.
Gloves:
Gloves are an essential park of Mountain biking as it allows you to keep a good grip on your handlebars when descending on a trail. They also add a layer of protection in case you fall as you will naturally extend your hand to break a fall. This is key as falling on a trail with rocks can cause lacerations quite easily. Fox has been producing motocross clothing for quite a while and they produce quality products. I personally have 2 pairs of Fox gloves that I alternate to balance the wear.
Essentials
Helmet
Go down to your local bike shop and look for a helmet that fits perfectly! If there is any pinching or slight discomfort at the store, it will be magnified on the trail after a few hours of riding. Helmet technology has come a long way over the past decade and you can get yourself a really good helmet for $40 on sale these days.
Some common brands are Gyro, Specialized, Fox racing, Bell, Limar.
If you are going to ride all mountain with drops and highly technical terrain, a full face helmet will be the best choice to protect you head. This type of helmet is almost a must if you are going to ride Mtb parks like Northstar at Tahoe or the North Shore in British Columbia.
Sun Glasses
Glasses with interchangeable lenses are a must if you have a variety of trails in your area that are exposed to the sun as well as under trees. When you are under tree cover, the amount of sunlight is diminished and you will want to change your lens to a yellow, amber color to allow as much light through as possible.When you are going on a trail that has a lot of sun exposure (Like moab), you will want to change out the lens to a much darker shade that omits a lot of sunlight.
There are many trails in N. California that have a combination of tree cover and exposed fire roads. I will usually opt for the persimmon colored lens as that is a really good all purpose lens for most conditions.
Hydration units:
You will want to eventually want to get yourself a camelbak or some type of hydration pack that you carry like a backpack. These are almost a must have item if you are serious about mountain biking. Here is a review of the Camelbak Rogue and a review of the Camelbak Blowfish.Here is a short video that shows what I carry in my hydration pack when I'm out on a long ride.
Bike Gear:
You will want to get yourself a large gym bag to place all of your gear in. This will make it much easier to grab and throw into your car/truck and NOT forget anything. (We have all done it in the past! Whoops, I forgot the helmet, gloves, hydration pack, shoes, socks, armor, sun glasses, etc...!)You will want to get yourself a few essential items to carry in your hydration pack when you are out on the trail. Carry what you feel is necessary as your pack can get heavy when you over load it. One the other hand, it's a good idea to be prepared, especially if you are riding solo and plan to head out 15+ miles from the trailhead.
Items to consider carrying in your hydration unit:
I carry these on every ride. If I plan to do a quick loop and do not plan for a long ride that will take me far away from the trailhead, I'll pack the minimum to save on weight. (Make sure you carry your medical insurance card in your car just in case). You can place these items in a large zip lock bag to keep them dry.
Car key (Must!)
Mini Pump
Intertube
Multi bike tool
Tire levers
Additional items to carry on longer solo rides (When you can't rely on anyone!)
Chain break tool with pieces of chain in case of breakage
Spare derailleur hanger
Zip ties (In case you need to tie up your rear derailleur)
Small amount of Duct tape (Can wrap around the tire/tube just in case)
Tire patches/rubber cement
Gels, Energy bars, food, squirt bottle of energy drink
First Aid - Band aids, individual towelettes, gauze wrap, large anti-stick patches, medical tape, antibacterial ointment, ibuprofen/aspirin.
Cell phone If I am going to ride with a few others, I will leave a lot of items out of my pack to save on weight. You can always borrow a pump or a tool from one of your friends! Just don't get seperated!
Over the years of Mountain biking, I have found most people very helpful and willing to help you in case you do have a mechanical issue on the trail. So even if you don't have the item that you need on the trail, someone will eventually come by and may have the tool or part that you need. If you don't like to rely on anyone, it's best to carry everything to support yourself on the trail.
Etiquette
Did you know that there are 'rules' to the trail? The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has suggested the following rules:
1. Ride On Open Trails Only
Respect trail and road closures -- ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.
2. LEAVE NO TRACE
Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
3. Control Your Bicycle
Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits.
4. Yield to Others
Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming -- a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to all other trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. Strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one.
5. Never Scare Animals
Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses.
6. Plan Ahead
Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding -- and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
