Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What a new MTB'r needs for equipment?

Hello..... again:D

Ok, so I pick up my new MTB bike today. I have all ready purchased the following:

Helmet
full gloves
chain lube
extra tube
3765:1 tool joke 9:1 but I was being silly
Tire pry sticks
manual/co2 combo tire pump
I have a camel back
I have a cable lock


What else do I need? what else would I want? I have these items in mind:

Cliopless pedals
shoes of course
hrm/computer
and I haven't choosen a bike rack yet. I drive a 2006 VW Jetta TDI

Any suggestions?

Oh! I made my purchase at Liberty Bike shop in Asheville, NC
Is there anyone in the area willing to show a newbie the ropes of how not to break a new MTB???

Thanks,
CDarby67

If you ain't breakin parts, you ain't riding! (as some of my MTB friends say)! Actually, the best suggestion I have is start on beginner trails and work up. Get to know the guys and gals there at the trails. Join the Mountainbike club there in Asheville!:D
http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/


EDIT: I shouldn't type before my first cup of coffee is drunk!

Hello..... again:D

Ok, so I pick up my new MTB bike today. I have all ready purchased the following:

Helmet
full gloves
chain lube
extra tube
3765:1 tool joke 9:1 but I was being silly
Tire pry sticks
manual/co2 combo tire pump
I have a camel back
I have a cable lock


What else do I need? what else would I want? I have these items in mind:

Cliopless pedals
shoes of course
hrm/computer
and I haven't choosen a bike rack yet. I drive a 2006 VW Jetta TDI

Any suggestions?

Oh! I made my purchase at Liberty Bike shop in Asheville, NC
Is there anyone in the area willing to show a newbie the ropes of how not to break a new MTB???

Thanks,
CDarby67

looks like you have most of the basics covered.

If money is no problem, clipless pedals can be great investment.

as for bike racks- did you want a roof rack or a trunk rack? (or trailer hitch rack if applicable)

Since you have a camelbbak and are willing to carry stuff - consider making a copy of your driver's license and your health/medical insurance card or get a Road ID. Also, especially for mountain biking, a first aid kit is nice. Mine has bandaids (mostly the large one - I usually rip a big area of skin), alcholol swabs, some benadryl (for allergy or bug bites), some aspirin (for heart attacks), some tape (can be used for all sorts of fix ups), and a small knife and twizzors (sp?). Twizzors can be used to get thorns out of skin and bike tires. Also some safety pins (large ones. If you break an arm the pin and your jersey can be used to secure the broken limb. It can also help dig out splinters). I have all this is a small baggie.

And I always ride with a cell phone handy.

Added: Good pedals to consider - Time ZControl with platform.

Thanks to you all,
I believe that I want a trunck mount rack. Do roof racks offer more security?

Clipless pedals...I love the idea....I have this insane idea I will fall and break myself..LOL.

First aide kit...I was considering that...see above....I am an RN (cardiac, ICU, E.R. at times) and planned to carry many of those things you mentioned, thanks!


Anyone have a good suggestion for a book or DVD that hows how to maintain your bike?

How about how to develop good trail/obstacle techniques?


Thanks,
CDarby67

Start easy.. You will learn as you go. I know a few LBS here offer classes for free (on both riding and maintainence)to give some help to those interested, maybe ask around and see..... How about a local club? As far as the rack goes.. I love my Yakima roof rack amd recomend them to everyone....... What kind of biking have you done so far/before?

I use clipless on my road bike....But with the technical stuff I do I stick to nice pateform pedals on my MTB!! I have been beaten to many times by my clipless(part of that is I always try to ride it out..) Congrats on the new bike!

I couldnt get the rear mounting bike rack that I wanted, so I got two roof rack types.

I have my camelback, inside is my first aid kit, along with sun cream, tiger balm, deep heat, some anti hystamen, and some anti inflamatories, spare glasses, tools, cell phone, wallet, keys and my TomTom mobile gps.

It is all the same stuff i take skiboarding......

Everything sounds good, except for one bit. Depending on where you lock up, don't use a cable lock. Get a good U-lock, and use the cable to run through the U and secure the front wheel.
But if you only lock in low-risk places, then I wouldn't worry about the cable lock.


(Where I live, ppl leave bikes leaned against the grocery carts inside the front of the store while they shop. No locks. It's just that safe a town for bikes.)

extra tube


Add one more tube or patch kit. I had a day with 2 flats last season. ( and no flats for the next 4 months).

or carry a pair of rollerblades on your backpack and carry the bike back if you get a puncture ;)

OK speaking of flats - I know for weight weinies they won't like this suggetion... but I always have trouble getting enough air back in my tires after a flat if I can't use a floor pump so I carry, in my Camelbak, a Tpeak pump - the Mountain Morph - It's fairly lightweight and small - it's the only portable pump I know that I actually can get enough air in my tires. It's not cheap but well worth it. I know people like CO2 and I use it on my road bike but it doesn't work all that well for me on a mountain bike. But I'm a girl so maybe I'm not doing things right.

the Mountain Morph - It's fairly lightweight and small - it's the only portable pump I know that I actually can get enough air in my tires. It's not cheap but well worth it. I know people like CO2 and I use it on my road bike but it doesn't work all that well for me on a mountain bike. But I'm a girl so maybe I'm not doing things right.

Nah, it's because most mini pumps just don't work that well.

On bikes with low pressure tires, I usually carry a cheap mini pump 'cause they're good enough to get the job done, and besides, elbow grease is cheaper than CO2. On a road bike, it's either CO2 or a full sized frame pump.