Northwest Recreation

“So ya think you wanna mountain bike, huh?”  As the old “so ya think…” phrase goes, thinking about doing something and actually doing it are two very separate ideas.  Now that we’ve explored mountain biking and the fun you can have, let’s take a look at what you’ll actually need to get into mountain biking as a sport:

• Mountain Bike:  Definitely an essential to the sport!  You can plan on spending anywhere from $200 (cheap bike for gravel roads and light trail riding) to $7,000 (extreme downhill machine) on a bike.  Depending on what you want to do, you’ll want to match a bike with your budget.  You can spend $1000 and get a good bike that will take on almost anything you can throw at it.  I personally recommend either Trek or Specialized.
• Helmet:  Don’t go with the myth that it’ll never happen to you.  I’ve been taken off my bike by a tree when my head smashed into it after 4 foot jump.  Always play it safe!  A good helmet can range from $30-$250 easy.  Again, it depends what your needs are.  For light to moderate trail riding, I recommend a full-face helmet.
• Tools and Accessories:  Bare minimum, get a patch kit, pump, and bike multitool.  If you are racing, you’ll have it all toned down to you and your bike.  If you spend a day just trail riding, you’ll want a backpack full of stuff.  I personally carry an Outdoor Sports Glacier Pack II with a Cyclone Hydration Bladder, a first-aid kit, patch kit, two spare tubes, a pump, and survival pack.

To get into serious mountain biking, I would budget $1000-$1500 to acquire all the things you need.  After you’ve obtained the things you need, you’re ready to start the real fun!  Now that we’ve covered two introductions to mountain biking, stay tuned for trails, tips, and gear reviews!

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