Comments & advice after my first ever Mountain Bike Purchase

Phil Gr

Phil Gr

Phil Gr

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Joined
30 Nov 2003
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426
Location
In a house
Well today after a trip to the local bike shop i picked up these

Specialized Rockhopper Disc (Me)
SpecRockhopper.jpg


Commencal Combi Disc (Mrs Gr)
combi_08.jpg


these are our first ever mountain bikes

so i'm looking for comments, & advice, what extra bits do i need, helmet, gloves, etc.. what do ppl recommend.

advice on getting my fitness up for getting the most out of them

thanks in advance

Phil G
 
for helmets go to a few different bike shops and try on as many as you can. nothing worse than wearing a helmet thats not comfortable
 
Cheers for the replies guys :)

I live on the west cumbrian coast, lake district is 15 min in the car.

I have on my list of stuff to get :-

Helmet, Pump, repair kit & tools, small back pack

as this is my first bike since a BMX 25 years ago, and my fitness level is ZERO any advice on getting my fitness level back, i recon im about 1 stone overweight

Cheers guys
 
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Things like helmets and gloves are very personal, find ones that fit comfortably, and look for a BS kitemarked helmet. I've used Bell and Giro helmets, currently with the Giro. I tried just about all the helmets in stock when I bought it and it felt the most comfortable.

I use a combination of different gloves which is mostly weather dependant. I use roadie fingerless in the summer, and some windproof things when it's a bit cooler. Now though I'm in some full winter/waterproof/thermals. I tend to try and buy Chiba gloves as they seem to fit better, but stockists are limited, and you might like other fits. Again, go and try loads on.


As for fitness and getting the most out of them, start slow, and don't head for the big hills for a bit if your fitness level is low. Look for "Family Friendly" green and blue trails in the marked paths. The bikes you posted will tackle anything not too gnarly at a sensible speed, but it's best not to attempt anything that will get you into trouble before you have built a sufficient level of skill.

Places like Grizedale have plenty of distance at this grade and it's not too far from you. Look at OS maps of the local area and find local trails for those time when you just want to be out without "going out for a day".

If you go out with the Mrs, and your fitness levels are different, stick together. Try and make sure that one of you doesn't disappear down the trail and is left sat waiting for the other. There's a time for being macho and showing your mates your the fittest, but there isn't much point in doing that with the other half (or if she is humiliating you).

I wouldn't bother about being overweight, it's fitness that matters. Some of my mates are considerably more overweight than me, but they still leave me for dead up hills.

I carry with me 2 spare tubes, a mini pump, a top peak multi tool and some type levers (the ones one the multi tool snapped first time I used them). I don't bother with a repair kit, though I have had 3 punctures on a solo outing and needed a rescue by the wife (fortunately I usually am within 20 miles of home). I also carry some SRAM power links for chain repair (only needed them once in a long time, though but they are cheap and weigh nothing so I carry a few). I also carry 2 mini LED light things just in case I mistime a ride and it gets a bit dark (happens to me a lot in late summer). In the winter lights are on all the time, but I don't really use the MTB much in the dark.

At home I have loads of other stuff, including a track pump.

If you are out for a more than an hour or so, a drink should be taken, I prefer camelpak style carriers on the MTB, on the road l use bottles and cages.

If you are heading out on trails in the wet, you will get caked in mud. If you don't fancy that look at some form of mud catcher. People recommend crud catchers, I just get filthy.
 
I have a rockhopper its been a great bike, I didnt like the saddle so changed that but thats a personal thing, after a helmet I would get a pair of padded shorts.
 
Collected the bikes this morning

Got myself a helmet, Pump, 4 inner tubes, tyre levers, Repair Kit, AIO tool, gloves, and leggings

The Mrs is going to **** herself when she sees me in the leggings :)

just need to get my tubby ar$e out on it now :)
 
Phil Gr said:
Collected the bikes this morning

Got myself a helmet, Pump, 4 inner tubes, tyre levers, Repair Kit, AIO tool, gloves, and leggings

The Mrs is going to **** herself when she sees me in the leggings :)

just need to get my tubby ar$e out on it now :)
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Nowt wrong with winter tights for cycling - essential bit of kit for me.

If you head to Grizedale, watch out on the North Face Trail - the woodwork sections are lethal at times.
 
2 good choices there, I like the Commie :cool: Nearly got one of the last of the 08 v-brake Hoppers as an upgrade project myself but ran out of money.

Practice fixing a puncture! MTB tyres can be hard to remove if you don't know the tricks, and it's good to test the levers too, better to practice at home than up a hill in the rain.

You'll also want some cleaner stuff, and some chain lube- because I'm lazy I just use spray lube, which isn't too good but it's quick. But you've got to use something, or it'll just die in no time. You can buy bike specific cleaners like Muc Off but they're expensive, I've just started using Tesco's Daisy general cleaner and it's doing the job just as well.

Do you like to do your own spannering? The little Lifeline toolkit from Wiggle (£30) is brilliant for general maintenance, as good as you need and comes with most of the regularily used tools. Don't bother if you don't want to get your hands dirty mind.
 
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