mudfly.com
Sponsored Mountain Biking Gear Results:
Mountain Bikes » Mountain Bike Parts » Mountain Biking Gear

Mountain Biking Gear: Helmets, Shorts, Shoes And Clothing

By:

Published: April 2, 2007

Every avid mountain biker knows that the mountain bike experience is not complete without the proper mountain biking gear. Mountain biking gear provides both comfort on the bike path and protection from the elements while biking. Mounting biking gear includes mountain bike clothing, mountain bike helmets, bike shorts, and mountain bike shoes.

The most important piece of mountain biking gear are mountain bike helmets. Mountain bike helmets protect the biker's head from injury as well as environmental elements such as moisture, the sun, or low hanging branches.

Mountain bike helmets come in three styles: sport, mountain, and road. Sport helmets are best suited for general daily riders in normal terrain. The mountain bike helmet is necessary mountain biking gear for riders who encounter rough terrain, while road helmets are more aerodynamic and usually reserved for riders who typically bike on the open road.

One of the most popular mountain biking gear brands is Bell. Bell makes mountain bike helmets for both toddlers, children, and adults and can be found in any price range. The toddler  helmets cost around $30, as do the helmets designed for kids. Adult helmets range from $50 for the one size fits all helmet designed for the beginner mountain biker, to $105 for an adjustable, vented helmet for a more experienced mountain biker.

Mountain bike clothing is another important component of mountain biking gear. A particular item of clothing that will provide for a more comfortable ride is the bike shorts. Bike shorts are lightweight, and usually made of a stretchy material such as spandex. This helps keep the shorts in place and inhibits the rider having to adjust in the middle of a ride.

Bike shorts are mountain biking gear designed to prevent saddle-rash. Saddle-rash is the chafing of the thighs from the friction caused by the peddling and bicycle seat. Shorts come with built in padding in order to provide protection. If the mountain bike clothing spandex shorts are not preferable to the rider, bike shorts are available in a more traditional style. These bike shorts include pockets and are a looser fit

Popular mountain biking gear brands that design shorts are Assos Prosline Bib Shorts, Dainese Impact, and FoxRacing 711. The Assos Prosline Bib Shorts are comfortable, and cost between $160 - $200, making them a costly, yet worthwhile investment. They provide supreme comfort for long bike rides. The Dainese Impact bike shorts are available in black, and feature an anti-bacterial CoolMax seat. At $45 - $50, these shorts are a much less costly option for bike riders. The Fox Racing 711 bike shorts are well-made, and hold up to crashes and the elements. Because they are only $55, they are one of the best options for bike shorts.

Mountain biking gear should include one more article of mountain bike clothing: the mountain bike shoe. The mountain bike shoe can be found with a cleat or without a cleat. Generally, the shoes with the cleat snap into the pedal, while those without a cleat have a strap on the pedal that holds the foot in place. The cleat on the shoe provides the foot from slipping from the pedal in rough terrains.

A popular mountain biking gear brand that designs comfortable, inexpensive shoes is  AXO Dually. The AXO Dually mountain bike shoe is available in a color palette including navy, white, and black. It runs generally around $40, and is stylish, while at the same time being functional due to its reinforced upper. For those with more to invest in mountain biking gear, a proper mountain bike shoe is the Vittoria Rock, which is available in a sassy silver and costs $200. The Vittoria Rock is lightweight with a good grip and support.

Once all of the proper mountain biking gear and mountain bike clothing have been chosen, the rider is ready to go out on his or her journey. The protection provided by the mountain biking gear combined with the general cautiousness of the rider should ensure a secure ride that returns the rider safe and sound. Mountain biking gear is designed to provide both comfort and protection and ensures that riders experience a more enjoyable ride.


Sources:
Bicycle Helmets Reviews. ConsumerSearch. 2007.  29 Mar.2007.  http://www.consumersearch.com/www/sports_and_leisu re/bicycle-helmet-reviews/index.html.
Shorts Reviews, Specs, and Shopping Information. ConsumerREVIEW.com. 1996-2007.  29 Mar. 2007.  http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/shorts/.
Giro Remedy FF Mountain Bike Helmet. REI.com. 14 Feb. 2007.  http://www.rei.com/product/731980
Biking Gear.  Biking Destinations.com. 14 Feb. 2007.  http://www.bikingdestinations.com/bikinggear.htm.< br />Tisue, Kevin. “Necessary Mountain Biking Accessories.” About: Mountain Biking. 2007. About, Inc. 14 Feb. 2007.  http://mountainbike.about.com/od/howtogetstarted/a /Bike_Acc.htm.
Featured Mountain Biking Gear Products: