MTB: Basic Gear to get you started

Getting a good helmet is the most important piece. Safety is everything. It does not mean that you have to buy the most expensive. Just make sure you are buying a new helmet with at least the minimum safety features (like MIPS). Don’t try to put your entire budget into a bike without considering a decent helmet first.

A good entry level helmet could cost anywhere from $100-200 CAD. Some good brands to search for are Specialized, POC, Giro, Giant, Smith, etc.

Check your local bike shops for other recommendations. You could even find better helmets from prior seasons that are discounted once a new design is launched.

• Helmets expire after a few years, typically 3-5 years. Check the manufacturer’s website to get information on your specific helmet. This is due to materials degrading with exposure to the elements. Note that some manufacturers count the years starting from when it is delivered to the customer. They don’t account for the time while it is sitting in a box in a warehouse. So the manufacturing date listed on the helmet could be past the manufacturer’s expiration timeframe and still be considered good. Make sure you confirm how they define expiration before buying.
• If you crash and your helmet receives an impact it is no longer usable. It compromises the safety measures put into the helmet and it will not guarantee to work on future impacts. Make sure you are not tossing your helmet to the floor or hard surfaces when not in use as well.
• If you are planning to ride both Road and MTB, consider buying a helmet that works for both disciplines, especially if you are riding XC. I personally have used POC and KASK helmets that have some products that work for both. They could be a little more expensive but that way you only buy 1 instead of 2 helmets. If you are mostly mixing Road with Enduro or Downhill then I would recommend getting specific gear for each discipline, as you probably need a full-face helmet as well.

Glasses can be clear or tinted to various degrees that can offer sun protection. I would recommend starting with clear or light tinting, especially if you are riding in areas with lots of tree coverage. Many brands sell tinted glasses that come with an additional clear glass, this way you can swap them based on the lighting conditions.

The price range is very wide, it can go from 70 to over 300 CAD, you can start with a cheaper pair and upgrade as you progress. Some brands offer more advanced glasses that can adjust their tinting based on the lighting conditions.

Now that you have a safe helmet, the next step is to ensure proper hydration during the ride. Depending on how long I plan to ride I might carry 1 to 2 bottles on my bottle cages. This will depend on how many cages your bike can fit. Both the bottles and the bottle cages could start at around $15-25 CAD per item. As usual, you could certainly spend much more than that for ‘better’ brands but you don’t need to. 

If you prefer to not add cages to your bike, you can consider getting a small hydration bag, just consider that these are a little more expensive and start at around $80 CAD. The benefit is that if you have multiple bikes you can use it for all rides regardless of your bottle cage setup on each bike. You can also use it for non-cycling related adventures, although that also applies to the bottles.

Do not underestimate the power of good hydration during your ride, this will also add to the long term enjoyment of your rides as you will not constantly end your rides feeling parched or overheated.

The general guideline for outdoor activities is that you should apply a sweat or water-resistant sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF on your face, neck, and other exposed areas at least 20 minutes before heading out. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours depending on the level of activity. Given that during a ride we tend to sweat a lot, reapplication is encouraged for longer rides. 

I know this is not very realistic as it would entail carrying extra sunscreen during our ride, but at the very least, make sure you are getting prover coverage on your first application before heading out. Also, sunscreen is needed year-round, even during Winter!

These are lycra-based items that are meant to be worn without underwear and are the only bottom piece you would wear.

A good pair of padded shorts or pants could start at around $80 CAD, but they can run all the way to $200-300 CAD depending on the brand and the quality of the padding. I have been using Gobik for years and really like them. Gobik’s backroom is a good place to check for discounts. Try checking at your local bike shop for discounted items from prior seasons.

If you prefer to wear loose MTB clothes and not lycra, you could get a padded liner to wear underneath your riding shorts and pants.

This would be a cheaper option if you already have some clothing that you could use for riding. These liners are also meant to be worn without underwear.