| Mountain bikers need only two things | | | | the methods necessary to fix the various |
| when they go biking - a good bike and a | | | | things that can go wrong with your bike. |
| good helmet. But there's dozens of other | | | | Bike accessories What kinds of |
| pieces of equipment which riders should | | | | accessories can you get on your bike? |
| stock up on to increase their enjoyment | | | | There's such a thing as rear view |
| of the sport. When you're out on your | | | | mirrors, although these are more popular |
| mountain bike, the only things you | | | | among road cyclists than mountain |
| really need to have, apart from a bike | | | | bikers. The same goes for horns or bells |
| suited to the terrain over which you're | | | | to let people know you're behind them. |
| writing, are a helmet and goggles. | | | | Also available are bike lights, powerful |
| Everything else can really be considered | | | | ones for use when you want to tear down |
| accessories, although they're the type | | | | the trail at night. Bike clothes Road |
| of accessories that it also important to | | | | cyclists normally wear tight fitting |
| have. But let's consider mountain biking | | | | cycle shorts and a tight fitting jersey, |
| equipment from the ground up. Bike | | | | whereas mountain bike riders do have a |
| storage Where do you keep your bike when | | | | tendency to look a bit baggy. The more |
| you're not riding? If you live in an | | | | clothes a mountain biker wears the |
| apartment where space is at a premium, | | | | better, actually, as they can serve to |
| it's always best to hang the bike in a | | | | cushion falls. Rather than depending on |
| hall, either on the wall or suspended | | | | those clothes, however, you can also |
| from the ceiling. (Anyone remember | | | | stock up on knee, shin, leg, arm, and |
| seeing that bike hanging from the | | | | elbow guards. Gloves are also an |
| ceiling in the classic Seinfeld | | | | essential, as they'll protect the hands |
| television series?) If you're fortunate | | | | from road burn, not to mention |
| to have a garage, there's plenty of | | | | increasing the grip on the bike. Bike |
| places to store a bike, but since | | | | security We live in a world where |
| chances are you don't have a kick stand | | | | unattended bikes will quite often |
| on your mountain bike, the best thing to | | | | disappear. That may not be much of a |
| do is have a bike stand in which to | | | | bother if its only a $20 "beater", but |
| place it. Placing bikes in a stand also | | | | when it's a mountain bike worth hundreds |
| simply makes the garage look neater. | | | | of dollars the loss stings a bit more. |
| Bike tools Do you want to do your own | | | | Sturdy bike locks are a must. It's |
| bike repairs? If so, it'll make it a lot | | | | possible to put transponders into bikes |
| easier on you if you not only have the | | | | so that they can be tracked if they're |
| small tools made for the purpose, but | | | | stolen. Police use this with "bait" |
| also a large tool - to be exact a truing | | | | bikes. However, various companies are |
| stand, which will help you true your | | | | working towards making GPS tracking |
| wheels on occasion. When you're out on | | | | devices to put on real bikes. They'll |
| the trail you may have a flat, so of | | | | probably be on the market in a few |
| course you'll want to bring a bundle of | | | | years. |
| tools with you. But it's not enough for | | | | Alastair Hamilton loves writing for . |
| you to have the tools - you also have to | | | | For additional information on cycling |
| know how to use them. So take some time | | | | equipment or mountain bike reviews |
| after purchasing those tools to work | | | | subjects have a look at his web. |
| with them and familiarize yourself with | | | | |