Downhill mountain biking is all about speed and adrenaline-pumping fun; it can be completely terrifying but, at the same time, brilliant and exhilarating. You need to make sure you have a few pieces of equipment before you set out and begin downhill mountain biking. This article looks at the most basic equipment you need, excluding your downhill mountain bike.
Helmet
As with any other form of mountain bike riding, you’ll need a helmet to protect your head. If you come off and hit your head on the ground at high speeds without a helmet, the consequences could be life-limiting. For downhill mountain biking, you need to wear a full-face helmet, similar to a motorbike helmet. This is because of the added speed and danger that comes with DH races; a full-face helmet gives your head and face more protection. There are many helmets to choose from; the most expensive will be designed to protect your head but also be light and comfortable to wear. Always choose the best helmet you can afford; your head needs a good layer of protection. Your helmet should be snug but not too tight and not move around too easily. If you’re unsure, go and try on several different helmets and get advice from an expert on the fitting.
Shorts or pants
The right pair of mountain bike shorts or pants will provide you with some level of protection for your joints whilst also being comfortable and breathable. The main things to look out for when choosing MTB shorts for DH racing are they need to be tight on your legs to avoid getting caught in your bike, be comfortable to wear, have durable materials, and are not too restricting. The material for DH mountain biking is also important; they need to be able to withstand falls and keep your legs protected against cuts and bruises. You can get pants with knee pads integrated, or you can use separate knee pads that strap onto your legs over the pants. Your choice will depend on your preferences and budget.
Armor
If you want to minimize the risk of injury, you can choose to wear mountain bike armor. Some athletes do choose armor, whereas others prefer to ride without; they do this at their own risk. Those that have been in severe accidents will always recommend armor to any beginner riders. The basics are knee pads and elbow pads; you can then also step up the level of armor you use and opt for
MTB shoulder pads, back pads and even a neck brace. For athletes pushing themselves on very challenging and dangerous DH routes, full armor will boost their confidence and keep them protected if they do come off the bike. When you start riding, you should get used to wearing lots of armor. This will make it easier to continue to wear the armor when you step up and take on more challenging DH races.
Gloves
When you fall off your bike, your first reaction will be to put your hands down to protect yourself from the full extent of the fall. Your hands are likely to get many cuts and scrapes if you choose not to wear MTB gloves. The terrain on DH courses is rough and rocky, so your hands will get cut up pretty quickly. MTB gloves will protect your hands from cuts; some also include armor to further protect your joints from breaks and damage. When wearing MTB gloves, you’ll often find it much easier to keep hold of the handlebars as they’re designed to improve your grip.
Goggles
Goggles protect your eyes and a portion of your face from flying debris and dirt. This is common on a DH course; when traveling very quickly, the dirt and debris will often become dislodged and fly up into your face and eyes. It’s pretty much impossible to complete a DH route without goggles. High-quality goggles will offer ventilation to stop them from fogging up quickly and reducing the amount you can see. In addition, you can also buy MTB goggles with UV protection to protect your eyes from the sun. These are only needed if you’re participating in events where the weather is likely to be hot and sunny.
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