Gear & Bike Recommendations

NO THAT'S NOT A REMOVABLE CHIN BAR! This happened on a beginner trail, where the advanced rider was caught out when his front tire got grabbed by sand. I've lost count of how many clients have thanked me for talking them into wearing a helmet like this

From an expert rider who has ridden "Blood Rock" many times. He just made a mistake this one time.

I will start out giving some advice on Helmets because I think that is the most important. And then after that, I will list most of the other things clients ask me about.

Good mountain bike instructors never crash right? I wish that were the case, but the truth is, it is from my crashes that I have partially learned what not to do, and that is some of the most valuable information that I can pass on to my clients.

If I hadn't had the white helmet on (pictured at the very top of this page) when I crashed on an easy trail (a trail that the NICA kids race on), then I would probably be in a long-term care facility today. I'm not kidding.

If you buy a helmet with a detachable chin guard, then don't take off the face protection. That is like having a car with a great seat belt and not wearing the belt when you are only two blocks from home.

The next picture of the red and black Met is also telling. Had I not had this helmet on, I would have lost the lower part of my cheek, as you can see from how the scratches on the helmet go much lower than what a traditional cross country lid would cover. The helmet is cracked inside (not pictured), so it did its job; thank God. I have more stories than I can count of riders doing well in a crash when they had a helmet with face protection; and, unfortunately, I also have more stories than I can count of riders who did not do well in a crash with a half shell.

Don't buy a full downhill helmet with no or few vents unless you plan on using it for downhill instead of trail riding, regardless of how good of a deal you get on it, because it will be way too hot and heavy for trail riding or XC. I have worn 4 different brands of light duty full faces over the years, and the bottom line is I like the 7 Protection Project 23 Carbon for temperatures fewer than 70 degrees, and my Kali Invader or my Troy Lee Designs Stage when the temps are 70 degrees or higher because they both are substantially cooler than the 7 Protection. The Kali has even more vents than the TLDs, so it is the coolest of the three, but the 7Protection offers the most protection of the three. The saying when I was a kid riding moto was, "If you have a $10 head, then buy a $10 helmet."

2. Most bikes are too expensive not to have a bash guard to protect the frame and chain ring. If you are worried about dropping a chain, get this one. If not, then you can get this one. MRP makes the best bash guards; and I have run them on all my bikes for years. Bike Link is a local shop where you can purchase and have the correct bash guard for you bike installed.

3 For bars I don't run carbon bars--only aluminum because I have heard and seen too many horror stories of carbon bars breaking and causing crashes. I plan on trying Tag Metals aluminum bars. Cahaba Cycles carries Tag Metals components. When the time comes to upgrade your complete bike, let me know; and I may be able to give you some insight. Every bike company and style of bike has its own pros and cons. I've owned Giant, Specialized, GT, Banshee, Santa Cruz, Pivot, Transition, Trek and Yeti. I can give you the pros and cons on each brand that I have experienced. As expensive as mountain bikes are, how a company follows through on warranty issues is very important. Some of the above listed companies have done better than others. Bottle cages: the best bottle cages out there, and I've tried a bunch and lost a bunch of bottles, is King Cage.

5 On dropper posts, go with the most drop your frame will allow. SRAM AXS is my first choice, but I would bet that Fox has great wireless options also. Your local bike shop can help you find the right one to fit your bike.

6 I was always skeptical of bike fits when it came to a mountain bike, but John Karrasch has fit me on many of my mountain bikes, and I can tell a difference.

7 If you decide to try flat pedals in order to dial in more technical features first before you hit them clipped in, then I definitely recommend wearing shin guards with those flat pedals. Anything but soccer shin guards are too hot for many climates. I like the ones pictured in the link at the bottom of this page because they are the coolest in terms of temperature. You will also need a pair of guard lock sleeves (link at the bottom of this page) to put them in. I wear a large in these, so they are true to size.

8 This is not gear, but I'm frequently asked what my Bucket List Worthy Trails are.

9 For shoes for flat pedals I prefer Ride Concepts; you can purchase these through Cahaba Cycles. I also put Powerstep insoles in the shoes to add stiffness and decrease chances of plantar fasciitis (link and picture at the bottom of this page). If your local running store has these in stock, please support them. If you have never had plantar fasciitis, you don't want it. It is much easier to prevent than it is to heal. For the actual flat pedals themselves I like Tag Medals nylon pedals.

10 For knee & elbow pads for basic trail rides in the heat, I like POC Joint VPD System Knee and POC Joint VPD System Elbow. These are best for hot conditions. For more reasonable temperatures, the POC Joint VPD 2.0 knee and 7Protection Flex elbow with double elastic wraps add a lot more protection without being an overkill. These are all expensive sets of pads, but as I get older I realize how valuable both my knees and elbows are. POC's size chart puts me at the top of a medium, but I had to go with the large for the knee and the medium for the elbow. 7Protection is true to size. 7Protection is more reasonably priced than Poc. 7protection Flex elbow is good for enduro or downhill application.

11 Some customers have asked me about my pack and the contents of my pack:

My favorite pack has been the Camelback Skyline 10L because it sits low on the back to reduce lower back pain. Three liters of water is enough for most rides for even a water hog like me. The only problem with this pack is it seems to wear out pretty fast. So now I'm running the Evoc Hip Pack Race 3L. It is my favorite. When I have to carry a lot of gear like I do when I teach, I use the Evoc Enduro Team. One thing I like about this pack over the Skyline and the hip pack is it has a spine protector. That spine protector also shields my spine against the tools in my pack. It also has enough room to carry winter gloves, a lunch, and whatever you didn't think you would need on that long, backcountry ride. Of course, for cross country or for trail rides where you don't have to bring very much with you, the enduro is an overkill. That is why I use the Evoc hip pack. None of these Evoc bags are cheap, but they are an investment to be used over the years. Evoc can be purchased at Cahaba Cycles.

Now for pack contents:

2 cliff bars

2 gels

2 tubes

Multi tool

Pump

CO2

First aid kit

Windbreaker

In cold weather, extra pair of gloves and toe warmers and extra head covering

SRAM quick links

Derailleur hanger and tools to replace it

2 tire tools

Valve stem cores

Splint in case someone breaks an arm

Glasses wipe

Zip ties

Rubber bands

Guerilla tape

Extra $

Toilet paper

Brake pads

Singulator device to help make full suspension into single speed in case derailleur is destroyed

Tire boots

Dyno plug system in case I have a tire puncture

A straw-type water filter in case I were to run out of water on a hot day

12 For riding clothes, Club Ride has had some good stuff!

13 As for racks, I would choose the Kuat. I've also owned Yakima and One Up in the past. I have major concerns about how secure One Up racks are when mounted to the vehicle's hitch. They use a velcro strap. Plus, Kuat has much better customer service than One Up. Cahaba Cycles and St Matthews Cycling are two LBS that carry Kuat.

14 suspension If you ever have to replace your suspension or if you ever decide to build up a bike and would like a good fork and shock, then I would look into both Cane Creek and the MRP.

I have run two different Cane Creek coil shocks on two different bikes, and they were a night and day difference compaired to the stock Sram air shocks.

Most MRP and Cane Creek products are made in the good 'ole USA. MRP is made in Colorado and Cane Creek is made in North Carolina. Both companies have provided me with great customer service.

And I know headsets don't fall under suspension, but while I'm mentioning Cane Creek, I also have to say I've had really good luck with their headsets.

For suspension service, I recommend Bike Link

16 If you ever decide to upgrade your wheels, then Industry Nine and Nox are all solid companies.

17. Many riders have asked me about my van build, so here is a video on the exterior and one on the Interior. Here is one on my cargo carrier box and Kuat bike rack.

18. For race training plans, especially for XC and endurance racing, diet, bike fit, mobility, stretching, and strength conditioning, please contact my friends over at Ordinary Epics

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If you don't mind, please try to buy bikes, components, and accessories through your favorite local bike shop and mention to them that I encouraged you to do it that way instead of buying it all at discounted prices online. This will not only help the local shop stay in business, but it will also help me to establish good relationships with all the shops in communities where I teach skills. Thanks so much!

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