Equipment

Please contact Brian LeBlanc bleblanc@ndoracing.org if you have any questions regarding equipment.  I'm happy to answer them!  This list is designed to be comprehensive for parents that aren't sure what to buy.  Not everything on this list is a requirement.

• Helmet

  • A well fitting helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment in mountain biking.  Nobody will be allowed to ride without this equipment.  There are many manufacturers such as fox racing, poc, specialized, smith, and others.  Mountain bike specific helmets provide additional head coverage which delivers additional safety.  Falls on mountain bikes are more common than cruising your local neighborhood.  Examples are on backcountry.com:  https://www.backcountry.com/cat/mountain-bike-helmets.  A good helmet should cost under $150.  More expensive options are typically just lighter.

• Bike

  • A hard tail (front but not rear suspension) bike is fine for NDO racing.  Most male athletes at the olympics are racing on hard tails.  We recommend a newer bike with 1x12 drivetrain (one chain ring in the front) and hydraulic disc brakes.  A dropper post (seat post that can be moved while riding from controls mounted to handlebars) is recommended but not required for additional safety and confidence.  An example would be a Trek Marlin 7 which currently retails for $1200.

  • A full suspension bike is what most serious mountain bikers graduate to as they get older or more experienced.  Full suspension provides additional cushioning while riding over bumpy terrain.  The recommendations are the same as a hard tail:  1x12 drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and dropper post.  An example would be an Ibis Ripley which currently retails for $3500.

  • Tires:  we recommend trail or cross country rated mountain bike tires.  A new trend in mountain biking is what is known as tubeless tires.  Tubeless tires do not have a tube and instead use sealant to maintain the bond between the tire and the rim.  Tubeless tires are much less prone to flats than bikes with tubes.  Most modern mountain bikes over $1000 are tubeless compatible but may not be sold with a tubless setup.  Any local bike shop can tell you if your bike supports tubeless sealant and can convert your bike to using tubeless sealant and valves for minimal cost.  Good tire options can be found at your local bike shop or ordered online and installed by a local bike shop.

  • We do not recommend rigid bikes (no suspension), huffy bikes, walmart bikes, bikes purchased at flea markets, or a bike manufactured more than 7 years ago.  Bikes have changed a lot and have become much safer over time.  These types of bikes are heavy, will create safety risks, and seriously decrease your athlete's enjoyment while riding.  Please contact Brian LeBlanc bleblanc@ndoracing.org or a good local bike shop if aren't sure what to purchase.

• Hydration

  • Athletes will need to carry their own water and snacks during races as well as practice.  Most bikes are able to hold a water bottle cage but bikes are typically sold without this item.  The bottle cage and bottle can be purchased at a local bike shop or on amazon.com.

• Backpack

  • Another option is to use a camel bak in a backpack so that they can drink water while riding and without taking hands off the handlebars.  "Teton Oasis/Trailrunner Hydration Backpack" is a great option available on amazon.com for $40.  Other options may be found at a store like REI.  This is not required if you use a water bottle and put snacks in your pockets.

• Flat tire repair kit

  • Athletes are recommended but nore required to have their own flat tire repair kit.  This includes the following:  tube that fits your bike and a hand pump.  Coaches and most athletes will have these in the most common sizes but it's still a good idea to have your own kit.

• Bike pedals

  • You can use flat pedals (what most people think of with standard bike pedals) or you can use clipless pedals.  Clipless pedals are a bit of a misnomer.  Clipless pedals involve shoes with a cleat on the bottom that allows your foot to clip in and out of the pedal.  Many riders find that this creates additional power and speed.

• Glasses

  • Glasses provide eye protection from sticks while riding in the woods and are recommended.  You can find some cheaper options on amazon.com by searching for mountain bike glasses.  ROCK BROS makes some great options for $25.  Oakley makes additional options that are more expensive but will have similar level of function.

• Gloves

  • Gloves are optional but recommended.  Hands tend to be cold at the start of the season and then become sweaty as temperatures rise.  Sweaty hands create a safety risk if your athlete cannot hold onto the handlebars.  A cheap option is work gloves that you can purchase at the local hardware store.  A slightly more expensive option is to purchase mountain bike specific gloves that are either full finger or with cut off fingers.  Troy Lee Designs makes some great options that can be purchased on amazon.

• Shoes

  • Sneakers will work fine with flat pedals.  Some athletes find that mountain bike specific shoes have stiffer soles and provide additional grip and power while riding.  These can be purchased at a local bike shop.  Goodale's in Nashua, NH carries many options.  They are also known as Trek Nashua.

  • Riders using clipless pedals will need cycling shoes which can be purchased at a local bike shop.  There is a sneaker style as well as a cycling style.  The only recommendation is to choose a style with some treads on the bottom.  Racing often requires pushing your bike when you cannot ride.  Some of the pure road shoes have a perfectly smooth bottom which is not optimal in a mountain bike race.  Goodale's in Nashua, NH carries many options.  They are also known as Trek Nashua.

• Shirt

  • Athletes ARE required to wear the official NDO Racing jersey for races.  There are several styles available.  NEYC sells jerseys with the NEYC logo if your athlete is not able to order with the team order from Voler.  NEYC does not allow athletes to race without an official NEYC jersey.  More communication will be provided regarding jerseys closer to the season.

  • T-shirts or cycling jerseys are fine for practice.  We recommend dry-fit synthetic jerseys and not cotton.  Cotton will make your athlete cold if they sweat on a cold day.

  • Long sleeve cycling jerseys can be more comfortable on cooler days.  There are many options available on amazon.com or you can purchase our official race jerseys.

• Rain jacket

  • We will practice in light rain and this style of jacket can provide additional thermal protection on cold days as a windbreaker.  This is not required.  "baleaf Men's Rain Jacket Waterproof Windbreaker" is a good option on amazon.com for $55.

• Shorts/pants

  • Any shorts or pants are fine for practice.  Shorts or pants with pockets that zip are often helpful for holding phones, wallets, or other items on the trail.  You can find some budget options that will work well on amazon.com by searching for mountain bike shorts. 

• Chamois

  • Most athletes wear padded shorts or a chamois under a pair of shorts.  A chamois is typically spandex and has a padding to make being on a bike saddle more comfortable.  Sponeed makes some budget options that can be found on amazon.com by searching for sponeed bike shorts.

  • Voler provides our official uniforms.  They have a version that has the NDO Racing name and logo on it.  They are significantly more expensive and NOT a required part of the uniform to race.

• Bug Spray

  • There are typically no bugs on April 1 but as the temperatures rise we will reach a point where bug spray will be necessary.  Bug spray also provides some basic tick prevention but we still recommend checking for ticks after all rides.

• Bike Transportation

  • The cheapest option for bike transportation is to transport it in the back of a pickup truck.  You can either put a single bike in the bed of a pickup or there are pads from several different manufacturers for the tailgate that allow you to secure 2-4 bikes in the back of a truck.

  • Bikes can typically be moved in the cargo area of an SUV if you remove the front wheel.  Some bikes require tools if they have a through axle and others simply unscrew by hand.

  • The next cheapest option is a trunk rack.  These racks can be removed when not in use.  Mountain bikes have a frame design that can make it difficult to use this style of rack without an adapter.  The bike ends up hanging diagonally with one tire near the ground.  Bikes will also often rub against each other if transporting multiple bikes which is not desirable with expensive bikes.

  • Roof racks will work but mountain bikes are often heavy and hard to lift onto the roof of any vehicle taller than a car.

  • The next option which is most common for serious bike enthusiasts is a hitch mount bike rack.  These racks are more expensive but they allow for transporting either 2 or 4 bikes without bikes rubbing against each other.  The Thule XTR Pro is a good option and can be purchased at REI in New Hampshire (no taxes).  They typically go on sale for 20% off once or twice per year.