1. Protect Your Hands and Feet
Besides a bike, there is other mountain biking gear that might make your ride a little more enjoyable. Cycling gloves with padding reduce impact and jarring, and help you keep your grip when you're sweating or it's wet outside. Clip-in cycling shoes make climbing and maneuvering easier, and with some practice, are no problem to get out of.
2. Stay Hydrated
A vast majority of mountain bikers use hydration packs. While you're off in the woods mountain biking, you have to stay hydrated, and with no place to refill, that means you have to bring your drinks with you. For rides longer than an hour or so, you will need more than the two water bottles a standard bike carries. Hydration packs are backpacks that hold large quantities of water. They also keep your water cool, and use ventilation to keep your back from getting sweaty against the pack.
3. Dress to Protect
The only necessary piece of clothing when you ride a mountain bike is a good pair of cycling shorts. Mountain biking shorts have padding in all the right areas so that you avoid injury from all the time you spend in the saddle. These come in several fits, from tight to loose, and in every color imaginable. Investing in a good pair of shorts is worth the money, since a cheaper pair will leave your rear end sore and you won't be able to ride until it heals. Mountain biking jerseys, while not necessary, are far superior to cotton T-shirts because they wick sweat, resist tearing so you don't get as scratched up, and are much more breathable.
4. Saddle Up With a Bag
Invest in a zippered saddle bag to store your biking gear and repair equipment. A saddle bag goes underneath your seat and attaches with Velcro and snaps to stay there securely. In your saddle bag, keep a stock of repair equipment, including a spare tube or two, a combination bike tool for repairs, and either pressurized air canisters and the delivery chambers or a pump. It's also a good idea to keep a small first aid kit just in case you have a spill. Saddle bags are roomy enough to hold all of this equipment and still have room for snack bars, gels or other small things you bring.
5. Safety Starts at Your Head
Your helmet is the most important piece of mountain bike equipment you own. Helmets save lives of bikers every day. Make sure your helmet is fitted properly so it doesn't move around on your head, and that the chin strap is securely but comfortably fastened around your chin.
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