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Rob Martin CSCS, has a Pro XC MTB License through USA Cycling, get cycling training from him today. Also Personalized Mountain Bike Coaching! He has put together getting started mountain biking tips just for you! Read on to get mountain biking advice.

Bike Life with Rob
  • Home
  • Personalized Coaching
  • Complete Cycling Packages
  • Getting Started in MTB
  • Get Some Gear!
  • How I Ride, Race, Park
  • Reviews & Testimonials
  • Unpacking the Athlete Pod

GETTING STARTED IN MTB! Getting Started Mountain Biking with these tips!

Cycling Must Haves - Mountain Biking 101

Here are some Cycling Products and great books that I love!  Most of the products here are things that you will need if you are serious about cycling, if you are all about saving money in the long term, if you want to stay warm in the winter or any weather, if you want to learn how to maintain your own bike, if you want to save time and not research on your own, and if you want to become a better cyclist.  This is mountain biking 101!!  To connect better with us, head over to the YOUTUBE channel Bike Like with Rob and MTB&MEPOV!


On the YouTube pages you will come on biking adventures, be immersed in epic races, see cool cycling products that work, take a venture in the VanLife, explore new singletracks, watch and learn how to be a better cyclists, as well as many other entertaining bike related topics.


Supplements I use DAILY!

Join the RIDE OR DIE Facebook Page

Riding a bike is the best way to improve your health and longevity, afterall, it is something you can do your whole life. 


Why RIDE OR DIE?


Ride your bike so you don't spend too much time in your life dying.


Ride your bike so you don't die too early.


Be the best version of yourself by getting on a bike, any bike that you can pedal and get your heart rate going!


Find the FACEBOOK PAGE RIDE OR DIE to stay connected, learn about ways to improve your cycling, improve your life, learn what gear you may need, what bike is the best for you, get secrets for being faster on the bike, get information on how to recover faster, join us for group rides, increase the time you spend during your life being healthy, and much much more!  


RIDE OR DIE FACEBOOK PAGE

Bikes and Vehicles

The Pivot Bike Rack which moves the bikes out of the way of the back of your vehicle, is perfect for SUV’s, Trucks and vans!     



The 2 or 4 bike rack that is easy to use and built to last. 


If you have a truck, this will hold up to 6 bikes on your tailgate.



Cover your bikes on those nasty days with a bike cover to keep the salt and water off.  


The 12V Cooler keeps your food and drink cold without the need for ice, it’s a portable refrigerator!  



Vacuum for keeping your vehicle clean after dirt adventures! Perfect size for the vehicle.  

Great Reads

A great book for planning out rides in the US,  Epic Bike Rides of the Americas.   


A great book for planning rides at different places around the world, Epic Bike Rides of the World. 


Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die, make sure you read this one. 


If your goal is to get faster and stronger on the bike, The Cyclists Training Bible.


Another book with great training secrets.


To up your mental game with this book which can propel you further toward your goals. 


Get better on your MTB with this book, Mastering Mountain Bike Skills.


If you are over 50 or getting close, this is a great read, Fast After 50.


Save yourself some money with this book, The Art of MTB Maintenance. 


A full year of personal training in this book for less than $10!

The Toolkit

Bike stand for repairs and cleaning your ride! 


Hex set.


Torque Wrench Set for that carbon bike.


Multi tool!!  Everyone needs one or two of these. 


Starter Tool set


Pro Park Tool set.


Bike Pump to keep your tires inflated properly. 


Air Compressor to seat tubeless tires.


Bike tire lever with knuckle protection.


The best pliers.


Seal up those tubeless tires with sealant.


Sealant injector


Valve Core remover.


Don’t get stuck without a tire patch kit. 


Tire pressure gauge


Fat tire pressure gauge.


DRY chain lube


WET chain lube.


Environmentally friendly fork cleaner.


Clean your bike with this great stuff, keep it looking brand new. 


Bike Cleaning Brush Kit, also has chain cleaning tool. 


Heavy duty Cleaner for that chain, chainring, cassette and pedals. 

On the Trail Kit

Cycling Hip Pack for carrying all your just in case gear. 


Cycling Hip Pack with 2 water bottle holders for carrying gear.  


Hydration backpack plus gear carrying.


Replacement reservoir for hydration pack, always good to have an extra.


Hydration Vest for carrying gear.


Multi tool!!  Everyone needs one or two of these. 


Handheld portable bike tire pump for keeping in your hip or back pack.  


CO2 inflator for that quick inflation during race.


Mini Electric Bike Pump! Save your energy.


Don’t get stuck without a tire patch kit. 


Bike tire lever with knuckle guard.


Spare 27.5 tube because it will work on most tire sizes in the event of a flat tire. 


A Tire Boot or a $10 bill will work to cover a bigger slash in the sidewall. 


Don’t get stuck without a Tire Plug for bigger holes that sealant will not seal. 

For your Bike

Bike computer w/ or w/o heart rate monitor and cadence sensor.


Water bottle cages.


Water Bottles for the cold to keep hydration from freezing.


Water bottles for warm weather.


Bike lights to keep you safe while riding in the dark.


Handlebar grips, very comfortable.


Clipless XC pedals.


Clipless Enduro/Downhill Pedals. Ride on flats or clipped in.


Flat pedals if you are not ready to clip yourself to the bike! 


Bike Disc locks, add extra protection to your bikes while away with the disc alarm lock, high pitch alarm will send jerks away from your $5000 bike!


Heavy Duty Bike Lock.

While you SHRED!

Helmet that I love. 


Cycling glasses to protect in different lighting.


GoPro for getting that action footage.


Insta360 for better action footage!


Universal Tripod. When you don't have someone there to record.


Take your dog with you on the ride with the K9 Sport Sack.


Make it easier to ride in the cold with embrocation cream.


Stretchy and comfortable loose fitting MTB shorts! 


Padded underwear to go under those shorts! 


Cycling Gloves, if you crash these will help keep the skin on your body! 


Chamois Cream to keep those delicate parts smooth. 


Battery Powered Heated Socks to keep your feet warm in the winter! 


Thermal Padded Bibs that are comfortable.


Thermal windproof waterproof cycling jacket.


Thermal Pants.


Winter Cycling Gloves.


Reduce wind noise on your rides and hear conversations and cars coming! 


Bar Mits to keep your hands warm on those cold days. 

Extras for the Win

If you do any kind of cycling, wet gear from sweat or the elements is the worst. get your gloves and shoes/boots dry fast so they don’t stink!  Get the boot and glove dryer.


Get the strap to help your kids along the trail uphill when they get tired, or to pull a buddy home when they have bonked! 



Apps for the win, get these on your phone:  Trailforks, MTB Project, Singletrack lite, Strava, a weather app, YouTube, and your GPS device app.  The first three apps will help you find trails and navigate trails, my personal favorite is Trailforks.  Strava allows you to track everything you do on your bike so you have a record of your accomplishments.  It’s always good to know what the weather is going to be like so find a weather app you enjoy and don’t get caught out in a thunderstorm.  YouTube has so many videos that can help you as a cyclists and also has people with channels that can entertain you with bike content which is better than cable TV!  Make sure you download the app that works with your GPS device so that you can easily transfer your rides, this should also automatically upload to Strava.  Also get yourself a nice pair of cycling glasses with interchangeable lenses.  You should also ride for your local bike shop and get a nice kit to wear if you race!  It may also be a good idea if you are a beginner to get a bike fit so that you are not compromising any part of your body.





If you do purchase from any of these Amazon links, it will help support me as I am an affiliate.

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