Equipment List
Individual Rider Gear List 2022
TEAM ISSUED ITEMS:
The team issues every team member the following equipment at no additional cost to the rider.
- One Race Kit: including racing bibs and racing jersey
- One Team T-shirt
- One Team Helmet
- One Pair of Team Socks
RIDER PROVIDED ITEMS (MANDATORY):
These items are not provided by the team but are required in order to participate.
- Hydration pack or water bottle. Hydration packs are strongly preferred.
- Full fingered mountain bike gloves.
- Trail repair kit: tube, tire levers, CO2 & CO2 adapter for tire inflation.
- Impact resistant sunglasses.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS (NOT MANDATORY/NICE TO HAVE):
- Cyclometer: Wahoo and Garmin make some great but expensive products. These bike computers are great to display all sorts of metrics to the rider and provide training feedback. They also serve as a GPS navigation tool; occasionally we provide a ride route plan that the rider can follow on their GPS device. If desired, some bike computers offer the option for parents to monitor their rider’s location which is a valuable safety tool. Although optional, all of our advanced riders own a cyclometer, but again, they are not necessary at the beginner level. Wahoo Bolt and various Garmin Edge computers are most popular.
- Heart rate monitor: Wahoo Tickr, Polar H10, and Garmin products are popular. It’s possible to simply use a HR monitor with a phone app, but ideally it should be paired with a cyclometer so that a rider can view his or her heartrate while riding.
BIKE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Mountain bikes range dramatically in price, some costing more than a vehicle! That said, you do not need an expensive bike to participate in the program. The minimum bike requirements to participate on the team:
- The bike must be a mountain bike.
- Hardtail with front suspension fork.
- Appropriate frame size for the rider (i.e. XS, S, M, L, or XL).
There are many other options to consider including:
- Wheel Size: 27.5” or 29”
- Suspension: Full suspension or hard tail with only front suspension
- Frame Material: Carbon or aluminum frame
- Brakes: Disc brakes or rim brakes
- Chain Ring: 1x, 2x, 3x drive setup
- Pedals: Clipless pedals or flats
- Tires: Tubes or tubeless setup
- Seat Post: Dropper seat post or standard seat post
While these (and other details) are important to consider, it is essential to have a bike that meets the minimum requirements listed above so you can participate. As you learn more about the sport and the equipment, you will become more capable of making smart purchasing decisions that align with your individual biking goals and budget.
With shortages caused by supply chain issues related to the pandemic, bikes can be difficult to find right now. As you look for new or used bikes, we recommend talking over any potential purchase with the head coach to make sure the size of the bike is correct for the size of the rider. A few great mountain bike brands include Pivot Cycles, Trek, Specialized, Salsa, Canyon, and Niner. Our shop sponsor, Shadetree Bikes on Cave Creek Rd, offers our riders an in-house discount, so consider checking with them if you are in the market for a bike.
Financial assistance in the form of a loaner bike is also available on a limited basis through our league, the Arizona Interscholastic Cycling Association. Please contact me directly if you would like more information about the loaner bike program.
If within your budget, I strongly recommend a bike that has disc brakes, a 1x chain ring, and tubeless tires. Pedal choice is a personal preference but by the high school riders primarily are using clipless pedals. Most of the younger riders are using flat pedals. If your athlete has some trail experience, you may try giving SPD pedals a try, although this option will require the additional purchase of clipless cycling shoes.
Before purchasing a bike for use with the team, please contact the head coach or team director to discuss. This extra step will help ensure you end up with a bike that will meet your needs while riding with the team.
Questions? Contact Team Director, Jeff Hunsinger jhunsinger@basismtb.com