Mountain biking for beginners: everything you need to know, from kit and accessories to cycle set-up and which trails to follow

Mountain biking is great fun, but preparation is important, especially for novices, and this handy guide should get your wheels turning

Hong Kong’s trails include tracks for beginners and advanced riders; never tackle unfamiliar ones alone, no matter your level of experience

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Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying nature, and good preparation makes it even more fun.

Published: 1:15pm, 1 Nov 2020Updated: 6:34pm, 2 Nov 2020

Mountain biking is, for many riders, all about getting out into nature and having fun. Hong Kong has one of the best city-based trail networks in Asia, making it relatively easy to take on micro biking adventures while social distancing.

However, there are some factors beginners should pay attention to and things to learn about before they hit the trails, especially as many of the trails in Hong Kong are of an advanced nature.

The bike

There’s no need to spend HK$40,000 (US$5,000) to get a machine suitable for most Hong Kong trails – but you do need at least a decent mid-range bike (from HK$6,500 upwards) to tackle even some of the less taxing off-road routes.

Front suspension is vital when you ride off road. Photo: Shutterstock

Buying from a reputable dealer – such as the Flying Ball Bicycle Company, in Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon – is strongly advised. Not only will the staff help set you up, the bike will be ready to ride and you can change parts to suit your needs at the time of purchase. Stick to well-known brands (Giant, Trek, Merida and Specialized, for example); slightly older models will give you more value for your money.

Front suspension is essential for most Hong Kong trails, and disc brakes are advisable. Unless you’re going for a higher-end bike (more than HK$10,000), it’s not worth considering full suspension, as that will mean compromising on the overall specifications to cover that cost.