Downhill mountain biking is not a sport for everyone, in fact it's a sport that requires just a little bit of craziness. After all how many sports require you to race down a course filled with sharp turns, roots, rocks, and other difficult terrain? It is because of the element of danger that there is essential downhill mountain bike gear that everyone downhill mountain bikers need. It's no fun to end a downhill mountain bike race in injury because you didn't have the right downhill mountain bike gear.

The Bike

The bike you choose is probably the most important downhill mountain bike gear that you will ever buy. The downhill mountain bike is designed specifically for downhill riding, any old mountain bike just won't do. Make sure that you choose one specifically meant for downhill racing. You will notice that there are shocks on the front and back of the bike.

As soon as you get a downhill mountain bike you will see that it has only one purpose, to take you down hills really fast. It is practically impossible to pedal a downhill mountain bike up a hill, and it is very slow going trying to push it along. You will either need a van, chair lift, or truck to get it to the top of the hill you intend to race down.

A helmet is a must when it comes to downhill mountain bike gear. You will notice that downhill mountain bike gear helmets are very similar to motorcycle helmets. You should have a visor on your helmet to keep the glare of the sun out of your face. It is also a good idea to look for a helmet with a mouth guard in case you crash.

Protective clothing is also another essential part of downhill mountain bike gear. You can buy protective clothing that is padded. This can be worn on its own or under racing pants for even more protection. Alternatively you can choose to buy plastic shin and knee guards. These guards can be attached to your body with Velcro straps.

The shoes you choose to complete your downhill mountain bike gear are also important. You want to make sure that the toe area is reinforced to prevent any painful breaks in the event that you crash. Another characteristic of downhill racing shoes is an ankle protector. The material that your shoes are made from should be breathable, but at the same time it should be very sturdy.

A downhill mountain bike helmet is a prerequisite for entering a downhill race. The reason for this is safety for the rider. Not only is the downhill mountain bike helmet necessary but also the body armor for the biker. Downhill mountain bike gear is necessary for the safety and convenience of the biker, which is why event organizers require these. Body armor may be worn in full or partial depending on the risk the biker will take. Injuries due to crashes are also common in a downhill competition which is why the downhill mountain bike helmet is a requirement.

The Full Face Downhill Mountain Bike Helmet

The downhill mountain bike helmet is usually a full face helmet that is supposed to protect the mountain biker from severe injury due to impact and crashes during a downhill run. Wearing a helmet does not necessarily mean that the biker is protected from bodily harm but it does construe that the biker's head is relatively protected from injury and harm.

Ordinary mountain bike helmets usually cover the top of the head as well as a part of the back of the head. Downhill mountain bike helmets on the other hand cover the entire head up to the upper part of the nape at the back and the jaws in front. The need for a full face downhill mountain bike helmet stems from the need to protect the biker's head from injury. It is not only the biker's head that needs protection but also the jaw and the face. This is one reason why a full face helmet is worn for downhill races.

The speed and velocity of the downhill mountain biker is faster than a common cross country biker going through a cross country trail. Not only is gravity on the side of the downhill biker but he or she usually pedals the bike to make themselves go faster. Since a shorter time is the objective of a downhill mountain bike race, protection is necessary. A downhill mountain bike helmet helps to protect what matter most, our head.

Wearing a downhill mountain bike helmet is a rule for all mountain bike downhill events. It is also a rule for any other kind of mountain bike event to wear a helmet for protection. All States in the United States of America have safety rules regarding the use of a helmet when on a bike, whatever kind of bike it is.

A downhill mountain bike is quite different from a cross country mountain bike. Not only are the differences found in the mountain bike itself but also in the gear and the trail. Before, cross country and downhill were merged together, but the time came when there were bikers who loved the thrill of downhill mountain bike action, so they made more and more specific equipment and mountain bike parts that focus on downhill. These days, there are a lot of mountain bikers who focus on downhill competition competitions. There are many different levels of a downhill competition in which an individual rider may partake.

Downhill Mountain Bike Suspension

Suspension options for the downhill mountain bike are in the same place as that of the cross country bike. The difference in suspension is in the length of the suspension. Downhill mountain bike suspension forks are relatively longer in length compared to those of the cross country mountain bikes. The difference can be anywhere between three inches to five inches. Downhill mountain bike racing forks are quite long compared to ordinary downhill mountain bike suspension forks. This does not mean however, that ordinary downhill bikes can not use the front suspension with longer shocks. Many bikers who do not compete still use competition forks.

Other than the suspension forks that can be seen in the front end of the downhill mountain bike, there is also suspension located at the rear end of the downhill bike. These types of suspension are called rear suspension and come in a variety of lengths and sizes just like those of the suspension fork. The downhill mountain bike usually has both types of suspension on it, front and rear suspension. The length of both suspensions are both in accordance to the preferences of the biker, although, most downhill bikers prefer the longer suspension for better shock absorption. Shock absorbers are for the huge or deep drops that many downhill bikers experience especially during a race. Bikers who use shorter suspension are usually prone to harder falls and shocks compared to the lengthier shocks.

Sometimes, the biker who uses a downhill mountain bike uses a smaller bike in comparison to a cross country bike which has certain measurements which are accorded to the rider. Not all downhill bikers use the smaller bike. The theory of using a smaller downhill mountain bike is supposed to lend the biker an advantage due to easier pedaling and lighter weight of the bike.