Rocky trails, bumpy areas and high speed. When it comes to downhill, it’s the more, the better. To ensure you have a safe and fun experience under these extreme conditions, there are a few things you should bear in mind when choosing your downhill equipment. From the right mountain bike to the appropriate downhill protectors, as well as more tips and tricks about mountain bike equipment, you can find all the information here. This will ensure you are well prepared for your next attempt at the Never End Trail. And if you also want some local professional advice for your bike equipment, our experts are on hand to help you in our rental stores.
When choosing the right downhill equipment, the first thing is to find the right mountain bike. Downhill mountain bikes and modern enduro bikes are specially designed for the harsh conditions and high speeds experienced on the trails. If you’re taking on a downhill trail for the first time, it’s definitely recommended to rent a downhill bike. With an all-mountain bike or hardtail mountain bike, you’ll only have half the fun on the downhill trails. A downhill bike is also safer on this type of terrain. Why is this?
To ensure both a safe and fun experience, you should make sure you get the right downhill equipment. A good helmet is the most important thing. We strongly recommend that you use an integral, or full-face, helmet. A conventional mountain bike helmet does not adequately protect you from the high forces experienced in case of a fall. Downhill helmets are designed like motorcycle helmets, but are a lot lighter and better aerated.
A special pair of protective goggles for going downhill also complements your mountain bike equipment. They capture dirt on wet days in particular, ensuring better visibility and more enjoyment. The goggles also protect you from stones or rocks thrown up from the trail. If you don’t want to purchase a helmet or goggles, you can rent them from the LAAX Rental outlets at the base stations in Flims and Laax.
If you’re travelling at high speed on technically challenging trails, you need to have the right downhill protectors. They protect you from injuries such as bruises, scrapes and broken bones, and go well with your downhill equipment. Bike protectors are available for practically every part of the body, with the most common ones being for the knees, elbows and back. There are also entire safety jackets for the upper body.
We also recommend using a neck brace to prevent injuries to the neck and spine. When choosing MTB protectors, it is better to go for a slightly tighter size to prevent the protectors from slipping during riding. You can also rent downhill protectors from the LAAX Rental outlets at the base stations in Flims and Laax.
As well as downhill protectors, your downhill equipment should also include gloves, shoes and clothing.
