Essential kit guide
Having the right kit is essential for confident, safe riding.
Helmets: Keep safe on the trails
Making sure your child has an appropriate helmet that fits properly is one of the most important steps in keeping them safe while mountain biking and essential for taking part in any of our activities.
Helmet choice
We recommend a mountain bike specific helmet as it will offer a good balance of protection and ventilation. Importantly make sure it has a certification mark as not all helmets meet the same safety standards. Check for the US Snell B90/B95 standard or the European CE mark. These logos should be on the sticker inside the helmet or embossed on the shell.
Many kids want a full-face helmet like their downhill heroes wear but we don’t see many on the trails as although they offer the ultimate in protection, they are typically hot and heavy.
Check the Manufacturing Date
Inside the helmet, you’ll find a small sticker with the manufacture date. Even if the helmet is new to your child, it may have been made years earlier. Experts recommend replacing helmets every 3 to 5 years to ensure they offer full protection. This is critical because over time exposure to UV light, sweat, heat and humidity degrades the EPS foam which absorbs energy in a crash.
Ensure a snug & secure fit
Mountain biking involves lots of bumpy trails - no one wants their helmet falling down over their eyes during a descent! Follow these steps:
Keep in mind that adjustments may be needed depending on weather conditions. On cold rides you may need to loosen the fit slightly if your child is wearing a buff.
Adjust the straps! One of the most common things we see on the trails is kids (and adults for that matter!) with their helmet straps too loose or incorrectly adjusted - this means the helmet can come off during a crash rendering it useless!
Helmet straps should form a "V" shape around the ears. To get the perfect fit:
Top tip: Let your child do up the buckle - they’re less likely to nip their skin in it than you are!
This video from Bell gives a great overview: https://youtu.be/YVHcJkykkqA
After a crash you need to replace the helmet
Helmets are designed to absorb impact, but they only work once. If your child has a crash—even if there are no visible cracks—the helmet should be replaced. Inspect it regularly for dents or damage, and when in doubt, get a new one. By following these steps, you’ll ensure your child’s helmet provides the best possible protection, so they can focus on having fun and riding safely! Many helmet manufacturers offer a discounted crash replacement service.
Helmet choice
We recommend a mountain bike specific helmet as it will offer a good balance of protection and ventilation. Importantly make sure it has a certification mark as not all helmets meet the same safety standards. Check for the US Snell B90/B95 standard or the European CE mark. These logos should be on the sticker inside the helmet or embossed on the shell.
Many kids want a full-face helmet like their downhill heroes wear but we don’t see many on the trails as although they offer the ultimate in protection, they are typically hot and heavy.
Check the Manufacturing Date
Inside the helmet, you’ll find a small sticker with the manufacture date. Even if the helmet is new to your child, it may have been made years earlier. Experts recommend replacing helmets every 3 to 5 years to ensure they offer full protection. This is critical because over time exposure to UV light, sweat, heat and humidity degrades the EPS foam which absorbs energy in a crash.
Ensure a snug & secure fit
Mountain biking involves lots of bumpy trails - no one wants their helmet falling down over their eyes during a descent! Follow these steps:
- Loosen the helmet’s adjustment dial or ratchet system.
- Place the helmet on your child’s head, positioning the front about two finger-widths above their eyebrows.
- Tighten the cradle until the helmet fits snugly. Have them bend forward—if the helmet stays put, it’s secure.
Keep in mind that adjustments may be needed depending on weather conditions. On cold rides you may need to loosen the fit slightly if your child is wearing a buff.
Adjust the straps! One of the most common things we see on the trails is kids (and adults for that matter!) with their helmet straps too loose or incorrectly adjusted - this means the helmet can come off during a crash rendering it useless!
Helmet straps should form a "V" shape around the ears. To get the perfect fit:
- Position the cam lock (the small slider) just below the earlobe.
- Make sure the straps lay flat against the skin, both in front and behind the ears. This helps keep the helmet in place during a fall.
- Adjust the chin strap so you can only fit two fingers between the strap and your child’s chin. If the strap is too long, tuck away the excess or trim it, leaving enough length for adjustments.
Top tip: Let your child do up the buckle - they’re less likely to nip their skin in it than you are!
This video from Bell gives a great overview: https://youtu.be/YVHcJkykkqA
After a crash you need to replace the helmet
Helmets are designed to absorb impact, but they only work once. If your child has a crash—even if there are no visible cracks—the helmet should be replaced. Inspect it regularly for dents or damage, and when in doubt, get a new one. By following these steps, you’ll ensure your child’s helmet provides the best possible protection, so they can focus on having fun and riding safely! Many helmet manufacturers offer a discounted crash replacement service.
Get a grip. Tyre choice for Guisborough woods.
Tyres are probably the single most important factor in determining confidence on trails. Good grip = good fun, no grip = the opposite.
The trails in Guisborough Forest are hand-built and natural, this means they can be soft & loose in summer and muddy if it's wet. This means you need tyres that have an aggressive, knobbly tread that will provide plenty of grip.
Often kids bikes come as standard with tyres designed for hard-packed surfaces - these tyres are designed to roll fast but they are of little to no use in Guisborough. If you going to make one upgrade to your kid's bike then this should be it - it will transform their riding experience. If you can only afford one tyre then changing the front will make the most difference.
The trails in Guisborough Forest are hand-built and natural, this means they can be soft & loose in summer and muddy if it's wet. This means you need tyres that have an aggressive, knobbly tread that will provide plenty of grip.
Often kids bikes come as standard with tyres designed for hard-packed surfaces - these tyres are designed to roll fast but they are of little to no use in Guisborough. If you going to make one upgrade to your kid's bike then this should be it - it will transform their riding experience. If you can only afford one tyre then changing the front will make the most difference.
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Examples of tyres that work in Guisborough:
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Choosing tyres can be confusing as there are lots of options, if you're unsure pop into Peddlers or Bikescene and they'll steer you in the right direction. The main to remember is for all-round MTB riding is don't choose a downhill casing - they are super heavy and going up hills won't be much fun!
