[Teaboy]

I've just bought a mountain bike and although I'll be operating at the more timid end of the scale I'm still very keen to protect myself to the max. So, I have three questions:
1. If I get full face helmet and armour will I look, and be considered, a complete bell end as I dawdle around on a £400 bike? I'll mainly be cycling off road (I live near Lee and Crag quarry so will be there and on nearby bridleways mostly)

2. What are the most important items of protection?

3. What's the least I can get away with paying given I'm not swayed by brands but don't want something that's going to fall apart on first wear? (I know I could do some research in this but opinions are of value to me plus I'm picking up my bike tonight and would like to buy the stuff from the same local shop but don't want to pay too much over the odds if I could get stuff for a fraction of the price at Decathlon)

4. Can anyone recommend a cheap bike shed, I don't want a full hight garden shed as it would obscure the view from the kitchen window and the Missus likes to be able to look at the garden when she's washing up!

[slackline]

2. What are the most important items of protection?

Your balls! 

Perhaps ask the helpful people in the shop who advised you on your bike purchase later this evening too?

[SA Chris]

1 & 2) If you are just going to be pootling around on Bridleways and singletrack stuff you will probably find a full face helmet a right pain in terms of vision, overheating, and just not needing it. You will be fine with just a normal cyciling lid unless you are particularly clumsy and/or unlucky.

3) First Helmet - make sure it's comfy and the right size for you. Giro are good as they do a good replacement scheme if you break it, but any sold in the UK meet CE Standards.

Then a pair of decent leather gloves, with good palm grips and if you want a gel pad to protect ulnar nerve.

Then some hardwearing trousers so you don't get legs ripped to bits by overgrown branches / brambles etc. Can be really bad esp at this time of year.

Then if you want shin guards or elbow guards, but you could probably do without for your type of riding.

4) no idea - easier to chain it up and just get a bike tarp to throw over it?

[fatdoc]

usual normal helmet, good gloves... and knee pads.

relax.. and you'll be fine.

[john horscroft]

usual normal helmet, good gloves... and knee pads.

relax.. and you'll be fine.

   If things start getting a bit fruity at Lee Quarry, maybe a piss pot helmet, but apart form that, FD's right - Kyle Strait knee pads, prefect 

[galpinos]

I'd add some padded shorts. Your arse can take quite a beating.

[SA Chris]

Hell yes.

[fatkid2000]

Or you could go for the approach I saw at Derwent today - riding round the reservoir in full leg armour & full facer on a £4500 bike.

[gingerninja]

Or you could go for the approach I saw at Derwent today - riding round the reservoir in full leg armour & full facer on a £4500 bike.

but that rough track on the far side is pretty gnarly.