Gear budgets – how much do you need to spend?
Used trail bike + basic protection gear
- ✓ Used trail bike 120-140mm
- ✓ Full-face helmet (basic)
- ✓ Back protector
- ✓ Gloves
New trail/enduro bike + complete gear
- ✓ New trail/enduro bike 130-160mm
- ✓ Full-face helmet (mid-range)
- ✓ Full protectors
- ✓ Accessories and clothing
Premium enduro/DH bike + top gear
- ✓ Premium enduro/DH carbon
- ✓ Top helmet and protectors
- ✓ Spare wheels, parts
- ✓ Full tech equipment
Bike – the most important choice
🚵 Trail / All-Mountain
✅ Pros:
- Versatility – great for bikepark and XC trails
- Light and agile
- Easy climbs without lift
- Lower maintenance costs
❌ Cons:
- Less stable on fast, steep descents
- Worse suspension on big jumps
💡 Recommended models:
- Trek Fuel EX (8,000 - 18,000 PLN)
- Specialized Stumpjumper (10,000 - 25,000 PLN)
- Canyon Spectral (7,000 - 15,000 PLN)
- YT Jeffsy (8,000 - 16,000 PLN)
⛰️ Enduro
✅ Pros:
- Excellent on difficult bikepark trails
- Stable at high speeds
- Handles big jumps
- Can still climb without lift
❌ Cons:
- Heavier – tiring climbs
- More expensive to buy and service
- Overkill for beginners
💡 Recommended models:
- YT Capra (10,000 - 20,000 PLN)
- Specialized Enduro (12,000 - 30,000 PLN)
- Canyon Torque (9,000 - 18,000 PLN)
- Santa Cruz Nomad (15,000 - 35,000 PLN)
🏔️ Downhill (DH)
✅ Pros:
- Maximum stability and control
- Built for extreme descents
- Absorbs everything – rocks, jumps, drops
❌ Cons:
- Requires lift – too heavy to climb
- Very expensive
- Costly servicing
- Impractical outside bikepark
💡 Recommended models:
- YT Tues (12,000 - 22,000 PLN)
- Specialized Demo (15,000 - 35,000 PLN)
- Santa Cruz V10 (18,000 - 45,000 PLN)
- Trek Session (14,000 - 30,000 PLN)
Protection gear – MANDATORY
🪖 Full-Face Helmet
Most important element! Protects entire head, face and jaw. Mandatory in many bikeparks on red and black trails.
Budget: 400-700 PLN
- Fox Rampage Comp
- Bell Sanction
- Giro Disciple
Good protection, basic ventilation
Mid-range: 800-1,400 PLN
- Troy Lee Designs D4
- Fox Rampage Pro Carbon
- Bell Super DH MIPS
Lighter, better ventilation, MIPS
Premium: 1,500-2,500+ PLN
- Fox Rampage Pro Carbon V2
- Troy Lee Designs D4 Carbon
- Leatt DBX 6.0 Carbon
Carbon, lightest, best technology
🦺 Spine and back protector
Protects spine from injuries. Available as backpack or vest.
Budget: 250-400 PLN
- Fox Baseframe Pro
- Alpinestars Bionic Action
Mid-range: 500-800 PLN
- Leatt 3DF AirFit
- POC VPD Air+
Premium: 900-1,500 PLN
- Leatt Brace GPX 6.5 Carbon
- Alpinestars A-4 Max
🦵 Knee and elbow pads
Especially important for beginners. Will protect from scrapes and injuries in falls.
Knees: 150-600 PLN
- Fox Launch Pro (250 PLN)
- POC Joint VPD 2.0 (400 PLN)
- Leatt 3DF 6.0 (500 PLN)
Elbows: 120-400 PLN
- Fox Launch Pro Elbow (180 PLN)
- POC Joint VPD 2.0 Elbow (280 PLN)
- G-Form Pro-X (200 PLN)
🧤 Gloves
Full-finger MTB gloves – better grip, hand protection and vibration damping.
Price: 80-300 PLN
- Fox Ranger (100 PLN) – good basic
- Troy Lee Designs SE (150 PLN) – durable
- POC Essential DH (200 PLN) – premium quality
👓 Goggles / Glasses
Eye protection from mud, rocks, branches and insects.
Price: 100-600 PLN
- Fox Main Goggles (150 PLN)
- 100% Strata 2 (250 PLN)
- Oakley Airbrake (600 PLN)
Accessories and spare parts
🔧 Tools and service
- MTB multitool: 80-200 PLN
- Hand pump: 50-150 PLN
- Patch kit: 20-40 PLN
- Chain oil: 30-60 PLN
- Spare tube: 25-40 PLN
👕 Clothing
- MTB jersey: 100-300 PLN
- MTB shorts: 150-500 PLN
- Protection shorts: 200-600 PLN
- MTB flat pedal shoes: 300-800 PLN
- MTB socks: 40-100 PLN
🚴 Part upgrades
- Downhill tires: 200-400 PLN/pc
- Hydraulic brakes: 800-2,000 PLN/set
- Dropper post: 600-1,800 PLN
- Flat pedals: 150-600 PLN
- Wider handlebar: 150-500 PLN
📦 Transport and storage
- Bike rack: 500-2,000 PLN
- Bike bag: 200-600 PLN
- Service stand: 300-1,200 PLN
- Bike lights: 100-500 PLN
Where to buy gear?
🏪 Physical stores
Pros: Ability to try on, salesperson advice, service
Cons: Higher prices, smaller selection
E.g. Decathlon, local bike shops
🌐 Online stores
Pros: Lower prices, huge selection, convenience
Cons: No ability to try on, size risk
E.g. BikeComponents.de, ChainReactionCycles, Wiggle
💰 Second-hand market
Pros: Lowest prices, sometimes top gear cheaper
Cons: No warranty, risk of damage
E.g. OLX, Facebook Marketplace, Pinkbike Buysell
🏢 Year-end sales
Pros: New gear, big discounts (20-40%)
Cons: Limited size and color selection
Sale season: September-November
FAQ – Most common questions
❓ Can I ride in a bikepark on a trail bike?
Yes! A trail bike (120-150mm travel) is sufficient for most green and blue trails. Enduro works better on red and black, but trail is enough to start.
❓ Do I need carbon?
No. Aluminum is completely sufficient, more durable and cheaper. Carbon is an option for experienced riders looking for the lightest gear.
❓ How much does MTB bike maintenance cost?
Annually: about 500-1,500 PLN (tires, brake pads, suspension service, oils). Intensive riding = higher costs.
❓ Is it better to buy used premium or new budget bike?
Usually used premium – better components, geometry and suspension. Check technical condition and service history.
❓ Do I need a dropper post?
Yes, it's a game-changer! Adjustable seatpost allows you to lower saddle on descents. If your bike doesn't have one, it's the first upgrade to do.