Beginners may find it bit overwhelming when they walk into a bike store to buy your first mountain bike and see all of the range of accessories available. However fear not you don't have to break the bank to get into the exciting sport of mountain biking. There are many entry level products available that provide good quality and value to the beginner cyclist.

You will be able to get good advice in your local bike store and in my experience the sales staff won't try to sell you equipment that is unsuitable or that you don't need. Another good place to get advice is online at mountain biking websites like this one. If you are on a budget you can also save a buck or two by purchasing your kit online.

Starting off with these accessories will ensure you'll be just fine when you hit the trails.

Your bike helmet is the most important mountain biking accessory that you can buy. It is vital in protecting your head from serious head injury trauma.  Numerous unfortunate cyclists have sustained serious head trauma where a bike helmet would have protected them. Modern cycling helmets are both comfortable and stylish and are a must have accessory on any mountain bike trail.

Mountain bike gloves protect your hands , a long ride can be hard on the hands as you grip the handlebars and bounce and grind over rough terrain. They also serve to protect your hand in the event of a bad crash. Novices normally keep a death grip on the handle bars, which can be very brutal for their hands and when you crash, your hands will be the first thing to hit the ground - and everyone crashes at some point. Mountain bike gloves are a must have accessory, as they will take the beating instead of your hands.

Mountain bike shorts protect your rear end from getting to bruised and uncomfortable. Long hours in the saddle can get very uncomfortable and good mountain bike shorts with a decent chamois padding will make the ride a whole lot more comfortable.

Mountain bike shoes will depend on the type of pedals you use and the type of riding you do. If your bike has clipless type pedals, you'll need mountain bike shoes that take the special cleat for your pedals. Good mountain bike shoes are durable, comfortable, and also have  a stiff sole for more efficient pedaling. Also, you should make sure to get the right shoe for the terrain you'll be riding in as well.

Eye protection like sunglasses or clear lensed glasses protect your eyes from dust , debris and the wind. Makes sure that you purchase unbreakable glasses.

A hydration system whether its a hydration backpack or the old fashioned water bottle are a vital part of any cyclists kit. It's very easy to get dehydrated while cycling so you should always bring water with you and drink it on the trail to ensure that your body stays properly hydrated at all times and prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion.

Tools consisting of a tube repair kit , small compact bicycle pump , tire levers as well as a multi-tool for bike repair will help out for any minor emergencies. Anything major and you might need to call for back-up so taking along a cellphone is always a good idea.

These are the basics that you'll need to survive on the trails , as you get more into the sport you can purchase some of the more expensive hi-tech gadgets and tools that make modern biking the fun exciting pastime that it is.