The first thing you will need is a suitable bike. With the rapid growth of the sport, mountain bikes can now be purchased at almost all local bike shops in Northern Ireland. Prices range between £200 for a basic bike to upwards of £2000-£3000 for the top end models. When purchasing a mountain bike it is important to select the correct frame size for your height and weight. You should also look for strong wheels with good brakes and chunky tyres which will achieve the best grip out on the trails. Check out official Chain Reaction Cycles the official sponsors of MountainBikeNI.com.
Follow this link to see a Full List of Bike Shops in Northern Ireland. Alternatively a number of retail outlets and activity providers rent out mountain bikes for anywhere between £15 and £30 per day. See a Full List of Mountain Bike Hire Providers here.
You should always wear a helmet, and will need gloves and eye protection if tackling the more demanding trails. If you are purchasing a helmet make sure it complies with the EN1078 European Standard and try on a range of sizes to ensure it fits snug on your head.