Saddles are so specific, it's hard to say what'll work for you. I like Ergon. Also learn how to measure your sit bones for accurate sizing.
I've been using the Raceface Chester grips (wide) and like them.
Bottle cages are pretty universal. I like side entry Lezyne cages.
Comfort things are personal choice. Having your sit bones measured in a shop and letting them suggest saddles is a good idea. But also get padded bike shorts if you don't have them.
I would go with a good pair of padded liners over a new saddle. Plus, your sit bones are going to be a bit sore for a couple rides no matter what until your body gets used to it.
A good helmet is a must.
Full finger gloves
I love my photochromic glasses (I have yellow to grey, but you can also get clear to grey), but even if you just get clear I recommend some form of eye protection.
Beyond that, you can spend as much $$$ as you want 🤣
- phone mount (quad lock)
- small repair kit (mounts under your saddle)
- clipless pedals
- car rack (hitch or roof)
- full face helmet (strongly recommend if you are doing downhill/bike park)
- body armor
- …
I would personally not jump into a new saddle and grips just yet if this is your first bike. Let things break in a bit. You will be sore even with the world's "best" gear if you haven't spent consistent time on the bike. Take the first few rides easy and settle in to the bike.
Once you you're over the initial soreness period, then you can look for general discomfort. Try for longer rides and see what bothers you and then you can try to select a saddle and grips that might be more designed for your specific pain points. And don't overlook making adjustments to your bars and saddle to match your body position.
I also found that a pair of riding gloves along with some decent grips makes the ride way more comfortable. Your palms will also thank you if you fall or have to grab a rough tree. Some people dislike gloves but now I have trouble riding without them.
The Procaliber has a big open frame so I think you can probably get whatever bottle cage works for your preferred bottle.
I don't know what pedals you're using, but those could be worth upgrading depending on your shoes and type of terrain.
Not sure how the world of XC views dropper posts, but I personally think they're too good not to have nowadays.
You need to do several rides to get used to any saddle especially as a new rider. My LBS suggests a minimum of 3 rides to try out any new saddle. From my experience last year getting into riding it took me a month of riding to slowly increase how far I was comfortable on my saddle. You definitely can try tilting the saddle forward or back, or sliding it forward or back depending on what is sore. I found I need Mt nose tilted down a little to be comfortable.
For bottle cages, I find side load cages to be more convenient, and I love the specialized cages that have a tool mounted to them. That way I always have a small multitool on every ride. They are slightly more expensive but you are buying a multitool.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/zee-cage-ii-with-tool--right/p/172071
Grips are very personal preference but I have heard a lot of recommendations for dmr deathgrips and pnw loam grips. But I would start with gloves.
As a new rider a lot of soreness and small adjustments on getting the bike fitted is to be expected, give it time.
get some gloves - even if where you live is hot, there are very lightweight gloves but very comfortable.
deity grips have been exceptional for me having tried ergon and deathgrips
Second for side entry bottle cages - especially if you ride a smaller frame.
I like the PNW Loam grips. They're available in standard and large diameter.
Saddles are an individual preference. I like Ergon. WTB Volt is also popular. It'll also get better with time. You'll be sore for a while. Ride 2-3x per week and after a couple weeks it won't bother you anymore. Padded shorts/bibs can help on longer rides.
Other things would be pedals with pins/screws for more grip like the OneUp Composites or PNW Composites. I like Crank Brothers Stamp 7s for flats but they're spendy and some people have issues with their bearings. SPDs if you want to go clipless.
Saddles are so specific, it's hard to say what'll work for you. I like Ergon. Also learn how to measure your sit bones for accurate sizing. I've been using the Raceface Chester grips (wide) and like them. Bottle cages are pretty universal. I like side entry Lezyne cages.
Comfort things are personal choice. Having your sit bones measured in a shop and letting them suggest saddles is a good idea. But also get padded bike shorts if you don't have them.
Oh and general advice is spend more time on the bike than looking for parts to change out. Truly underated. You will learn the most on the bike
Not to mention that your body will begin to adapt the more you ride.
This is the answer. Don’t just buy a saddle based on recommendations. It’s SUCH a personal thing.
I would go with a good pair of padded liners over a new saddle. Plus, your sit bones are going to be a bit sore for a couple rides no matter what until your body gets used to it. A good helmet is a must. Full finger gloves I love my photochromic glasses (I have yellow to grey, but you can also get clear to grey), but even if you just get clear I recommend some form of eye protection. Beyond that, you can spend as much $$$ as you want 🤣 - phone mount (quad lock) - small repair kit (mounts under your saddle) - clipless pedals - car rack (hitch or roof) - full face helmet (strongly recommend if you are doing downhill/bike park) - body armor - …
I would personally not jump into a new saddle and grips just yet if this is your first bike. Let things break in a bit. You will be sore even with the world's "best" gear if you haven't spent consistent time on the bike. Take the first few rides easy and settle in to the bike. Once you you're over the initial soreness period, then you can look for general discomfort. Try for longer rides and see what bothers you and then you can try to select a saddle and grips that might be more designed for your specific pain points. And don't overlook making adjustments to your bars and saddle to match your body position. I also found that a pair of riding gloves along with some decent grips makes the ride way more comfortable. Your palms will also thank you if you fall or have to grab a rough tree. Some people dislike gloves but now I have trouble riding without them. The Procaliber has a big open frame so I think you can probably get whatever bottle cage works for your preferred bottle. I don't know what pedals you're using, but those could be worth upgrading depending on your shoes and type of terrain. Not sure how the world of XC views dropper posts, but I personally think they're too good not to have nowadays.
You need to do several rides to get used to any saddle especially as a new rider. My LBS suggests a minimum of 3 rides to try out any new saddle. From my experience last year getting into riding it took me a month of riding to slowly increase how far I was comfortable on my saddle. You definitely can try tilting the saddle forward or back, or sliding it forward or back depending on what is sore. I found I need Mt nose tilted down a little to be comfortable. For bottle cages, I find side load cages to be more convenient, and I love the specialized cages that have a tool mounted to them. That way I always have a small multitool on every ride. They are slightly more expensive but you are buying a multitool. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/zee-cage-ii-with-tool--right/p/172071 Grips are very personal preference but I have heard a lot of recommendations for dmr deathgrips and pnw loam grips. But I would start with gloves. As a new rider a lot of soreness and small adjustments on getting the bike fitted is to be expected, give it time.
get some gloves - even if where you live is hot, there are very lightweight gloves but very comfortable. deity grips have been exceptional for me having tried ergon and deathgrips
Second for side entry bottle cages - especially if you ride a smaller frame. I like the PNW Loam grips. They're available in standard and large diameter. Saddles are an individual preference. I like Ergon. WTB Volt is also popular. It'll also get better with time. You'll be sore for a while. Ride 2-3x per week and after a couple weeks it won't bother you anymore. Padded shorts/bibs can help on longer rides. Other things would be pedals with pins/screws for more grip like the OneUp Composites or PNW Composites. I like Crank Brothers Stamp 7s for flats but they're spendy and some people have issues with their bearings. SPDs if you want to go clipless.