Essential Mountain Biking Gear For Every Rider
Heading out into the wilderness is one of the best parts of mountain biking, but on the flip side you’ll need to be self-reliant when it comes to looking after yourself and your bike, because you’re likely to be further from help.
Here are our 20 essentials for your epic mountain bike rides, from crucial tools to handy spares.
Remember that if you ride with friends, having the kit needed to help yourself can also be handy for others, though with some things such as derailleur hangers and chain links you’ll need to check cross-compatibility.
As always, having the kit with you is only half the job: you’ll need to know how to use it too, whether that’s applying first aid, using a shock pump, or fixing a tubeless puncture.
Tubeless Repair Kit
A tubeless repair kit is key if you've got your tires set up tubeless, and can pack down super-small. One of the most common mechanical issues on the trail is a puncture, whether that’s an uninvited shard of glass, thorn, sharp rock or a snakebite puncture from dinging the rim. If you’re running your bike tubeless, as most mountain bikers do these days, then having the appropriate kit to fix this easily can save you a sticky mess. Tubeless plugs are the mountain biker’s best friend, and can be easily applied to a hole in the tire using a specialist plug tool to seal the hole ready for reinflation. Larger cuts or slices might not work with plugs, so you’ll need to remove the tire to install a tire boot and tube. Some slices can also be stitched.
Spare Tubes
They may be a little bulky, but it really does pay to carry spare inner tubes, even if you have your tires set up tubeless. If your tubeless nightmare is beyond repair, or if you need to fix a punctured inner tube, it’s probably time to pop a replacement tube in there. Make sure you’re carrying the right size inner tube for your wheel size and tire width. It may sound like a lot, but for big rides it’s well worth taking two spare tubes, as double flats do happen.
Patch Kit
These small kits can be a lifesaver when it comes to being able to reuse a punctured tube, and can sometimes even be used for other applications such as patching the inside of a tire. Choose between a traditional setup including a vulcanising agent or pre-glued stick-on patches.
Mini Tire Pump
Whether you’ve ‘burped’ a bit of pressure out of your tires or have had a puncture, a tire pump is key to getting you back to that sweet-running optimum. Look for a high-volume option for mountain bike tires, rather than a high-pressure pump which works better for narrower road bike tires. An option with a pressure gauge can also be really handy. Another option is a CO2 inflator with cartridges. Though the sudden release of pressure can be more useful for seating stubborn tires, and they tend to pack down smaller than a pump, these cartridges have a finite use, whereas a pump can be used again and again for years to come.
Multi-tool
From tightening the seatpost clamp on a slipped seatpost to securing cleat bolts, adjusting bar angles to breaking chains, securing rattling bottle cage bolts to unscrewing a thru-axle; the humble multi-tool is a cycling essential with 101 uses. Spend a little more on a quality multi-tool that includes a built-in chain tool, a T25 torx, flathead and Philips screwdrivers in addition to Allen keys. Some bulkier multi-tools even include pliers and wire cutters, which can come in handy. An alternative is a ratchet tool, which can be supplied with multiple bits in addition to the other features you’d expect from a multi-tool such as a chain tool. These can be extra handy for using in tight spaces, such as for attaching bottle cages, or if reassembling a bike after travel.
Chain Lube
If there are river crossings or potential downpours on the menu, you can save yourself the aural agony of a squeaking chain by packing a miniature bottle of chain lube for mid-ride reapplication. This comes in particularly handy on multi-day rides to keep things running smoothly – and silently!
Sun Cream And Lip Balm
Keeping safe on the trail goes beyond kneepads and first aid training: exposure to UV rays can be damaging in the long term, so make sure you slather on that SPF sun cream before you set out, and reapply as necessary on your ride. Dry, chapped lips are also no joke and can go hand-in-hand with big rides, so using an SPF-rated lip balm is a wise idea.
Phone
Taking your phone is an obvious one, but making sure you have routes and emergency contacts saved before you head off is always worthwhile. An obvious thought perhaps, but are you making the most of your phone’s capability while out riding? There are some great ride recording and navigation apps out there, but also tools that can really help in the event of an emergency. Some navigation apps also enable you to download your route for offline use, which is a good idea, especially if you’re heading to an area where phone signal may be dodgy. A phone won’t be much help if it’s out of battery, so make sure it’s charged before you set off, or consider packing a rechargeable battery pack if it’s prone to losing charge fast.
Compact First Aid Kit
When heading to more remote areas, it’s always a good idea to carry a first aid kit, and even better if you’ve had specific training on how to use it. There are a few brands that now offer mini first aid kits for mountain biking or other outdoor pursuits that are as light as they are small, without scrimping on the essentials. Adverse weather conditions can accelerate seemingly minor injuries into serious situations fast, so make sure to also pack an emergency blanket and/or shelter if you’re heading far from civilisation.
Emergency Lights
So you’re planning on getting back before dark, but what happens if you get waylaid with a mechanical or find a delightful pub en route for an irresistible dinner stop? Packing a set of small but bright emergency mountain biking lights to help you be seen on any road segments can make the difference between you getting home safely, and not getting home at all.