Must-Have Mountain Bike Equipment To Hit The Trails

Last Updated on June 13, 2023 by Emmanuel

Mountain biking requires suitable equipment: helmets, shoes, pants, etc., to ensure safety while maximizing trail performance.

This article provides valuable information concerning the must-have mountain bike equipment to hit the trails conveniently.

Mountain bike clothing accessories.

Helmet.

First, consider protecting your head, as it is one of the essential parts of your body’s major sensory organs. 

You can crash or bump into a tree or rock at any time, so wear a helmet.

A mountain bike helmet protects eyes from sunlight and rain: its design with an integrated peak also deflects low-hanging branches.

A full-face helmet is usually the top bikers ‘ pick for mountain biking: parks, downhill, and enduro racing.

Occasionally, mountain bikers pair a helmet with a neck brace to prevent the head from being dangerously thrown back in the event of a big crash.

Shorts.

The rough terrain of mountain biking is an excellent reason to buy convenient padded shorts. 

Padded shorts prevent soreness caused by repeatedly receiving body pressure by getting on and off the saddle.

These apparel act as a cushioning barrier between your body and the harness, so choose baggy mountain bike shorts with stretchy and robust materials. 

The loose outer short layer provides plenty of room for knee pads underneath, adding more protection for your knee.

RELATED: The ten best mountain bike helmets for men.

Jerseys.

These jerseys differ from the cotton t-shirt many have in their cupboards, which don’t handle a lot of sweat. 

If you plan mountain biking, choose a long-sleeve jersey to protect your arms from UV light, thorns, and branches. 

A moisture-wicking fiber cycling jersey prevents you from soaking wet with sweat.

Mountain bike jerseys mostly have a loose cut and come in short-sleeve, three-quarter, or long-sleeve options. 

Shoes.

• It will also help if you have suitable mountain biking shoes. 
• Suitable shoes will enable you to pedal efficiently and feel secure when riding over challenging ground. 
• Furthermore, mountain biking shoes provide better support, grip, and protection and enhance your overall riding experience. 
• If your bike has flat pedals, you don’t need to spend on mountain biking shoes.

RELATED: The best shoes for Slickrock hiking.

Gloves.

Most mountain bikers choose full-finger gloves that help protect their hands in the event of a crash. 

Gloves protect fingers and palms when they hit the ground and prevent them from being too damaged.

Besides, gloves can help grip; they feature palms, providing extra traction on the handlebars.

They will protect you efficiently regardless of weather conditions or other moisture like sweat and raindrops.

The best options include lighter choices for summer riding and more insulated for colder weather. 

Glasses or Goggles.

Glasses and goggles protect the eyes from glare and debris thrown by the front wheel and other objects that can endanger your eyesight.

They have different options at affordable prices; choose what suits you the best.

For example, you can purchase clear glasses in dark conditions, while tinted ones are better for daylight riding.

Goggles are more recommended than glasses when riding on steep and challenging terrain. They are more secure and protect from every angle of your eyes.

Essential tools to bring in every ride.

Patch kits.

Your bike’s tire can have a flat or a slow leak, but such issues are so minor that you wouldn’t notice.

To face such challenges, you will need patch kits that usually come in two types: fast glueless and glue patches.

The fast glueless patch looks like a sticker and works well and fast. You only need to locate the leakage and place the patch to cover it.

To use a patching kit, remove the tire from the wheel, locate the leakage, and use sandpaper to clean and roughen it.

Mini bike pump.

You might feel bad if you had to walk your bike to the nearest bicycle repair service only to find that your tire leaks slowly. 

You can temporarily solve such a problem if you have a pump and later bring your bike to the repair shop for substantial checks.

Many types of pumps are available on the market, and the smallest ones are easy to carry.

However, you must be patient when using a small one because it takes a long time to pump up or bigger pumps.

The disadvantage of bigger pumps is their heaviness to carry, but they usually pump up the tires quicker.

Tire lever.

This plastic stick will enable you to remove the tire in the event of a flat tire. Sometimes, a tire can be tight against the rim even after losing air.

Bringing a tire lever with you will save you from frustration and enable you to safely continue your mountain biking journey.

RELATED: The best outdoor gear at Eastern Mountain Sports.

Spare inner tube.

Pumps and patch kits sometimes can not fix tube damage like a large gash or valve.

If you are in a hurry, throwing in a new spare inner tube can be much faster and handier than patching the leakage.

After swapping the box, you can always bring your used tube home and make repairs if possible; get it away because it is unsafe for the environment.

Biking multi-tool.

The rider had to bring several tools to perform common bike repairs, but modern technology has made things more accessible.

You can purchase a biking multi-kit with all the necessary repair tools in one folding package.

A folding package typically contains all the tools you can rely on if something unexpected happens in this kit.

Chain tool and master link.

Bring this tool because your bike’s chain can bend on rough terrain and make repairs. 

A chain tool and a master link remove the broken link and quickly create a new one. 

Each speed group has different thicknesses and lengths for their links; pick the proper one when buying a master link.

Where do I store tools on a bicycle?

You can store the tools in a jersey pocket or a saddle bag to quickly access them or in a frame bag.

Besides, a handlebar helps to carry many tools by evenly distributing them and balancing the cycle.

Whatever the option, store your tools securely so they don’t fall out and get lost while riding.

Final thoughts.

Mountain biking is a thrilling and satisfying experience because it provides you with an adrenaline rush while exploring nature.

Take suitable mountain bike equipment and maintain them appropriately to enjoy safe trails ride.

All the reviewed tools help to maximize your time outdoors and fully enjoy nature’s beauty.

That’s all we can say about the must-have mountain bike equipment to hit the trails; we hope this blog post is helpful.