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Things you might need before setting up on the track
If you are not familiar with the mountain bike accessories or their importance, we are here at your rescue. Let’s discuss some of the much needed mountain bike accessories before you jump onto the track.
There are many different types of mountain bikes out there, and each one has its own set of needs. For example, mountain bikes have much more suspension than road bikes do, so they need to handle larger bumps in the trail. But that doesn’t mean you can slap on some cheap parts and expect them to work. You want your bike to feel like it was made for you, not the other way around.
Whether you are a beginner or have been doing mountain biking for a while, you might be aware of the mountain bike accessories that you might need. These essential pieces are necessary to ensure a safe and comfortable mountain biking experience. All the trail riders are aware of the additional protection they need, as mountain biking can sometimes be challenging. However, these accessories might differ depending upon the duration of your biking and the type of trail. In this case, you will have to go through some bike gear guides to determine what accessories you might need. Also, it would help if you kept in mind while standing at a bike shop that you want to get all the accessories you need and have to keep it as lightweight as possible.
You can get everything from your nearest bike shop, from mountain bike clothing to mountain biking accessories. This is a complete guide on mountain bike accessories, from additional items to extra protection. So, without wasting any time, let’s dig into our bike accessories guide and high-quality product suggestions that you can get quickly to ensure a safe and comfortable mountain bike experience.
Helmets – The Most Vital Accessory
A helmet is an essential mountain bike accessory. Whether you are going biking for an hour or a complete excursion trip, this is the accessory that you cannot miss out on in any case. It would help if you never went on a bike ride without a helmet as it ensures your safety and security in case of an accident or mishap. Choosing a mountain bike helmet is vital instead of a standard helmet to protect you. The mountain bike helmets are explicitly designed to provide you with protection by providing efficient coverage over the occipital and temporal regions of your brain. These trail helmets can be of various types to provide extra protection in challenging trails. For example, you can get a full-face helmet if you are into downhill mountain biking to protect your face, chin, and mouth.
It would help if you chose a helmet that fits you perfectly to provide you with the protection it promises. Moreover, it is also your personal preference what type of helmet you feel the most comfortable in. On top of it, there are specific other preferences of professional bikers as to what additional features they want in their mountain bike helmet. For example, some helmets come equipped with a visor that helps protect against sun and glare. Some of the helmets also feature lights or a GoPro to be attached. Therefore, it is entirely up to you what features you require in your mountain bike helmet and then choose accordingly.
If you are looking for some high-quality mountain bike helmets, we have some suggestions to make. Some of the efficient and superior quality mountain bike helmets include:
Giro Fixture MIPS Adult Mountain Cycling Helmet provides multidirectional impact protection and comes in an in-molding construction. This Giro helmet also has an excellent ventilation system that makes it an ideal choice.
Sena M1 EVO Smart Mesh Communications Mountain Bike Helmets come with a built-in audio communication system that makes them different from other mountain bike helmets available in the market. It also features a very fitting and secure design that makes this helmet a viable option.
Fox Racing Bike-Helmets SPEED FRAME PRO Helmet features an impact foam and comes with an optimized ventilation system. It is also 3-positions adjustable and is compatible with goggles.
BELL Super DH MIPS Adult Mountain Bike Helmet is an excellent option with its enhanced security and performance features. It is sweat-proof and features overbrow ventilation. It is also durable and adjustable.
Mountain Bike MTB Helmet for Adults and Youth features an adjustable custom fit and a strong PC shell along with a high-quality EPS foam. This helmet is also lightweight and comes with an excellent ventilation system.
Troy Lee Designs Adult|All Mountain|Mountain Bike Half Shell A2 Helmet Silver W/MIPS
is a low-profile and adjustable helmet with excellent cooling power. Therefore, this helmet is an excellent choice with its incredible performance features.
Hydration Pack – A Necessity
All the other accessories aside, you should never miss out on a hydration pack in any case. This might not look as necessary, and you might even forget to carry hydration options with you, but after biking for a good thirty minutes, you will realize their importance. Not all bikes are designed to fit a bottle cage. Therefore, it is essential to have a hydration pack with you or hydration bladders if you plan to ride for less than an hour. Backpack-style hydration packs are always a great option as they are easy to carry and are compact. For shorter biking journeys, you can also get hip packs that have enough capacity to last for almost an hour. Many professionals use hip packs because of their smaller size and power to stay during smaller biking trails.
While choosing a backpack-style hydration pack or a bidon, make sure that it has enough volume or capacity to fulfill your requirements on the bike trail. Moreover, look for a secure cap in your bidon so that there is no risk of spillage while roughly biking through the mountains, and also, an easily removable cap is also essential. An easy-to-remove cap will enable you to refill and clean your hydration bladder or bidon conveniently. Some of the highest quality hydration packs include;
the Osprey Raptor hydration backpack, is ideal with its various zipped compartments and magnetic sternum strap bite valve attachment. You can take this backpack wherever you want as it is highly capable of fulfilling your hydration needs.
Camelbak Lobo bike hydration backpack, is also a viable option as it provides a customizable fit and increased stability. Moreover, this backpack is pretty lightweight that makes it easy to carry, and also is breathable.
Source Razor hydration pack, is a low-profile hydration pack with excellent features. It is also pretty easy to refill and clean. Moreover, it is airtight thus preventing any leakage or spillage. Thus, it is a considerable option while browsing through efficient hydration packs.
Arvano hydration pack, features a nylon lining and a zipper closure. It is lightweight and convenient to use. It also comes with an exceptional leak-proof technology and a hydration bladder.
Cycling Clothing & Shoes for Mountain Bike
Cycling clothing plays a significant role in ensuring a comfortable biking experience. Even though the biking clothing might look as if it is some casual clothing, it is not. Mountain bike shorts are different from regular shorts, and the same goes for mountain bike jerseys and other clothing components. Cycling kits come with various clothing components made of more rigid materials than traditional casual clothing, as cycling shorts differ from regular shorts. The stricter material ensures no ripping so that you can ride without worrying about anything. Also, the unique cycling clothing is more flexible and breathable.
These BERGRISAR Men’s Cycling Shorts are a good option as they are custom-fit and multi-purpose. These shorts are pretty stretchable and come with two easy-to-access pockets.
While browsing through mountain bike shorts, choose the ones of decent length, come with at least one zip pocket and a sturdy fastening system. Some people also wear bib shorts underneath the baggy mountain bike shorts. Along with these shorts, you can also get mountain bike gloves, mountain biking shoes, and other items.
You can get these ROCKBROS Mountain Bike Gloves now. These gloves are breathable and comfortable. Also, these gloves come with knuckle protection and gel padding that provide extra protection in all cases. It also features an excellent touch screen design that makes these gloves different from the others in the market.
Mountain biking shoes are also designed to be stiff, hard-wearing, and rugged. These Giro Rincon Men’s Mountain Cycling Shoes are a great option. These shoes feature a comfortable and supportive fit along with a powerful paddling. These shows are also lightweight that makes them n ideal option. Even though you might not consider it necessary to have proper cycling clothing to set out on a trail, it is vital as all the other accessory options.
Body Protection and Pads in Mountain Bike
As you step into complex mountain biking routes and trails, you will feel the necessity of body armor and pads. From elbow pads to velcro straps, everything is essential for beginners and professional bikers. Even if you have belt drive bikes, keeping yourself protected with knee pads, elbow pads, and additional safety padding is always essential. You can also get brake pads that ensure more safety while going on a rougher trail. All these pads and body protection important items are responsible for providing you with ultimate protection in case of an accident and offer a more comfortable and efficient biking experience.
Mountain bike knee and elbow pads come in various materials and sizes so that you can choose according to your requirements. For example, places with hard plastic exteriors are perfect for adrenaline-based mountain biking, while softer pads are ideal for general trail riding. Therefore, it is not to be ignored that your safety is ensured without any pads and body protection as these are some of the essential items.
We recommend this POC, VPD Air+ Tee with Back Protector mountain biking armor if you have not bought one yet. This one is excellent for mountain biking with its ventilated design and VPD air protection feature. It also comes with a secure customizable fit.
You can also get these SCOYCO Knee-and-Shin Guards Elbow Guards for extra protection as they come with an innovative TPU protective shell. These guards are also comfortable and come with a simple buckle function.
Tire Inflation and Other Maintenance Equipment in Mountain Bike
Along with the mountain bike accessories mentioned above, there are certain other accessories or equipment necessary for the maintenance of your mountain bike. Unlike your protection on the mountain bike, you might not pay as much attention to protecting your bike as well. But you should not assume that it is crucial too, not as much as your protection, but it can also risk your life if your bike is not well-maintained. Therefore, below we have some things that can help you ensure that your mountain bike is protected at all times.
Tire Inflation: As a mountain biker, you might be aware of the importance of a suitable tire floor pump, especially one compatible with tubeless tires. An efficient floor pump features both Presta and Schrader valve attachments and can also pump up your tires to the required pressure. It should also come with a built-in tank for building pressure to seat tubeless tires. Flat tires can be a problem that will make you look for a solution immediately. These flat tires can be fixed using a CO2 cartridge or a mini pump. You can also get a tire plug kit for this purpose. You can change your bike tire without any inconvenience with a bit of guidance.
Chain Lubricant: Maintenance of your bike also requires some essential items, especially lubricants for the bike chain and upholding of the bike frame. Chain lube comes in two different types, either dry oil or wet fat. You can choose accordingly what might suit you the best. The wet lube is comparatively more viscous and long-lasting than the dry lubricant. That is why it is used in poor weather conditions. Dry oil requires more frequent applications but remains cleaner. Whatever type of lubricant you are using on your bike chain, make sure to remove the remaining lubricant so that it doesn’t attract any more dirt or grimes.
Frame Protection: Mountain bikes have to bear a lot on a trail. From mud and rocks to sticks and stray debris, everything comes in your way once you set up your bike on a mountain trail. With mountain bike-specific frame protection, you can protect your bike from the daily wear and tear that it has to encounter on the course. Frame protection ensures that your bike’s paint stays in place just as it was when you got the bike. You can also get a minimalistic front mudguard. It is usually attached under the crown or on the downtube; these fenders sit perfectly on the front, keeping your vision completely clear. Some of the highest quality frame protections include;
All Mountain Style AMS High Impact Frame Guard Extra Solid provides strong and durable protection to your bike against all scratches and dings. It is also pretty to install and comes with an automotive-grade adhesive to ensure ultimate sticking.
ENLEE Bike Stickers for Frame Protection Tape is high impact and rub resistant. Also, it is durable and provides exceptional protection. This protection tape is compatible with almost all bikes and is pretty easy to install.
3M Clear Paint Surface Protection Vinyl Film
is invisible but provides extra protection to your bike. It works perfectly against all road damage and reduces paint damage too.
Bike-Specific Degreaser: It is also an important component that ensures the ultimate protection of your bike and aids in its maintenance. A bike-specific degreaser helps remove the build-up around the chain, derailleur jockey wheels, and cassettes. The removal of this build-up ensures that your bike doesn’t experience any premature wearing out. In addition to this, it also helps improve the efficiency and performance of your mountain bike. As it will keep your drivetrain clean, you will have to ensure that the seals around the suspension are free of all the dirt and debris.
Conclusion
Mountain bike accessories come with a wide range, starting from those that ensure your protection to those that promise high efficiency and comfort during the ride to, at last, the ones that are required for bike protection. Even though we have listed some of the essential items above, many more are still not mentioned here. It is entirely dependent on how many of these accessories you need according to your bike trail and journey duration requirements. You can also get a bike multi-tool kit that features a variety of accessories or tools that you might need during your biking excursion. Or you can also buy all the agencies separately. It is your call.
But the essential accessories and things cannot be missed at any cost. For example, you can never skip trail helmets while going on a ride, no matter how much advancement in mountain biking takes place. A helmet is something that you will always need. Similarly, there are other essentials too, like you cannot go on a long biking journey without food or water. Also, you cannot go on a rough mountain biking trail without enough body armor and protection pads. Therefore, these accessories might differ, and you have to determine the number of essentials you will need on your biking tour. Ensure to get enough information about each accessory because heading to a bike shop to avoid any inconvenience. Moreover, look for the accessories that are capable of taking in the daily wear and tear that mountain biking has to offer.
