When it comes down to it, mountain biking is a simple sport. All you need is something resembling a trail and the right bike and you’re on your way. Despite the simple appearance though, there are several pieces of gear that you don’t want to step onto the trail without. To help you be as prepared as possible for your next ride, the ASO Mammoth team has created a quick guide to mountain biking must haves.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, check out ASO Mammoth’s mountain biking must haves and see if you have everything you need. If you don’t, stop by ASO Mammoth for all of your mountain biking and outdoor sports needs!
What You Should Have on the Trail
When you’re on the trail, there are two things you need to focus on, your bike and your body. While the gear needed to maintain your bike will vary based on what kind of bike you have, there are essentials that every mountain biker should carry regardless of their bike.
You should always have at least a knife or multitool that allows you to perform basic adjustments and maintenance on your bike. You may need more gear for your bike if you’re riding an e-bike for example, but a knife or multitool will solve basic problems on just about any bike. You should also carry duct tape or zip ties in case you need to make repairs on the trail. We lean towards zip ties as they’re lighter than a role of duct tape, but both are great choices.
For your body, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t pack anything that’s beyond your experience to use. While everyone should carry gauze pads, anti-bacterial ointment, and basic medication like Benadryl or Tylenol, not everyone should carry sutures. Everyone can use gauze and basic medication like Benadryl, but not everyone can correctly apply sutures. In fact, using medical supplies like sutures could make an injury worse so it is best to carry what you know how to use. Another easy to carry item that can make a difference on the trail is tweezers. If you come into contact with a stinging insect or plant such as a cactus tweezers will allow you to remove stingers or needles and they’re easy to pack, so always carry a pair with you on the trail.
What You Should Have in Your Car
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, and the same goes for gear when you’re on the trail. That’s why you should leave a pack in your car full of gear and supplies that are too heavy to carry but still necessary to have a safe ride.
For starters, you should have backups of all the gear and supplies you carry with you on the trail. Whether it’s because your pack unzipped while you were riding and you lost the multitool you need to fix your bike or you’ve had to use up all of your gauze pads, extra supplies and gear can be a life saver.
You should also keep gear you may need in case you need to camp out for the night. Extra water, food, matches, batteries, and flashlights should all be in your car in case you’re stranded in the wilderness. You should also have heavier medical gear such as bandages, splints, and trauma shears in case of an emergency.
Carry these items with you and others to make sure you have a safe ride!