The Essentials: What Gear for What Ride
There are many gear lists floating around the interwebs. What to pack with you on your mountain bike is really a personal decision, but its one that should be well thought out for your particular ride. We sat down with our master mechanic and avid rider Aaron Breitbard and asked him what his take is. He broke it down into 3 nifty categories depending on the ride. (And of course, longer rides should include the items listed in the previous categories.)
The Basic Short Ride
The "short ride" is one not too far from your garage. This is the ride when you just need to hop on the bike and get out there without too much thought as to where that might be, and what you should be taking with you. These short rides don't need to be complicated. If you break down on a short ride, suck it up and just hump it home. No big deal. Ultimately for these short rides, there are only 3 things you really need to take with you:
1) A bike ! I mean, without that, what are we talking about?
2) Helmet. No excuses here- whether it be skiing or hoping on your bike, don't be stupid. Cover up that dome. Your brain lives in there.
3) Hydration. This is also pretty basic but an often overlooked item. Bring water with you. Whenever and wherever. It doesn't need to be a full blown hydro pack, it can just be the simple yet oh-so-effective plastic water bottle strapped to your bike. Whatever it is, fill it up and take it with you. And on hot days, don't forget the ice!
The Long Ride
These rides are the ones you've planned out a bit more, and are maybe taking a few buddies with you. These rides can be anywhere from a few hours out on the trail to a half days worth of riding. And when you are going to be on the trail for a half day, you'd better have some contingencies:
1) Nutrition. Make a few bags of trail mix. Bring the electrolyte goo. Whatever your favorite snacks for the trail, bring an extra for your buddy.
2) Flat Repair. When you're 10 miles out, flats start to really suck. Especially when you have to bum a patch off some other rider.
3) Multi-tool. Many handy repair kits these days come with some basic tools along with the flat kit. Having a dedicated multi-tool along with those kits can be extra helpful for other repairs or adjustments.
4) Master Link. Breaking a chain sucks. But fret not! A master link is a tinny little part that might just save the day. Tuck it in with your repair kit.
5) Plugs (for tubeless). For tubeless setups, having some tire plugs is generally all you'll need to be back up and riding after you hit that shard of granite.
6) Basic First Aid. It doesn't need to be expedition size, but just enough to patch up that busted shin. No one likes blood soaked socks.
The Epic Ride
These are the big ones, the rides that take you from dawn till dusk, the rides you might talk about for a few days afterward, and the rides where you need to pack out the maximum amount of stuff. There are just a few more things to add for these rides, and that's bike parts.
1) Zip ties. Yup, the lowly zip tie. There is no telling what you might use it for.
2) Derailleur cable. Wrap it up in a nice compact coil and fit it in with your tool kit.
3) Derailleur Hanger. When this breaks, your humping it out, period. Also fits nicely in the tool kit.
Want to add to the list? Drop us a comment below.