Essential accessories for an MTB ride

Every MTB ride has its share of surprises, good or bad. We'll focus on the bad ones — those that can truly ruin your enjoyment. There are crashes, punctures, physical setbacks, mechanical incidents, unpredictable weather… To make the most of your ride, it is better to anticipate these risks and plan all the solutions to overcome them.

Probikeshop invites you to take stock of the essential accessories to bring on an MTB ride.

Preparing well for your MTB ride

Hitting the trails is not without risk, especially if you ride regularly. Exposed to the terrain, your bike is not immune to a mechanical failure or a puncture, which can strike without warning. You yourself may experience a crash, suffer in the rain or even dehydration. Fortunately, there are the essential accessories for the MTB rider in distress, which can save a ride that has got off to a bad start.

To prepare well for an MTB ride, it is not enough to choose a good route. You also need to take stock of all the items that could be useful along the way. Your choice depends mainly on the length of your ride. Obviously, setting off on an MTB tour requires far more equipment than a quick session decided on leaving the office.

If we raise the question of how many accessories to bring on an MTB ride, we must also dwell on transport solutions. Backpack or hip pack? Bidon or hydration bladder? The idea is to always optimise your load, so as not to over-encumber yourself and hinder your handling.

Essential accessories for short MTB rides (under 3 hours)

Some accessories are always useful, regardless of the rider's profile or the type of ride. These are "the essentials" that go with you everywhere! We're talking about basic supplies (water and snacks) and the minimum tools for common repairs. We're not talking about the helmet, whose importance goes without saying.

Repair: inner tube, mini pump, tyre levers and multi-tool

You should always remember to bring your puncture repair kit. You need at minimum one inner tube, a mini pump (or a CO2 cartridge and a puncture device if you are used to them) and tyre levers.

A compact multi-tool is another "essential". It takes up very little space and gets you out of trouble in many situations. Thanks to the various Allen keys, you can tighten certain fixings or make adjustments at the side of the trail. We recommend choosing a multi-tool with a chain breaker function and carrying a quick link.

All these items fit easily into a saddle bag. The pump can be attached to the bottle cage mount, the inner tube strapped to a frame tube.

Basic hydration and nutrition

Even for a short ride, make sure you have at least one water bottle. It normally fits in its bottle cage, otherwise it can be stored in the dedicated pocket of your hip pack.

Take at least one cereal bar to keep your ride safe. Stored in a jersey pocket or in your hip pack, it helps you get through a moment of weakness and stave off the hunger knock.

The indispensable mobile phone

A mobile phone is essential for managing urgent situations. You remain reachable and can call for help in the event of a bad crash. The smartphone can also help you find your way back if you are riding without a GPS bike computer. Remember to store it in a pocket sheltered from rain/sweat or to keep it in a waterproof case.

The hip pack: practical for short rides

For a short MTB ride that is meant to be fast and dynamic, avoid carrying a backpack. It is better to ride unencumbered, without loading your back and shoulders. The hip pack or MTB hip pack, which is far less bulky, is a good alternative. Light and practical, it fades into the background in the heat of the action! You can easily store your keys, phone, change, supplies, tools, etc.