So you’ve bought a new mountain bike and are ready to shred. That’s awesome! But before you hop on your bike and head out, you should prepare yourself (a little at least). You’ll be faced with Mother Nature and the worst she’ll have to throw at you.. probably at the worst possible time. This can be the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable ride (in spite of any ‘circumstances’), or in some cases far more serious. The knowledge that you’ve got everything you need inspires confidence to explore new places and push harder lines. With that said, here are the most essential items to take with you to the trails.
Osprey Viper 3 Hydration Pack
As all mountain bikers will know, riding (especially in summer) will be synonymous with sweating buckets, things can get a little intense at times but thanks to this backpack, you can push yourself to the limits without having to worry about it. If you’re looking to go on a quick ride after a long day, the Osprey Viper 3 Hydration Pack will not only carry your water and protect your back (to some degree at least), but is also big enough to fit all the tools you might need without going overboard.
It offers the suspension that is designed to help you be fast and light as you roll through the trails. Furthermore, its weight is spread across a ventilated mesh back panel, with a foam frame sheet, ensuring you have comfort and stability. It also has purpose built mtb features like the innovative LidLock helmet attachment system and the LT 2.5-litre reservoir, among others. It’s the best pack we’ve found for the money and our confident choice that will last you for years.
Topeak Mountain Morph Pump
You will need a pump at some point for certain, whether you’re tubed or tubless or have ‘puncture proof’ tyres (we’ve heard that one before), there will come a time when you’re in desperate need of one. Probably at your furthest possible point from home – just as it’s started raining. Our first choice would have to be the Topeak Mountain Morph Pump. It’s large volume and reliable valves make it like having a small, unconventional track pump in your bag. The high-volume barrel will fill your fat tires incredibly fast while inflation is a snap, thanks to the fold-out foot pad and the flexible hose. This also can make all the difference when trying to snap tubeless tyres back onto the rim with the sudden increase of pressure required. For such an essential piece of kit that you probably won’t ever be replacing (unless you leave it somewhere) – getting the Topeak or an equivalent should be a primary consideration.
Park Tool PFP8 – Floor Pump
For lifelong workshop tools, Park Tool is the standard choice for the vast majority of bike shops and serious riders. This company sets the industry standard and the PFP8 Floor Pump definitely maintains it. You can smoothly fit Dunlop, Presta and Schrader valves, without even thinking about switching any internal parts. A simple composite head makes sure of that. Also, with an incredibly stable steel base and huge foot pads, you can pump your tires in absolute comfort.
Additional Items to Bring Along
Other bits we’d recommend
Inner tubes / tubeless fluid (£2 is a small price for not having to walk home)
Allen keys (for when your bars get bent at the wrong angle after a crash)
Tyre Levers (to take the tyres off when you need to stick a new inner in there)
Pedro’s Bench in a Box tools – Pedro’s worked a miracle and stuffed every tool of a home workshop into a single box. You have a hangable T-handled set of hex keys with more goodies than you could think of. This includes a T25 Torx key along with long 6,8 and 10mm ones, assorted Y tools and so much more. Keeping this small box in the car (with a few bits from it in your bag) would be optimal.
(Ideally Fox) Gloves – Almost as important as a helmet, in any crash your hands will usually be the first point of contact with the ground and often the worst affected in a crash. Gloves such as those made by fox also include ‘sticky’ grips that will give you a better grip on your brake levers and interwoven metallic fibres in the fingers to allow you to use your phone with them on.