In this post we want you to know all the essentials you should carry with you on your mountain biking routes, so you will be more than prepared to ride safely and enjoy every ride to the fullest!

You're riding your bike through the mountains and... "Oh, I've got a flat tyre and I don't have the equipment to repair it". You've just reached the top of a tough area, you're exhausted and... "I'm thirsty, but I have no water left...". The day is getting dark or the trail is very dense and... "I'd like to have more visibility". Maybe you have experienced some of these situations on your bike. If not, you should know that these are very typical cycling situations that can be avoided by being clear about the essentials you should always carry with you when starting a route.

Before we begin to list them, it is to be noted that you will not find parts of cycling equipment on the list because it is obvious that you should always wear them for cycling. By this we mean helmets, goggles, clothing that must be specific to cycling and suitable for the time of year, gloves, shoes, etc... Now, once you are equipped, it is time to put in your pockets or on the bike what you may need at some point of the route. That's where we are going to focus now. Will you join us to discover it?

mountain bike

It is a mandatory element between sunset and sunrise and at any time of day in tunnels, underpasses or weather conditions that reduce visibility. 

A very common mistake, is to think that lights are not necessary or are a burden on your bike. Even if you think visibility is good, you can't imagine how much a rear light can help, for example, it can help a vehicle to notice you from a sufficient distance to give you a safe distance. More than an oversight, most of the time that lights are not carried on the bicycle is because it is believed that they are not necessary, and this is something that must change.

In the mountains, despite being a sunny day with good visibility, you may find yourself stuck in paths or leafy áreas where visibility decreases. Having good light is essential for safe riding.

bicycle lights

Bicycle multi-tool wrench

"Less is more." I'm sure you've heard this expression before. Well, multi-tool wrenches are a good example of this. In a small size and ideal for transport, they provide many functionalities and are a solution to many mechanical problems.

It is advisable to have one that has the most recurrent keys and offers a high range of action in case of failure. From here, you will find them in different sizes and weights, more minimalist or less, but all of them with a contained size and designed to be transported while cycling. Choose the one that best suits you and the one you like the most when using it. In addition, there are very complete multi-tool wrenches that include chain cutters, spoke wrenches and even bottle opener or knife.

At Eltin, we have a wide range of models for you to find the one you need.

Bicycle multi-tool wrench

If your bike is a tube bike, i.e. you do not have the tubeless system, at least one spare tube should always become your road companion.

As a cyclist, one of the worst experiences is to get a flat tire along the way and be stranded because you have no spare parts or accessories to repair it. If this happens, the first thing you should have on hand is a spare tube. It is recommended that you carry it folded in a saddle bag, as it will be very compact and take up as little space as possible.

Among all the options of tubes for bicycle wheels, you should look carefully and choose the one that matches the valve (presta or schrader), the size of your wheel, the width you usually ride and, if applicable, the right valve size to be compatible with wheels with a wide rim profile.

We are still in the situation where you have a flat tire and you have a spare tube. The next step is to dismount the tire to replace the punctured tube with the new one. This process can be difficult or even impossible to perform without a tire changer, since removing and inserting a tire, especially a mountain tire, is not an easy task and requires a lot of force that is difficult to perform with your hands.

The solution is small and very efficient, as they take up minimal space and weight. The detachables help you both take the tire off and then put it back. Thanks to its two "positions" or ways of use. You should carry at least two or three on your rides and keep them with your camera in your saddle bag or in your pockets.

detachable bicycle tires

Hand pump or CO2 cartridges

We continue with the puncture, but now reaching its end. With the inner tube changed and the tire on, it's time to inflate the tire to get back on the road. To achieve this, a hand pump is needed to fill the tire with air. For mountain biking, it is recommended that the hand pump be small (so that it fits in your pocket) and light to carry, but at the same time "powerful" enough to provide all the volume the wheel needs without the need to give countless arm strokes.

In addition, you must make sure that the pump in question is suitable for both Presta and Schrader valves so that it can be used on both types of valves or at least that it fits the valve your bike has.

On the other hand, a novelty in cycling today is the appearance of CO2 cartridges, which allow filling the wheel in a few seconds without the need for a pump. In addition, there are already pumps such as the Eltin Mini Pump, which allow a combination of inflating the inner tube in the traditional way or by means of a CO2 cartridge with a coupling for this purpose. Even multitools such as the Eltin 10 in 1 plus CO2, which incorporate a coupling for CO2 cartridges. The hand pump can be carried on the frame, as all of them usually have an attachment on them, or in your pockets if you prefer.

In addition to the issue of punctures, for which you obviously need a hand pump to be able to keep riding, in mountain biking it can be useful and common to play with the tire pressure depending on the state of the terrain and weather conditions. For example, when the terrain is very wet or muddy, lowering the pressure will be beneficial for more grip, while for more compact terrain and rolling terrain, a higher pressure will make you ride faster and more comfortably. Therefore, carrying a hand pump on your rides will allow you to easily and quickly change the pressure by adding or removing air from the tire.

hand pump with CO2

Chain link and quick link for bicycle chain

The truth is that it is not a common breakdown if you carry out a good maintenance and periodic review of the chain, but it can happen, especially in mountain biking, that it can be damaged by the action of jumps, bumps, stones and other elements. This is why in road cycling it is not usual to carry a chain cutter and quick link, but in the mountains it is advisable and can save you in the event of a breakdown.

You're probably thinking that carrying a chain sprocket on your routes is too much and can be uncomfortable, and the truth is that you're right. But there is a solution. There are multi-tools, such as Eltin's 14-in-1 and 17-in-1 multi-tool wrenches, which incorporate a chain cutter in an ideal small size.

However, as the name suggests, the chain tool is used to separate the links, so without a spare quick-release link you will not be able to repair it. Therefore, carrying a quick-release link is necessary so that you don't have to walk home.

chain cutter

Your cell phone, always in your jersey pocket

The cell phone has become practically an extension of our hand. This has its advantages and disadvantages. One of its advantages is, without a doubt, it allows us to be connected at all times and to contact someone in case of need, as well as to determine our location in case of emergency.

For this reason, always carry your cell phone with you on your cycling routes, so that it can notify you in case of an unforeseen event and know your location when you need it. Oh, and while you're at it, don't forget to take a photo of the route!

cycle routes

Cycling water bottle and some food

Hydration is essential in sports. It is necessary to replenish fluids and hydrate continuously. Regardless of the time of the year, it is essential to drink from time to time, even if you are not thirsty.

In a sport like cycling, where the routes are long and the effort is continuous and progressive, hydration plays a fundamental role. You may not feel thirsty, but as you progressively use up fluids and energy, there comes a time when you suddenly feel that empty sensation popularly known as "pájara". This happens because of poor management of food and hydration, which is why it is so important to drink from time to time.

There are water bottles of different sizes and shapes so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. In addition, and especially on the hottest days, you can combine water with an isotonic drink or a drink with salts, so mounting another bottle holder on the frame of your bike will be very useful for this purpose.

Just as with water, giving your body the energy it needs is essential to avoid ending up empty, without energy and with that feeling called "pájara" that you may have experienced as a cyclist. Nutrition is also training, and it is essential to know what to take, when and for what kind of situations.

Before leaving, plan how long the route will take and the stops you will make, if any. If the route is long, you can plan a stop for a drink in a cafeteria, bakery or bar to replenish the necessary strength to continue. If you do not have enough time to make a stop, it is very effective to stock up with energy bars or gels. Fortunately, sports nutrition has come a long way in recent years and there are more and more solutions to provide the necessary energy and give the body what it needs for proper performance on the pedals.

Documentation and money

By law, you must always go out with your ID card or other official identification document. Therefore, always carry it with you. In addition, it never hurts to carry some cash to be able to have a drink in a bar, buy something you need or have it available in case of emergency to take a cab, public transport...

We recommend that you keep both the money and the identification document in a small bag or similar so that they do not come loose in the jersey pocket or get lost.

With all this under control and with the desire to start pedaling, start each route prepared and launch yourself into unique experiences on your bike.

#KeepOnCycling

Comments (0)

Product added to wishlist