A multi-tool can be the difference between walking home and riding home! Learn how I stay safe and prepared on the trail with these mountain bike pack essentials.
Quick tips on what to carry in your mtb pack
You’re out on the trail, miles away from your car, with no cell service, and you get a flat. Do you have the mountain bike pack essentials to repair it or are you doomed for a several-hour hike-a-bike back to the trailhead? How about a spare derailleur hanger to keep your shifting working smoothly or a multi-tool to fix a loose bolt?
If you’ve been caught unprepared, don’t worry – we’ve all been there, even me! But, having a well-stocked pack filled with a few key items can rescue you from misery on the trail. It might even save you from a more serious situation.
If you’re just starting out as a mountain biker, you might not know what to bring mountain biking. That’s ok! I’m here to help. In this post, I’ve rounded up the mtb pack essentials as well as a few additional pieces of gear that I like to always take with me on longer and bigger backcountry adventures. You won’t need them until you do, so it’s best to always be prepared!
Mountain Bike Tools & Spares
1. A Multi-Tool
I love a good multi-tool. They have saved me countless times on the trail when I’ve needed to tighten bolts, adjust my rear derailleur, fix a broken chain, or do other trailside quick fixes. If you only carry one tool with you on a mountain bike ride, make it a multi-tool.
A good multi-tool, like the Crank Brothers Multi-19, will have at least a chain breaker, a Torx T25, and 2 through 8 mm hex wrenches (Allen keys). These are the basic tools you should need for most trailside fixes. More complete tools will have both types of screwdriver heads, pliers, a wire cutter, and other various tools.
Multi-tools are needed for:
2. Snacks! (and water)
You can always count on me to bring extra mountain bike snacks! I also like to carry a few SaltStick Fast Chews. I sweat a lot when I ride and I find that these electrolyte tabs help so much on longer or hotter days.
Also, be sure to carry enough water. I drink a lot, so I typically carry at least 2 L no matter how short my ride is. It’s better to be over-prepared than under.
3. A Hand Pump
Whether you forgot to check tire pressure before you hit the trail or you got a flat and need to pump up the new tube, a hand pump is a non-negotiable tool to carry with you on a mountain bike ride.
Valve type
Most hand pumps work with both valve types – Schrader and Presta – but double-check your valve stem to make sure the one you buy will work with your bike.
CO2 cartridge compatibility
Some hand pumps are compatible with CO2 cartridges, which makes fixing flats super quick and easy. However, CO2 cartridges can get expensive if you use a lot of them, so it’s nice to have the choice to pump up tires manually or inflate quickly with a dose of CO2.
If you choose a pump that isn’t CO2 compatible, you can always buy a CO2 inflator separately.
My top picks
The One Up EDC Pump isn’t the cheapest pump out there, but I like it for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it attaches directly to the valve stem instead of via a twist-on ‘hose’ like other bike pumps. The twist-on style can unscrew the valve core and let all the air out in a blast, which is annoying, to say the least. I also like this pump because it has a CO2 inflator attachment, so you don’t need to carry a separate one. It’s got a few more bells and whistles, which you can see in this EDC Pump video review.
If $65 is a bit steep (I don’t blame you), I also have the Crank Brothers Sterling Pump, which is basic but, does the job. It’s not CO2-compatible, though, so you’ll need to carry an inflator if you want to use CO2 cartridges.
4. Tubeless Tire Plug Kit
If you have tubeless tires on your bike, then it’s a really good idea to carry a tubeless tire plug kit. When inserted into a puncture in your tire, tire plugs seal up holes in seconds and they can even hold for the life of your tire. Meaning, carrying inner tubes is a thing of the past!
Tire plugs are basically sticky strips that you push into the puncture with a push pin. The Tubeless Tackle Kit is one of my favorites because it includes plug strips, a push pin, extra valve cores, and a valve core tightener on the bottom.
In order for tire plugs to work, you do need sealant in your tires. Fresh sealant should be added every couple of months. Learn more about basic mountain bike maintenance here.
Note: A lot of tubeless plug kits are designed to fit inside the ends of your handlebars. For some people, this is what they’re looking but for others, it’s not. Double-check before you buy to make sure you’re getting what you want.
Tire plug kits are needed for:
5. Master Chain Link
While not super common, chains can break on the trail, and unless you have a master link (and a multi-tool with a chain breaker like the Crank Brothers Multi-Tool above), you’re out of luck. Master links are small, very lightweight, and a ride-saver if you ever need one.
Note: Master links, also called quick links, are drivetrain specific, so make sure you know whether you have a 12-speed, 11-speed, Sram, or Shimano or something else entirely.
Master links are needed for:
Looking for a new hydration pack?
Carry all your tools, water, and snacks for your ride. I know there are three camps when it comes to mountain bikers: the hydration backpackers, the hip packers, and the water bottlers.
I fall firmly in the hydration backpack club for a few reasons. I drink a lot of water, I eat a lot of snacks, and I like to be prepared with all the tools and spares I might need (especially when mountain biking alone).
The Osprey Raven (Raptor for the guys) is my favorite pack that I’ve tried. It has a ton of organization including its own tool roll, it’s comfortable, and it can carry a 3L water reservoir.
6. Zip Ties
Zip ties are like duct tape. They can be used for so many different things and having a couple in your pack can lead to a swift mountain bike hack.
Zip ties can be used to secure errant cables, temporarily replace bolts or take the place of a broken shoelace, among many other creative uses. I always have a few zip ties in my pack for quick fixes.
Good-to-haves For longer rides
The five mountain bike pack essentials listed above are what I consider the necessities. I carry them with me on almost every ride and for the most part, they never leave my backpack.
However, sometimes it’s good to be even more prepared, especially if you’re heading out on a longer or more rugged, backcountry ride. Below are a few “good-to-have’s” for these types of rides.
How to carry your tools & Gear
When it comes to carrying your mountain bike pack essentials, there are a number of options. It’s important to remember, though, that there is no ‘one’ right way to carry your gear, it really comes down to personal preference.
Here are a few popular options:
I hope this list helps you plan and prepare for many mishap-free days in the saddle! What are your mountain bike pack essentials and how do you carry them? What tools or gear did I miss? Leave a comment below!
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