“Must have” MTBing accessories

[cramman]

I’ve started getting into MTBing and I’m looking for my a new decent bike, I think my current one will snap soon it was never designed for the abuse it’s getting recently.

I’m a keen roadie and cycle to work most days so have some knowledge and kit, but I was wandering what I should be buying for the MTB.

The obvious things for me;

Spare tube and sticky patches
Tyre levers
pump/gas
Multi Tool with chain tool
Spare links/pins
Speed link
I take my Leatherman on longer routes

So, what MTB specific things to I ‘need’?

I see those things that stop the chain hanging too low, or at least that’s what it seems to do. Any use?

Is it worth going tubeless? Any recomendations?

Pedals. I’m used to clipless, spd and looks on the roadies but like the idea of the double sided pedals for MTBing, ie one side clipp, the other flat. Any recommendations or should I MTFU and just be clipped in all the time, even when I’m lying in a hedge?

Bar ends? Are these a thing of the past? I always thought they were nice when climbing.

Anything I’m missing?

Before starting this I was sure there was more, but I’ve drawn a blank. I’ll probably be back soon.

Cheers,

Cramman

Edited by cramman on Tuesday 17th January 20:42

Edited by cramman on Tuesday 17th January 20:54

[Rolls]

IMO you've got the basics covered - anything else is just personal preference!
You may want a camelbak (I use one when offroad), but again, up to you!

[Dracoro]

mega lumens exposure helmet light! Why should the night stop you having fun in the forests

[Beyond Rational]

I've always bought a spare derailleur hanger for any bike I've owned, but I've only needed that once.

Still, if you are away riding for a weekend, it is useful to have as some shops may not have them.

[anonymous-user]

You need a DCD, its an essential for every mtber....;-)

[RobDickinson]

Some cable ties or tape...

[Rolls]

Beyond Rational said:

I've always bought a spare derailleur hanger for any bike I've owned, but I've only needed that once.

Still, if you are away riding for a weekend, it is useful to have as some shops may not have them.

IMO i would do this... - is the one thing I forgot (and I too always carry a spare rear hanger when on the mountain bike.. - only had to use the spare once, but always handy just in case!)

[rhinochopig]

You're missing a basic first aid kit and a space-blanket. I'd recommend a reflexcell one - heavier but properly warm

The thing with MTB'ing is that you are typically away from easy access so if you do stack it badly it will take a mountain rescue team or sea king at the very least an hour to get to you. GPS is handy in that respect if you ride on moorland as you give a 10 figure fix of your location. Trail centres less so.

Oh and duck tape - there is NOTHING that can't be bodged with duck tape.

[a11y_m]

pablo said:

You need a DCD, its an essential for every mtber....;-)

But only if anodised purple, for the full effect of course...



Mech hanger is an essential bit of kit IME. Either that or ride steel frames where you just bend the hanger back into shape!

[cramman]

rhinochopig said:

You're missing a basic first aid kit and a space-blanket. I'd recommend a reflexcell one - heavier but properly warm

The thing with MTB'ing is that you are typically away from easy access so if you do stack it badly it will take a mountain rescue team or sea king at the very least an hour to get to you. GPS is handy in that respect if you ride on moorland as you give a 10 figure fix of your location. Trail centres less so

Oh and duck tape - there is NOTHING that can't be bodged with duck tape.

Good idea, I always carry a space blanket skiing so I'll make sure it comes with me on the bike.

hanger is a good one as well.

And, cable tires/tape, forgot to mention those.

Cheers.

[anonymous-user]

a11y_m said:

pablo said:

You need a DCD, its an essential for every mtber....;-)

But only if anodised purple, for the full effect of course...



Mech hanger is an essential bit of kit IME. Either that or ride steel frames where you just bend the hanger back into shape!

i genuinely have no recollection of posting that, i remember leaving teh pub, i remember getting in the taxi, i remember falling straight asleep but....that?..... hmmm... *wonders which other forums he posted nonsense on whilst in the taxi*

[cramman]

pablo said:

You need a DCD, its an essential for every mtber....;-)

Dcd?

Also, what about shock pumps?

[rhinochopig]

cramman said:

pablo said:

You need a DCD, its an essential for every mtber....;-)

Dcd?

Also, what about shock pumps?

Not worth it really. Once set up most people typically leave them alone. Unless you get one that can act as a shock replacement if your seals fail - but I've never seen that happen, and it is quite rare.

Remember the more you carry, the harder it gets on the ups.

[Gooby]

INHO going tubeless is essential.

I find my leatherman to be incredibly useful.

You also need zip ties and some duct tape. Don't take the entire roll of duct tape, just take a meter or so off the roll and spool it on to your pump. I would also pack some tyre patches, the park ones are good. I also take a tube of super glue and a spare hanger.

This is personal preference but I take quite a small multitool and separate chain tool. The chain tool on a multi tool is fiddly and awkward. Because I have gone tubeless, I also take a small bottle of stans. On longer trips I take a set of brake pads and spring.

This sounds a lot but it all fits snugly in the camelback and the bulk of it all fits in a small Tupperware box.

On very small rides, (hour or so) I have a saddle pack that fits a spare tube, gas, park patches, levers and a multi- tool.

[Mr E]

Beyond Rational said:

I've always bought a spare derailleur hanger for any bike I've owned, but I've only needed that once.

Certainly carry one of these. I've torn a mech off a couple of times, and it's a pain in the arse.

rhinochopig said:

Oh and duck tape - there is NOTHING that can't be bodged with duck tape.

Including people....

[rhinochopig]

Mr E said:

Beyond Rational said:

I've always bought a spare derailleur hanger for any bike I've owned, but I've only needed that once.

Certainly carry one of these. I've torn a mech off a couple of times, and it's a pain in the arse.

rhinochopig said:

Oh and duck tape - there is NOTHING that can't be bodged with duck tape.

Including people....

That must have been one hell of an off to lodge the rear mech there.

[jshell]

cramman said:

Pedals. I’m used to clipless, spd and looks on the roadies but like the idea of the double sided pedals for MTBing, ie one side clipp, the other flat. Any recommendations or should I MTFU and just be clipped in all the time, even when I’m lying in a hedge?

I'd just go with spd both sides as then you can choose to unclip, but don't have to mess about flipping the pedal over to get clipped back in. Too much hassle in my opinion.

[zasker]

cramman said:

pablo said:

You need a DCD, its an essential for every mtber....;-)

Dcd?

Also, what about shock pumps?

Dave's Chain Device, the thing you mention for tensioning the chain. Didn't know you could still get them.

[a11y_m]

cramman said:

Dcd?

Dave's Chain Device - an early chain device: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7... Of limited relevance to this thread but pablo's beer-induced posting was amusing all the same

I carry:
- Blackburn mini-pump
- 2 x tubes
- Parks glueless patches
- extra normal patches plus tube of glue stuff
- 2 x tyre levers
- some bits of plastic drinks bottle (better than tyre boots IME)
- Crank Bros multi-tool incorporting a decent chain tool, allen/torx keys, etc
- SRAM powerlinks
- a few cable ties
- roll of electrical tape (almost as good as duct tape)
- a PAYG mobile phone switched off, for emergency use only
- emergency jelly babies, but more often than not get scoffed in non-emergency situations...

[Red 4]

as above plus cash