Just bought a bike, what else do I need?

[AdamIndy]

As the title says really, I’ve just bought a mountain bike, I haven’t ridden for years. Are there any must haves? Do I need to take a spare inner tube with me? I assume a bottle/cage is essential as I’m going to be blowing out of my arse after a few hundred yards.

Do I need to carry a pump everywhere or are tyres a lot less puncture prone now than “when I were a lad”?

I’ll mostly be riding forest tracks and the like locally.

I am on a measly budget so any recommendations on stuff that’s decent but won’t require lube to pay for it?

As a thread is worthless without pics, this is what I’ve bought. Trek Marlin 7, seems really well specced compared to most other bikes at this price point. Plus it’s red so it’s faster.

[rustfalia]

Spare tube with a method to inflate (pump or CO2 canister and some levels. I never leave for a ride without.
A decent multitool comes in handy.

[bmwmike]

Multi tool that actualy covers the main areas of your bike. Wheels especially if no QR.

Oil your chain after every ride and clean it periodically. Rags and oil.

Lights. Cheap LED jobs from ebay are fine for starters. I've got multiple ones up front and back. Great for night riding but also I use them in the day. They are bright as fk especially when aimed correctly and cars will see me in the day. DRL for the bike.

[Simes205]

Ignoring going tubeless, parktool self adhesive patches and as mentioned, pump or better CO2.
Multitool.

[sherbertdip]

having just got back into mountain bikes myself after 20 years away, I've bought the following:

Padded under shorts so I can wear any baggy shorts on top
small pump
under saddle bag
spare inner tube
shock pump


I already had multi tool, tyre levers and patches

[Toltec]

AdamIndy said:

As the title says really, I’ve just bought a mountain bike, I haven’t ridden for years. Are there any must haves? Do I need to take a spare inner tube with me? I assume a bottle/cage is essential as I’m going to be blowing out of my arse after a few hundred yards.

Do I need to carry a pump everywhere or are tyres a lot less puncture prone now than “when I were a lad”?

I’ll mostly be riding forest tracks and the like locally.

I am on a measly budget so any recommendations on stuff that’s decent but won’t require lube to pay for it?

As a thread is worthless without pics, this is what I’ve bought. Trek Marlin 7, seems really well specced compared to most other bikes at this price point. Plus it’s red so it’s faster.

I started up again just under two years ago so this is some of the stuff I aquired-

A decent helmet, if that wasn't obvious
Shoes that fit, I have flats so went for Five Tens
Padded undershorts
Gloves, I have several pairs now, but a lightweight pair will be fine until you get to winter

Depending how far you are going to ride from home/car or basically how far you are going to need to walk if you cannot fix it...

Spare tubes, I'd say two unless you go tubeless in which case one will do.
A multitool that fits the fastenings on your bike
Tyre levers, might be in the above, but actually try using them before you hit the trail.
Spare quick link for your chain and a chain splitter if not in the multitool.
Small pump, I have one that fastens on the side of the bottle cage
Spare valve
Small bag that you can fasten to the seatpost or top tube to carry the above stuff. You can put it in a pocket, but it can get annoying and if you have an off and land on the multitool it hurts.

[AdamIndy]

Cheers for the info everyone, all been taken on board. I’ll get some inner tubes, looking for a lid now and tools etc I have already which is a bonus. I like the idea of the co2 cartridges too! Modern technology, who’d have thought it!

Thanks again, much appreciated.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

Bought a bike... What else do you need... Another bike.

[Usget]

AdamIndy said:

Plus it’s red so it’s faster.

100% correct.

Also - buy padded shorts. Cheap ones are better than none at all. You'll thank us, honest. You can wear them under baggies for extra MTB kudos.

[Justin S]

Camelbaks for hydration and storing all the bits above is something I have used for years and works so well. Just clean the bladder out every ride to prevent mould. Keeps the weight of 'stuff' off the bike.
Padded shorts are great. Buy better than cheaper, such as Endura. I use lusso bib shorts and just over shorts to look less roadie and more MTB which also works well.
Use a dry lube these days and dont over oil. You only need to oil the rollers in the links , not a solid non flexing side plates. All you will manage to do is gunk everything up using gloopy oils or over oiling. I use Finish Line dry lube. If you have suspension, also rub a little of this on the stantions and seals ( not a lot again) to lube the seals to stop them wearing .
Other than that, degrease the chain,as they come with anti rust oils on them, and any new oil wont get in there and will make a grungy mess on the ride.
First aid kit is a good call and depending on where you want to ride a midge repellent in the next few weeks.
Other than that and a decent fitting lid , go and enjoy the freedom it can give ..........and take care.

[Pupp]

A wicked pair of shades; more outlandish and bug-like the better!

[TCX]

Slime inner tubes,multi bike tool with chain splitter,couple chain joiner links,padded short liners so you can wear shorts,3/4s etc,pair of stiff sole shoes I've some composite toe/sole work trainers,gloves,if you come off saves picking gravel put the wounds,enjoy the ride

[RizzoTheRat]

The little under saddle bags are well worth it. Enough space for a set of tyre levers (metal, plastic ones tend to be pretty rubbish), patches and a multi tool. Decathlon does an ok range of cheap stuff if you want to keep the price down.

[Howaboutthis]

Nice bike, enjoy. Of course, you can get puncture resistant tyres for not too many bucks. Just sayin'....

[deeen]

AdamIndy said:

Cheers for the info everyone, all been taken on board. I’ll get some inner tubes, looking for a lid now and tools etc I have already which is a bonus. I like the idea of the co2 cartridges too! Modern technology, who’d have thought it!

Thanks again, much appreciated.

I still take a small (£2.99) pump, I use it to put a bit of air in a punctured tube to find the puncture, and to put a bit of air in the new tube to help avoid pinch punctures as I fit it, then the CO2 to get the required pressure.

Yes, and well done on buying a red one!

[AdamIndy]

Again, thanks for all the advice. I've ordered some Altura padded shorts today as that seems to be the most recommended thing. I've also ordered loads of other stuff too but to be brutally honest, there's that much that I can't remember what I've ordered!

From what I can remember I've ordered
2 continental tubes
Giro MIPS helmet
Padded shorts
Bottle cage and thermal bottle
And some other stuff that I can't remember.

I have wurth dry chain lube which I used for my track bike(Motorbike) I have various multitools that I've hoarded I've the years and I'm sure I have a pump in the garage somewhere.

Just one last question if I may. Tyre pressures, what should I be aiming for? I honestly do appreciate it's a how long is a piece of string question but as a general guide? I do understand tyre pressure make monumental differences to anything else with wheels so I don't see why a mountain bike would be any different.

Thanks again for the advice, I really do appreciate it!

[alabbasi]

If you're going to ride on the street, helmet , water bottle , high visibility clothing and lights and a water proof rain jacket
No cell phone, no headphones if that's not obvious, you have to be sharp for yourself and others

[David_M]

I haven't seen anyone suggest a track pump - ie a big pump that you keep at home not the little one that you take on the bike with you. It makes it enormously easier to inflate tyres, top up pressures, deal with punctures at home.

[sam.rog]

First question is where are you going to ride. Mountains, bridle paths or road/canals.

Absolute minimum imo is
Helmet
Pump
Multitool
Tyre levers + inner tube + patches

Nice to have
Another spare tube
Cycling shoes
Padded shorts
Cycling specific clothing

Really nice to have
Bike maintenance stand
Another bike
Very deep pockets if the cycling bug bites.

[mikey P 500]

AdamIndy said:

Again, thanks for all the advice. I've ordered some Altura padded shorts today as that seems to be the most recommended thing. I've also ordered loads of other stuff too but to be brutally honest, there's that much that I can't remember what I've ordered!

From what I can remember I've ordered
2 continental tubes
Giro MIPS helmet
Padded shorts
Bottle cage and thermal bottle
And some other stuff that I can't remember.

I have wurth dry chain lube which I used for my track bike(Motorbike) I have various multitools that I've hoarded I've the years and I'm sure I have a pump in the garage somewhere.

Just one last question if I may. Tyre pressures, what should I be aiming for? I honestly do appreciate it's a how long is a piece of string question but as a general guide? I do understand tyre pressure make monumental differences to anything else with wheels so I don't see why a mountain bike would be any different.

Thanks again for the advice, I really do appreciate it!

Re tire pressure between 25psi and 30psi is the norm, you will pick up more punctures if much lower than that running inner tubes still and loose alot of grip off road much higher than that.