What's a must-have for a mountain bike tour? We'll tell you. Here's a list of the most important MTB gear must-haves to help you be optimally prepared for your next adventure.
Mountain bike equipment: What is the basic equipment?
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced rider, anyone who invests time in selecting the right gear will be rewarded with an unforgettable MTB tour. Some essentials should be included on every mountain bike ride. The following four items are part of the basic MTB equipment:
- MTB sports glasses or bike goggles
- MTB helmet
- Bike gloves: Protect your hands from wind, weather and injuries
- Bike shoes
Better safe than sorry: MTB protective equipment and protectors
For optimal protection and safety, there are a few essential items you should definitely bring with you on your mountain bike tour. Protectors aren't just relevant in the bike park. Back protectors and elbow pads are especially important for downhill riding. Knee pads and shin guards are also becoming increasingly popular on trails and in freeride. MTB protective gear includes the following:
- Neck Brace (for fast trails)
- knee pads
- Elbow pads
- Back protectors
- shin guards
Mountain bike equipment: What you absolutely need
There are some items that seem so obvious that you could easily forget them. You should carry a multi-tool on every mountain bike ride to be prepared for any eventuality. Other essentials for mountain biking include:
- Brakes, brake discs, and brake pads : Here, it's especially important that the settings are appropriate for the intended use and the respective load. For downhill riding, for example, the brake discs are larger than those for mountain biking.
- Handlebars : Handlebars also vary considerably in terms of materials, shapes, and width. Mountain bikes, for example, have a slightly shorter stem to make the bike more maneuverable. Therefore, it's especially important to find the right handlebar width for your intended use.
- Tires : Depending on the surface, there are a few things to consider when choosing tires to ensure optimal grip when mountain biking.
Mountain bike equipment: clothing and much more
There's also special mountain bike clothing tailored to the needs of mountain bikers. This ensures breathability and freedom of movement, allowing you to achieve your best performance. Compared to road bike clothing, MTB gear tends to be more loosely cut. When choosing, make sure the clothing is made of robust materials so you can enjoy it for as long as possible. Must-haves for MTB clothing include:
- MTB shirts
- MTB jacket
- Mountain bike pants or baggy shorts
- MTB socks
MTB equipment: What do I need for mountain biking?
Attention MTB riders: Want to learn more about MTBs, gear, and tours? You'll find plenty of additional information in our blog.
👉 Looking for an MTB helmet? This helmet matches your sports glasses.
👉 What do you need to pack for a mountain bike tour? Discover our MTB packing list.
👉 Buying MTB glasses: What should I consider? Learn more in this blog post.
👉 Need a gift for a mountain biker? Here's a list of gift ideas.
Credits: Florian Dorn