Top 10 Essential Mountain Bike Accessories for Cyclists

When it comes to off-road cycling, there’s no thrill like it. The Rouleur team has helped many enthusiasts choose the right bike for their adventure, but accessories play an important role too. 

Whether you’re new to the terrains or a seasoned professional, your cycling experience can be very different depending on the accessories you choose. So here are our recommendations for mountain bike accessories for your next ride. 

Helmet: The Must-Have Safety Gear

A helmet is your main protection against crashes, especially in the off-road terrains. Always invest in a high-quality, well-fitted helmet, as it can better absorb impact and reduce your risk of concussion and injuries. 

Look for helmets with an adjustable fit system and good ventilation. This will make your ride more comfortable and allow you to wear your helmet for longer hours. You should also consider a helmet with MIPS technology, an advanced feature that allows the helmet to rotate upon impact. 

We recommend helmets like the Giro Disciple MIPS Helmet for the ultimate protection using MIPS technology. Alternatively, the Bell Crest Helmet is also excellent for ventilation and fitting.  

Gloves: Protection and Grip

Gloves are another crucial mountain bike accessory, giving you better grip and control over your bike. They also protect your hands during a fall, especially if you’re riding on rough terrain.

Mountain bike gloves are typically available in full-fingered gloves or half-fingered gloves. The FIVE XR-Trail Gel MTB Gloves is an example of a full-fingered one that’s best for all-around mountain biking, with full coverage and added padding on palms. 

Meanwhile, a great half-fingered glove we’d recommend is the FIVE RC Trail Gel Shorty Gloves, with lighter padding and nonslip features. Half-fingered gloves are great for riders who want more breathability while riding. 

Hydration Pack: Stay Hydrated on the Trail

We always emphasise the importance of staying hydrated when riding, but a water bottle isn’t the right accessory to carry. Why not consider a hydration pack instead? Not only can they hold more amounts of water than a water bottle, but they are also hands-free. 

More importantly, hydration packs are made to sit on your back, which evenly distributes weight. This can reduce the strain on your arms and keep your bike perfectly balanced off-road. A pack like the Apidura Hydration Vest can accommodate any long, mixed-terrain rides. Its hands-free feature also helps you stay focused on the trail while staying hydrated. 

Multitool: Your Trailside Repair Kit

Mountain biking takes you off the beaten track, and you should have an accessory that helps you stay prepared. Accidents like a broken chain are more common than you think, so why not equip yourself with a temporary fix? 

We recommend carrying multitools with Allen wrenches, tubeless plugs, and chain breakers as a multitool accessory for your mountain bike. And to store it all, you should consider getting a saddle bag like the ULAC Radtail Max, with a 1.3L storage capacity.

Puncture Repair Kit: Don’t Let Flats Ruin Your Ride

A flat tyre can be frustrating, but it’s also common! Even on a seemingly smooth surface, punctures can happen when you least expect them. Hence why we recommend securing your ride with a puncture repair kit. 

This underrated mountain bike accessory should include patches, tyre levers, a mini pump, and a spare tube to get your bike temporarily repaired. There are also sealants that cling to the inside of the tyre when applied to seal any holes. 

Mountain Bike Shoes: Grip and Comfort

Your choice of shoes can also be crucial to your performance and safety. Mountain bike shoes are designed with better grip, power transfer, and comfort so that you can get better control of your bike. It is particularly beneficial if you’re going at high speeds.

Bike shoes can come with the option of clipless or flat-pedal shoes. For example, the Bont Vaypor shoe is a mountain bike shoe that connects to your bike’s pedals via cleats on the soles, locking your foot in place and preventing it from slipping. 

Protective Eyewear: Vision and Safety

Your eyes need the same protection as the rest of your body. From debris flying to UV rays and glare, there are many dangers that can affect your eyes while on your bike. Protective eyewear shields your eyes and enhances your vision so that you can navigate better.

Eyewear like the Shimano Eyewear S-PHYRE-X has polyamide (PA) glass that is impact-resistant, with full UV400 protection, keeping your eyes protected from glare. Meanwhile, brands like Rudy Project also offer quick-change cycling glasses for most weather and light conditions. 

Bike Lights: Stay Visible

Bike lights are another essential mountain bike accessory, not just for night rides but also for staying visible during the day. Whether you’re out on rough terrain or a smooth one on a clear day, bike lights help you stay more visible to other users and improve your own visibility.  

Consider a bike light with high lumens and a strong battery life. They should also be easy to mount on your bike on the handlebar or bike frame. 

Bike Pump or CO2 Inflator: Quick Tyre Fix

A reliable bike pump or CO2 inflator can quickly inflate your bike tyre and get you back on track. These solutions are also compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry.

Mini pumps are reliable tools that manually pump air into the tyre, while CO2 inflators use pressurised cartridges to quickly inflate the tyre, sometimes within 30 seconds. There’s no right or wrong in choosing between both options, and any form of protection is better than none. 

First Aid Kit: Be Prepared for Emergencies

Mountain biking is exhilarating, but it can also be risky. While on the road, be sure to prepare a mini first aid kit with some must-have items. This will help you treat minor injuries on the spot and give you peace of mind, knowing you’re covered in an emergency.

Your first aid kit should have adhesive bandages, gauze pads, antiseptic ointments, and medical tape. First aid kits are definitely an item that’s better to have as a backup and hopefully not need them! 

Key Takeaway

Mountain biking is a great spot, and there's no feeling like being out in the bush. By investing in good-quality accessories, you can significantly improve your experience off the roads and keep yourself safe against risks. 

Rouleur Cycles is New Zealand’s premium bike shop, supplying riders with the best mountain bike accessories. Shop our range of accessories at Rouleurcycles.co.nz.