One of our resident go-to mountain bikers, Jim Bob, gave us a few tips on how to help make your next trek go smoothly. Here’s what he had to say. 

I ride nearly every day and the terrain around Santa Barbara is some of the most unforgiving imaginable. Most of our trails are extremely rocky, steep, and narrow—which is not just hard on you, but also the bike—so, I like to be prepared for anything. I often find myself 40-50 miles from home and miles from any road or bailout point, so, being prepared isn’t just a good thing to do, it’s a necessity. Riding a few miles from your house or deep in the backcountry, there are a few essentials you need to pack. These are the main tools I always have with me.

What Tools to Add to Your Cycling Gear

1. Tubeless Bicycle Tire Repair Kit

Tubeless tires are great, but it’s not “if”, but “when” you puncture your tire. I’ve tried the old bacon strips, but they just can’t compare to the ease and reliability of a Dynaplug Racer Pro. I’ve ridden plugged tires for months with no issues. They’re so reliable, I often don’t carry a tube unless I’m going deep into the backcountry. These have saved me (and my friends) more times than I care to count from having a very long walk home.

2. Leatherman® Skeletool with Ratchet Driver

I can’t think of a more versatile tool that will fix anything on your bike. The Skeletool® is awesome because it’s light, has a knife, needlenose pliers, wire cutters, and with the ratchet attachment you can bring any ¼” bit. I carry all the standard Allen, torx, and screwdrivers that are used on my bikes, so I can easily fix or adjust whatever is needed from pedals, brake levers, brake calipers, and the derailleur, etc. I prefer the Skeletool® to a normal multitool because I break spokes all the time and getting them cut out, wrapped around, or out of a cassette is a nightmare without pliers or cutters. Also, it’s nice to have a knife to cut down the extra end of a Dynaplug. Oh, and did I mention the bottle opener for that post-ride cold beverage?!

3. Sierra Bikes Multi-lever

This is a little more bike-specific, but tire levers are great, especially if you run a thick double down or downhill casing tire. So, if you just can’t plug a tire and need to put a tube in, then having sturdy tire levers will make the job a lot easier and go a lot quicker. But the tool isn’t just a tire lever, it’s also a chain tool with storage for a master link which is another absolutely essential spare part to bring. 

4. MSR TrailShot Water Filter

I often do big all-day rides through the barren Southern Los Padres National Forest where water is scarce. Packing all the water I need for one of these rides or an overnighter just isn’t possible, so I rely on an MSR TrailShot Water Filter. I really like this filter because not only does it meet the U.S. EPA drinking water standards* and NSF protocol P231 for removal of bacteria (99.9999%), protozoa (99.9%), and particulates, but you can easily backflush it to improve flow rate or clear any clogs without the use of any tools. Another nice thing is the pickup is not attached directly to the pump, so you can filter from just about anywhere.

5. OneUp Components EDC Pump

Whether you’re running tubes or tubeless, you probably need to be carrying a pump or Co2 cartridges. The nice thing about the OneUp Pump is that it’s not just a pump, but you can use a Co2 as well. And even if you use your trusty Dynaplug, you may have lost too much air before you get the tire plug in, so you will need to have an air backup. Any of us that have used Co2 know that sometimes things can go wrong, and you may accidentally waste your only cartridge. So, having a pump is a great idea to make sure you get home.

READY TO GO!

I think with these 5 tools you’ll be able to fix just about anything on your bike along with surviving an all-day epic or the rowdiest chunky trail you’ve ever been on. Mountain biking is the best way to get out into nature while having the most fun, but being prepared for anything that comes your way is essential to a safe and fun ride.

Based in California, Jim Bob is an avid mountain biker, overlander, and very talented photographer/videographer with a passion for raising awareness for snakes. Follow him on Instagram to keep track of his latest adventures.