Heading out for an adventure with your mountain bike is probably one of the perks of owning one. As fearless as it sounds, you may still want to do a safety check for your experience to be good. You must be responsible when it comes to packing before you start your journey.
Mountain bike adventures often take you to places where it is just you and your bike and not a single soul, which is why being self-reliant is essential in this case. Additionally, mountain bikes can be a tremendous resource to preppers in a situation where vehicle traffic is no longer possible.
Prioritizing your safety, we have prepared a list of contents for survival kits that everyone should carry in a mountain bike ride.
1. Spare Tubes
They may be heavy to travel with, whether you are planning to use a conventional bike or an electric bike for adults, but it really does pay off in times of a tire emergency. This is also applicable for tubeless tires. You should be prepared for the worst possible situation regarding such adventures.
For example, what if your tires are beyond repair, and there’s no sign of getting possible help? Carrying the right-sized inner tubes will rescue you for sure. Make sure you check the wheel size and tire width before getting a spare one.
2. Tire Lever
This may sound extra, but do not underestimate the power of a lever in times of need, that too in an isolated place. For long miles, it is ideal to carry one with you. Double flats are a common scene for mountain bike rides. If you are a beginner at this, you should take this seriously.
Tire levers are absolutely necessary when they are stuck on rims. A tire lever can help you immensely to wrangle it.
3. Tubeless Repair Kit
Tire punctures are common, and it is likely to happen to you on mountain adventures due to the rocky trails. It could be glass, sharp rock, snakebite, or even thorns that cause your tires to puncture. For tubeless bikes, carrying a repair kit can really help to save you from the mess.
When you are on a mountain ride, you should never head out with the tubeless repair kit. It’s as simple as that. You’ll regret it for as long as you can remember. It can be very simply used by inserting a special plug tool to seal the hole for inflating your tires again. For more information, you can look up a tire plug kit, and find out how it works.
For larger tire damages, plugs may not be helpful. You’ll need to opt for alternatives such as installing a tire boot and tube. In some cases, stitching the slices on the tires also does the job.
4. Patch Kit
These life-saving patch kits are small in size, so carrying them shouldn’t be a big concern. Their function is to enable you to reuse punctured tubes. They are also ideal for patching inside of a tire when needed. You can choose a traditional one that includes a vulcanizing component or a pre-glued stick-on patch. Both are equally reliable.
5. Portable Tire Pump
Again for punctures, a portable tire pump will save the day. Choose a high-volume option as they are more suitable for mountain bike rides. High-pressure pumps are also an option, but according to experts, high-volume pumps are better.
CO2 inflator is also an excellent choice, but they cannot be reused multiple times. So, if you experience punctures more than once, they will not serve the purpose for your next mountain bike ride.
6. Chain Lubricant
Pack yourself a mini-chain lube for your trip. You’ll need to grease your bike chains to avoid squeaking noises if you cross rivers or downpours. It’s a convenient product that will ensure your mountain bike is functioning efficiently and silently.
7. Phone and GPS
This is a must for safety purposes. You can use your phone for navigation, but more importantly, if you are lost and in an emergency situation, your phone will be your friend in need.
You can optimize your phone functionality by pre-download a few handy apps before your adventure begins, such as sharing your location with your friends and family. Opt for offline apps, as you can lose network and frequency and end up in the middle of nowhere.
Make sure your phone is fully charged and carry a portable charger for emergency purposes. Otherwise, it won’t be of much help if your phone runs low on battery, and goes off when you need it the most.
Another great option is to install a GPS bike computer for navigation purposes. It can help you to save your phone battery too.
8. Portable First Aid Kit
Lastly, a first aid kit for obvious reasons. When you are out in isolated areas with your mountain bike, carrying a survival first aid kit is essential. The good thing is there are first aid kits specific to mountain bikers available for you to purchase online and offline. They are small and extremely useful.
If you fall and injure yourself, a first aid kit will cater to your needs.
Conclusion
For first-time mountain bike riders, this list will keep you away from stressing about potential emergencies. Instead of stressing, you should plan accordingly, so you can spend your time enjoying yourself to the fullest. If you feel there are contents, such as a hydration pack or mini blankets, that need to be added, feel free to do so. It all depends on your personal requirements.
source : Cornelia Adams