Top 5 essential items/kit you can't be without?

[True romance]

So just starting my emtb adventure and there is lots to take in and even more after you've got your bike. So what are your top 5 essential items or kit be it tools, safety gear, accessories, stands, etc that you can't be without?

Thanks,
TR.

 

[steve_sordy]

I'm assuming we are not riding in the nude.

1. PPE: Helmet, padded shorts, gloves, specs, boots
2. Backpack
3. Flat protection: Spare tube, pump, tyre levers, patches.
4. Tools: Minitool, multipliers, zip ties
5. Nutrition: Bladder with 2-3 litres, snacks.

If you meant at home.

1. Workstand
2. Toolbox
3. Tools, lots and lots of tools. (I could make a top 5 just for tools)
4. Airshot tubeless tyre inflater.
5. Space for all my bike stuff (clothes, bikes, tools, spares..........)

Top 5 tools not on a ride

1. Shock pump
2. Track pump
3. Allen key set
4. Torcx key set
5. Pliers

 

[KennyB]

In addition/instead

To wear/carry

1. Long fingered gloves (ripped a knuckle once, the novelty of seeing the joint wore off)
2. First aid kit
3. Phone with What3words
4. Windproof (packs into an apple sized pouch and hangs on my belt)
5. Foil blanket/jacket

Ride

1. Stan's DART (if tubeless)
2. CO2 inflator
3. Speed link

Tools etc

1. Torque wrench, torque screwdriver and bits
2. Top tube adaptor (saves hanging the bike by the seatpost)
3. User/workshop manuals for everything, (downloaded)
4. Everything specific to the bike (e.g. cassette tool, master link pliers)
5. T shaped tool made from plumbing pipe (after removing fork for service, replace fork with this to save bars etc dangling around)

Lubes etc

1. Dualco grease gun
2. Suspension spray
3. Brake cleaner (now cheaper than isopropyl alcohol)
4. Dry and wet chain lube
5. Carbon assembly paste (mainly for seat posts)

Could go on and on, and haven't even mentioned wheel truing/building and bearing tools.

 

[KennyB]

Oh and decent cable cutters, Park is my current favourite.

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

If you're just talking about heading out for a ride and besides the obvious (helmet etc):

1. Multitool
2. Hand pump
3. Phone
4. Water
5. Spare tube

 

[Gary]

Just a bike.
and the skill to ride it.

Nothing else is essential to ride one, even clothes... but shoes are a bit more comfortable than bare feet.

Try it, It's quite refreshing taking no faff kit with you.

 

[wepn]

It's quite refreshing taking no faff kit with you.

Flat tire and butt naked - who you gonna call?

 

[aarfeldt]

In the last 32 years of MTB'ing, all I have ever needed was: water and multitool.
The last 2 years has been on eMTB, and all I have ever needed: multitool.

I carry more stuff with me....but thats what I have ever needed.
Clothes, helmet, shoes etc....not on the list....thats just mandatory

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

Just a bike.
and the skill to ride it.

Nothing else is essential to ride one, even clothes... but shoes are a bit more comfortable than bare feet.

Try it, It's quite refreshing taking no faff kit with you.

@Gary you may want to add a good Lawyer to your list

 

[Gary]

Flat tire and butt naked - who you gonna call?

No one Einstein as I wouldn't have a phone either.
Luckily I don't need help to push or ride a bike with a puncture clothed or otherwise.

 

[Gary]

@Gary you may want to add a good Lawyer to your list

Why?
it's not actually against the law to ride a bike naked

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

Why?
it's not actually against the law to ride a bike naked

Really?! I thought the English introduced civility to the barbaric North

 

[steve_sordy]

When I was a kid, I didn't take anything, nothing at all, no spares no pump, no food, no water, nothing. My mates and I would go out all day, drink from streams, or ask for water at houses we passed. I would not recommend either of those drink solutions today!
I've probably got my rose tinted glasses on, but I don't recall ever having a problem.

 

[Nickolp1974]

Lube, helmet, pump, tool/s, wipes.....

 

[wildsau2]

2 Euro for an Espresso or (for longer rides) 4 Euro
my passport
(no pump no tools etc)

 

[Swissrider]

Unless I’ve missed it - duck tape -it can fix all sorts of problems. You can always wrap a metre or so around a tube. If in an unfamiliar area with dodgy phone signal, a map isn’t a bad idea.

 

[PenSki]

When off the common trails, a PLB.

 

[AlexF]

Unless I’ve missed it - duck tape -it can fix all sorts of problems. You can always wrap a metre or so around a tube. If in an unfamiliar area with dodgy phone signal, a map isn’t a bad idea.

IMO, when it come to things you need when you're going out to ride or do other exercise away from the bustle these are some tthings that should make the top 5 things to bring along:
Duct tape...^above comment covers this but duct tape most recently saved my day (again) in February so am going to back it up
Percy Pigs or Wine Gums,
Biltong,
Cam straps; keep them in your car... they're the automotive equivalent of duct tape...aside from duct tape...the further you are from duct tape, the more in danger you are!
Someone who doesn't seem annoying after spending a whole day with them

 

[#lazy]

In addition/instead

To wear/carry

1. Long fingered gloves (ripped a knuckle once, the novelty of seeing the joint wore off)
2. First aid kit
3. Phone with What3words
4. Windproof (packs into an apple sized pouch and hangs on my belt)
5. Foil blanket/jacket

Rider said 5 not 35 ?

1. Stan's DART (if tubeless)
2. CO2 inflator
3. Speed link

Tools etc

1. Torque wrench, torque screwdriver and bits
2. Top tube adaptor (saves hanging the bike by the seatpost)
3. User/workshop manuals for everything, (downloaded)
4. Everything specific to the bike (e.g. cassette tool, master link pliers)
5. T shaped tool made from plumbing pipe (after removing fork for service, replace fork with this to save bars etc dangling around)

Lubes etc

1. Dualco grease gun
2. Suspension spray
3. Brake cleaner (now cheaper than isopropyl alcohol)
4. Dry and wet chain lube
5. Carbon assembly paste (mainly for seat posts)

Could go on and on, and haven't even mentioned wheel truing/building and bearing tools.

He said 5 not 35

 

[Beekeeper]

On ride..

1.Helmet
2. Mini pump
3. Puncture repair kit
4. Multitool
5. Co2 gas injector

At home

1. Long lever Allen keys
2. Chain lube
3. Grease
4. Digital programmable rechargeable bike pump
5. Presta to Schrader valve adapter

 

[JoeBlow]

Apart from the obvious like a helmet etc., a dropper post and tubeless tyres.

Al

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Little Ride:
Bike Clothing, PPE, Shoes, Water Bottle, Phone with Trailforks, Keys

Big Ride:
Everything above plus Camelbak, Multi-tool, Spare Tube, Tire Levers, CO2 Inflator, Zip Ties, Quicklink, Windbreaker, Lunch

Boot of Car:
Everything above plus Battery Charger, Water, Chain Checker, Floor pump, Lubricants, Shop cloths, Hydration powder, Bubble Gum, Lights, Bike Wash Stuff, Tire Sealant, Spare Tire

Van/Camper:
Everything above plus Portable Power Station, Portable Shower/Hose

 

[thebarber]

Backpack full o lager

 

[Fingerpuk]

I ride with my bike, phone, and a drink. Also have £50 cash somewhere in my bag. Don’t need anything else.

 

[MrSimmo]

Apple Watch so people can ring me (say family emergency), water, helmet and protection (pads etc), gps or compass/map ?