Anyone who owns a mountain bike understands that the more you use it, the more equipment you need. Some of this gear is 100% practical, while others can be upgraded based on personal preference. Everyone tends to buy a few items to look cool.
Heres a look at some amazing practical, affordable accessories focused on improving every ride.
Table of Contents
Mudguards/Fenders
Anyone riding a mountain bike is bound to ride in some rough spots. A good set of mudguards/tire guards will keep riders pretty clean, whether its snowing and freezing or hot and muddy.
The rear fender looks a little odd compared to other bike fenders on the market, but these are made specifically for a mountain bike prone to adverse conditions!
You can also get a front fender from the same manufacturer for your fatty. The front fender looks much more like a classic mountain bike fender. It is, of course, a little wider to fully cover the tire.
Check out my article about the Fat Bike Fenders: the best solutions.
Lights
Even if there is no intention of cycling at night, lights are still essential for any cyclist. This is because a person may find themselves in adverse weather conditions, or a delay may result in a return at dusk.
Whatever the case, everyone should invest in a good set of lights. For an affordable option, TeamObsidian offers a great set that people can use on any bike. The front flashlight is particularly significant, as it is bright enough on the high setting to illuminate the area in front of a rider. The rear light is more for approaching traffic to ensure a rider is completely visible at all times.
If you dont always like to have lights installed, dont worry, these lights have a quick-release system. You can put them on, take them off in seconds, and move them to another bike if necessary. These lights are battery-operated and last a long time while performing at a high level.
Check out my article about the Best Bike Lights For Night Riding; [Top 7 Picks Under $100]
Bike stand for mountain bikes
A standard mountain bike will not come with any stand, and people will probably get laughed at if they install one themselves. A better solution? This mountain bike stand from Topeak can support many bikes up to about 45 pounds.
Even though it folds to be small enough to fit in a pocket, the rack is as durable as it gets.
It can easily hold a bike, thanks to the solid structure of aluminum and polymer.
Every mountain bike owner should have a stand just for convenience. They can save a lot of time and a person from having to lean it against something or throw it on the ground. Many people buy one, keep it in their garage/warehouse, and use it when needed.
Phone Bag
For people who need their phone for one reason or another while riding, it can be not easy to get it out of a pocket throughout a ride. Investing in this little bag by Rock Bros is a much better way to handle a phone. This company simplifies the process by placing the phone front and center while protecting it from the elements, collisions, and more.
The bag has enough room to hold accessories like a small tire pump, small repair kits, keys, a wallet, and more. This can completely replace some peoples backpack if they travel light.
What makes this bag different is how much it focuses on making the smartphone extremely usable at all times. It has a TPU film window that covers the phone so that a person can treat it as an extra screen protector. It fits right up against the phone so that it is still fully usable at all times. Play music, take important calls, and check the GPS without pausing.
There are many bag options, but Rock Bros seems to be the best of the best right now.
Bike Racks
Unfortunately, theres no way around that a good bike rack for a car or truck will be expensive. However, the alternative is not to use one and risk scratching or damaging the vehicle, which will cost much more.
Bike racks usually come in sizes to hold 2 to 4 bikes. Saris offers an excellent option for both, built to last. They have a tilt feature that gives easy access to the back of the car without having to remove the bikes each time. Its also straightforward to load and unload, as long as a person spends a little time working out.
This is something that no one should buy on the cheap. Not only can a poor-quality bike rack damage the car it is attached to, but it could also cause a serious accident on the road involving other people.
Dont forget to buy the large wheel adapter for wheels larger than 3.8″.
Check out my article about the Best Hitch Bike Rack For The Money.
Safety Goggles
Its important to have protective eyewear when on a mountain bike, especially when riding off-road. No one knows when something might pop up and catch someone in the eye. Rock Bros makes a great pair of goggles that automatically adjusts to the amount of light outside.
Its perfect for riders who always want protection but ride in different conditions. During dusk or night, the goggles look just like goggles. They turn into a quality pair of sunglasses when the sun is shining.
They only weigh about 24 grams, so you hardly feel like youre wearing anything. Eyes always need protection from the sun and any debris that might fly out.
Check out my article about the Biking Glasses: Best Quality Options + Buyer’s Guide
Bike Rear bag
Not all mountain bike users need a backpack if you use your mountain bike to commute. It is undoubtedly very useful for people who use it as their primary means of transportation. This trunk bag is easy to put on and take off at any time for big trips requiring carrying a lot of stuff.
There is only limited storage when relying on small bags in the middle or front of a bike. Adding a bag to the back allows for more space, more weight, and a more balanced bike overall. Of course, this bag only works if its made of quality material, and Ibera has made sure that its something that can last for years if not abused.
It looks a little bulky at first, but its probably one of the lightest and most streamlined bags a person can buy at this price point. It also has plenty of reflective trim to keep the rider highly visible during dark hours.
Gloves
Most mountain tire biking is done in decent weather, so these bike gloves are probably the best available for the price, with the best grip and padding on the market.
Anyone who rides a mountain bike without gloves can understand the pain of long bike rides. Not only are your hands tired, but its no fun to form blisters halfway through a ride.
The bonus feature that stands out with these gloves is a finger loop that allows for quick removal of the gloves without turning them inside out. This may not seem like a big deal on paper, but once someone uses the gloves, they will be very grateful to have them.
Even with heavy use, runners can get hundreds of hours out of these gloves before needing to replace them. They are affordable enough that even buying a few pairs a year wont cost a person too much.
Gaiters
For cyclists who enjoy off-road adventures, investing in a pair of quality gaiters might be the way to go. Outdoor Research offers an excellent nylon set that is perfect for
These gaiters will protect most of the leg below the knee while riding. They help keep a cyclist dry, safe, and more. Not everyone will feel as comfortable using them, but they are also great for other outdoor activities. They are borrowed from hikers and climbers but work well for mountain biking.
This company isnt the cheapest, but they offer a lightweight option that is perfect for cyclists. Theyre also highly durable, high-quality material and go with almost everything.
Mountain Bike Bar Mittens
Bar mittens are a great piece of gear if youre going to be mountain biking in cold weather. As you probably know, riding your bike while wearing thick winter gloves can be bulky and not very comfortable.
There is a velcro strap inside to anchor the mitt to your handlebars. And to secure it better to the handlebars, it has zipper/velcro tabs. A zipper closes in the front, so no cold air gets inside (essential when youre riding in winter). Dont worry; the glove is big enough to let air circulate inside to at least keep your hands from sweating too much.
I have no problem shifting gears, braking, or even getting my hands out of the gloves. Its almost like they arent even there. I like to change the position of my hands on the bar, and these bar mittens allow me to do that.
Conclusion
I hope this list helped you find some new mountain bike gear! My favorite mountain bike gear on this list has to be the very first one, the mud shovel! It ticks all the boxes and also fits my mountain bike, making it easy to swap from one bike to another depending on the season.