MTB accessories - what you really need | MTB accessories - You really need them

MTB accessories - what you really need

You have just bought a bike and are wondering which MTB accessories you need? Or are you already a mountain biker and want to optimise your MTB accessories? No matter where you are as a mountain biker: The selection of MTB accessories is huge. Even experienced bikers can quickly lose the overview. Here you can find out which MTB accessories are really important.

spized | Clothing and equipment

July 11, 2023 |

Whats’ on this page

1. Which MTB discipline is yours?

2. Mountain bike helmets

3. Mountain bike clothing

4. Mountain bike shorts or bib tight?

5. MTB shoes and pedal systems

5.1 Click pedals vs. flat pedals

5.2 The perfect MTB shoe

6. MTB Gloves

7. MTB backpack and water bottle

8. MTB goggles

9. MTB tools and care products

10. Summary: Which MTB accessories you absolutely need

Which MTB discipline is yours?

In order to choose the right MTB accessories, you should first understand how you want to use your mountain bike. Mountain biking is a complex sport with an incredible number of disciplines. Downhill, cross country or freeride are only three of them. Here you will find an overview of the different MTB disciplines that will help you find the right accessories for you.

Mountain bike helmets

The most sensible mountain bike accessory is a sensible helmet that is designed to protect the head in the event of a fall. Mountain bike helmets usually have a special design that protects the skull and temple area better than a standard bicycle helmet. We recommend that you look out for the following when buying a helmet:

Fit: You will have the helmet on your head for many hours. So try on many helmets and buy one that fits you really well.
Area of use: The risks of falling differ depending on the area of use. Specific helmets protect you best.
Comfort: the helmet should ideally be light and well ventilated
Price: Price is an indicator of quality, but the most expensive helmet does not have to be the most comfortable one
Tip: Nets in the openings prevent flies or wasps from landing on your head.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of the different helmet types:

Helmets

Advantages

Disadvantages

Field of application

Full Face Helmets

Maximum protection of the head incl. neck and face

Rather heavy and little ventilated

Downhill, Freeride, Enduro, Four Cross, BMX

Dirt helmets

Stylish, especially good protection of the back of the head, more padded inside

Rather poorly ventilated

Trial, Slopestyle

MTB helmets without visor

Very light and very well ventilated

Less protection than a full face helmet

Cross Country, Marathon, Race

MTB helmets with visor

Like the variant without visor, but increased protection of the face from branches and on impact

Less protection than a full face helmet

Cross Country, Marathon, All Mountain, Enduro

The MTB helmet with visor is used in most disciplines and is the most commonly used. MTB helmets without visors are mainly used when less trails are ridden or the helmet is also used on the road bike.

We recommend a full-face helmet if you are serious about downhill, freeride, enduro, four-cross or BMX riding and want maximum protection for your head and chin at high speeds and with a high risk of falling. As soon as you plan to ride long tours with some altitude metres, the MTB helmet with visor is the better choice because of its lightness and good ventilation. Alternatively, you can look for full-face helmets with removable chin straps. No matter which helmet you ultimately choose, there is no way around a good helmet when it comes to mountain bike accessories.

In terms of price, most MTB helmets are between 100 and 250 euros.

Mountain bike clothing

Unlike bike racers, mountain bikers cultivate a comfortable and cool look. For the novice, it may look like just a loose garment, but in fact there is plenty of high-tech behind the stylish clothing. Good mountain bike clothing is breathable and stretchy, so you can enjoy maximum freedom of movement on your bike. In addition, MTB clothing is especially reinforced in places that are subject to frequent wear and tear and generally has a high level of tear resistance. However, loose clothing is not worn everywhere in the mountain bike universe. Especially in cross country, clothing from cycle racing is worn more often. Regardless of this: Your next mountain bike jersey should definitely fulfil these points:

Breathability! For this we recommend not to buy cotton products
Freedom of movement
no chafing seams
Tensile strength
Material that allows the wearing of a backpack

The following reasons can speak in favour of a tight-fitting cycling jersey:

more pockets for bars, gels, mobile phone or keys
Front zip that can be opened for extra ventilation in high temperatures and long climbs
Aerodynamics. Everyone who has ever finished a MTB race one second behind their training partner knows that: Every second counts!
You also want to use the jersey for road cycling

The following reasons may speak in favour of buying a loose MTB jersey:

more space for protectors
Looser fit, which many consider more comfortable
You always ride with a backpack and don't need bags

Mountain bike shorts or bib tight?

Basically, if you like it loose, you will usually go for the casual MTB shorts. If you prefer a cycling jersey, you will prefer a bib tight (with straps).

If you want to buy a bib tight, you should consider the following:

the trousers must fit and feel good
the central feature of tights is the seat pad.

In very simplified terms, the following should be noted:

Rule of thumb: The longer the tour and the more inexperienced your butt, the denser the padding should be.
Definitely buy a gender-specific tight
A good cushion is flexible and has different densities in different places

If you want to wear loose MTB shorts, you should consider these points:

Trousers must fit and feel good
Should be made of functional material and offer maximum wearing comfort

You want to design your own mountain bike clothing? Click here to go to our configurator where you can create your own mountain bike shirt.

MTB shoes and pedal systems

In mountain biking, the shoes are one of three contact points and thus contribute significantly to control and performance. Whether you are a mountain bike beginner or an ambitious biker, there is a wide range of shoe and pedal options. Similar to helmets, these are used in the different MTB disciplines. So again, it depends on which discipline you are riding.

The basic rule is: first choose the optimal pedals and only then look for the matching shoes.

Click pedals vs. flat pedals

Pedal systems	Advantages	Disadvantages	Range of application
MTB clipless pedals	Optimal power transmission and promotion of a "round step". Safety not to slip off the pedal in difficult passages.	Especially beginners have difficulties clicking in and out.	Cross Country, Marathon
MTB clipless pedals with cage	Cage protects the click mechanism	Less minimalist design	Mountain
Platform pedals/flat pedals with pin	Quick separation from the bike in case of a fall. Comfortable walking. Many tricks can only be done without clipless pedals. Large contact surface	More power consumption for longer tours	Abfahrtslauf, Freeride, Enduro, Four Cross, BMX
Combination pedals	The ideal combination for beginners	You can only click in from one side	Marathon Enduro, All Mountain

Platform pedals are not comparable to the standard pedals of a city bike, but offer significantly more control due to "pins" that press into the sole of the shoe and in combination with MTB shoes with a lot of grip. One advantage of platform pedals is that mountain bikers can put their foot down on the ground in any situation without any problems. The following points should be observed when using platform pedals:

Material

Plastic: Lightweight and inexpensive, but less grip than metal pedals with metal pins. High-quality plastic is a real alternative!
Aluminium: Also lightweight, offer more grip with metal pins, but are usually a little more expensive. These pedals are the standard and somewhat more robust.
Magnesium: The Porsche among pedals

Platform size

The bigger the platform, the more control
The smaller the platform, the less likely you are to bump into terrain.
You have to find the perfect compromise for you

The arrangement and height of the pins

Long threaded pins provide an aggressive feel in the sole, but are also responsible for higher shoe wear.
Thin pins adhere better to the sole, but are more susceptible to damage when they come into contact with rocks.
Easily exchangeable pins are an advantage

For anyone with marathon/cross-country ambitions or who wants to ride longer tours, there is no way around clipless pedals. As a beginner, it can make sense to start with flats. This way you can calmly gain more and more control over your bike without having to worry about unclicking. However, with a little practice in a car park, you should quickly see progress. In addition, you can adjust the degree of hardness on the pedal, which determines how easily the shoe can be released from the pedal, or you can opt for a combination pedal to complete your mountain bike accessories. These offer you a mixture of both and are thus equipped for the widest possible range of use.

The perfect MTB shoe

Shoes perform an important task when cycling: they protect the entire foot from injury. When mountain biking, you ride on uneven surfaces and there is rough contact with the surroundings. The midsole area is crucial for power transmission to the pedals. In order to generate as little power loss as possible when pedalling, the sole should be stable and robust. MTB shoes should guarantee sufficient grip even in wet weather and poor ground conditions. A good tread is therefore essential. When buying MTB shoes, make sure that the heel does not slip out and that there is enough room for the toes. When it comes to fasteners, you have the choice between a Velcro fastener and a twist fastener. The twist-lock versions are usually a bit more expensive, but offer much more stability and easier handling.

When buying MTB shoes, you should pay attention to the following:

waterproof
Robustness
reinforced sole
reflective elements
Twist lock
Dressing aid
Weight
Sufficient grip
Fit

MTB Gloves

MTB gloves are also an important safety factor when biking. In the event of a fall, they protect your hands from abrasions, cuts and scratches. They should also protect your skin from wind and cold. Good mountain bike gloves have additional padding on the back of the hand to better protect the sensitive back of the hand in the event of a fall. You can neglect the padding on the palm. It is detrimental to handling and the resulting loss of control can lead to falls. The palm of your gloves should have a coating that provides optimum grip on the handlebars. When biking, adapt your gloves to the weather conditions: Long-finger gloves for winter, normal MTB gloves for summer.

MTB backpack and water bottle

Even on casual mountain bike rides, don't forget one crucial MTB accessory: A backpack to store a water bottle. Unlike road bikes, most mountain bike frames do not have a bottle cage. Therefore, the MTB backpack is inevitable for most bikers. Nice side effect: If you take a backpack for water supply, you can also stow a healthy meal (e.g. bananas or apples) there.

You don't want to stop for a drink break? Then we recommend an MTB hydration bladder. The hydration bladder consists of a plastic bag into which the water is filled and a tube that is responsible for the water supply. The bag can be easily stowed in your backpack so that you can always stay hydrated during the ride. When buying a hydration bladder, look for the following features:

Hose length must be sufficient
Material should be free from harmful substances
Bite or pull valves? You decide on the comfort yourself
The content volume varies and should fit your sporting plans

MTB goggles

Protective goggles also kill two birds with one stone: on the one hand, MTB goggles look stylish and on the other hand, they protect your eyes from dirt and sunlight. If you fall, the goggles also protect you from stones and dust particles. Apart from UV protection, MTB glasses don't have much in common with everyday sunglasses. They are shatterproof and slightly curved so that they fit under the helmet. Meanwhile, many sports glasses are offered with polarised lenses or photochromic lenses. These have a special protective coating and further reduce glare from the sun's rays. This is what you should look for when buying MTB glasses:

Good hold. No matter how good a pair of glasses looks, the most important thing is the grip. No one needs glasses that slip while riding! On the nose, the glasses should ideally rest on a nose pad. Behind the ears, rubber lining can improve the hold and, above all, protect against pain.
Interchangeable lenses, or self-tinting glasses. Depending on the weather, you will need different lenses to maintain optimal vision. Therefore, you should have enough interchangeable lenses and, in the best case, be able to change them without much effort. Self-tinting MTB glasses can prevent you from having to change lenses all the time and are particularly advantageous in unpredictable weather conditions (e.g. rapid changes between sun and shade).

MTB tools and care products

If you don't want to have anything to do with decent bike maintenance and take your bike to the mechanic regularly, all you need is chain grease and some old rags. Most mountain bikers should at least go easy on the wallet now and then and do it themselves. Mountain bike maintenance is certainly part of the passion and gives most riders a lot of pleasure. Below we summarise the most important MTB accessories for successful care and maintenance:

Chain grease: Ensures smooth shifting. Wipe off excess grease with a cloth, otherwise dirt will accumulate.
Grease remover: Removes dirt from the chain. The grease remover also keeps the suspension clean.
Allen key: Most small repairs can be carried out with a set of Allen keys. For saddle and handlebars, Allen spanners help with small adjustment corrections. They can also be used to replace the pedals.
Torque spanner: If you regularly tighten bolts on your mountain bike, you need a torque spanner so that the bolts fit perfectly. Too little force when tightening the bolts can be the cause of sudden defects and associated falls while riding.

Summary: Which MTB accessories you absolutely need

If you've just bought a mountain bike, you can't set off straight away and go on a difficult trail tour. For safety reasons alone, some MTB accessories are important to avoid serious injuries. You absolutely need these MTB accessories for a mountain bike tour:

MTB helmet
Special mountain bike clothing
Shoes and pedals
MTB Gloves
Backpack and water bottle
Safety or sports glasses
Chain grease, old rags and Allen key

Once you have purchased these MTB accessories, you will be perfectly equipped for your next mountain bike ride. There are certainly other MTB accessories that are helpful and enjoyable in many situations. In the sheer confusing jungle of MTB accessories, it is difficult, especially for beginners, to distinguish the really important things from the unimportant ones. Especially in the beginning, you should keep an overview of your MTB accessories. In the course of time, you will find out for yourself which MTB accessories are important for the next mountain bike level.

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