Pimp Your Ride: The 5 Best Mountain Bike Gadgets
Mountain biking has been a hobby for hundreds of thousands of people each year for generations now, and there have been a lot of advancements in how we ride. Gone are the days when a simple chain coming off would be the end of the trip and possibly signal danger as technology has made mountain biking safe and fun. If you’re looking to pimp your mountain bike, here are the five best mountain bike gadgets to take on your next trip to make it even better.
1. Multi-Tool
When you’re mountain biking, there’s always that strong possibility that something could go wrong. From having a chain break to having your seat come loose, things happen out on the trails and you’re going to need the right tool for the job. Thankfully, there are plenty of multi-tools available for mountain bikers that are compact, affordable, and in most cases are even stylish.
Experienced bikers will tell you that a multi-tool has gotten them out of a lot of tough situations, and there are a few multi-tools that stand out above the rest. The Crank Bros M19 is one of the most preferred multi-tools, as well as the Lezyne V Pro-11 and Fabric 16-in-1. You really can’t go wrong with one of the brand-name multi-tools, all of which will most certainly help you at some point.
2. Global Hotspot
Mountain bikers typically stay off the beaten path and head out into territories where there might not be any internet or cell phone service. To prevent yourself from getting lost, you’ll want something that can access the internet from anywhere in the world, and there are plenty of global hotspot options available.
Somewear is the leading company in the global hotspot market, and these nifty little devices (that look like bottles of Mio water enhancers) make sure that you always know where you are. While these hotspots aren’t the cheapest devices that you’ll see, they could end up saving your life by letting you know how to get back to civilization before the sun goes down. You can’t put a price on safety, after all.
3. Headlamp
Even if you’re biking through the most populated area in the world, you’re still going to want a headlamp with you when it’s even the slightest bit dark outside. Not only do you want other people to see you while you’re riding, but you want to make sure what’s immediately ahead of you while on the trails or even the sidewalks.
Like global hotspots, there are a lot on the market, with the headlamp market being one of the most massive in terms of bike accessories. With that in mind, you don’t want to go cheap on one that’s going to run out quickly or not give you the illumination that you desperately need. Some of the highest-rated biking headlamps include the Magicshine Monteer 8000S Galaxy V2.0, the Exposure Six Pack MK12, and the Gemini Titan 4000.
4. Tire Inflator
One of the most annoying things that can happen while out riding is to have your tire go flat. Then, you have to bust out the bulky bike pump and sit there pumping away while trying to keep your bike from falling over. It’s annoying, but thankfully, there is a solution to the problem. These days, many bikers are turning to CO2 inflators that are easily carried and do the job quickly.
Some of the best CO2 inflators can help fix your flat in a matter of seconds, getting you back on the trail so that you aren’t holding up the rest of the group. From pocket pumps to big volume pumps, you can’t really go long if you have one with you. Some of the top inflators include the Merida Telescope MTB, the Birzman Infinite Apogee MTB, and the Topeak Mountain TT Twin Turbo.
5. Hydration
There’s nothing more important than staying hydrated and healthy while riding, especially if you’re getting far away from civilization. Keeping enough water with you at all times is paramount, and thankfully there are plenty of water bottles that are made specifically with mountain bikers in mind.
These bottles are designed to be easy to carry on your bike, in your hand, and keep water cold throughout the duration of your ride. Some of these bottles include the CamelBak Bike Water Bottle, the 50 Strong Bicycle Squeeze Bottle, and the Schwinn Bike Water Bottle, all of which are affordable and effective.