Have you made plans for your big mountain biking trip yet? Here at ROKFORM, we're already looking forward to the summer riding season and planning our next big trail ride. If you haven't done some longer rides in the past, it's important to know exactly what you need to make your next ride a success. A good trip is built on good supplies- it's a horrible thing when your trip gets ruined by not having the pieces of gear that you need, when you need them. To help you plan out all your next mountain bike ride, we've put together a list of all the mountain bike essentials that will keep you rolling happily, no matter what the trail throws at you.
Headed out to the great outdoors? Make sure you have a phone mount that can handle the rough terrain and stand up to tough crashes. Our Sport Series Bike Phone Mount is designed to be compatible with all of our phone cases, and uses our patented RokLock Twist-Lock system to keep your phone secured at all times.
The Sport Series Mount is a great option for those who are looking to have their phone ready at a moment's notice to stay on their route, control their playlist, and snap a quick photo. Curious about how it works? Check out the video below to get answers to your biggest questions!
Mountain Bike Essentials
1. Proper Food and Hydration
Whenever you're headed into the great outdoors, there are some basics that you absolutely need to have covered. As with any outdoor adventure, making sure you're fed and hydrated is paramount. When it comes to food, you need something that's going to keep well at room temperature, and doesn't require a lot of prep time. These sorts of foods are a great way to keep the fun rolling while ensuring that you're still fueling yourself properly. Next time you ride, try bringing along some of these foods:
Trail mix (I like to add chocolate chips!)
Hardy fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges
Energy bars and gels like CLIF bars, Lara Bars, and breakfast bars
Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches
Chocolate
Coconut
You can survive for days without food, but you'll quickly find your good time going sour if you don't have an effective hydration system. If you're just going on short rides, you can get away with a couple water bottles in your water bottle mounts, but if you're taking the long way, you should consider a hydration pack like a CamelBak. This is a pouch that you carry on your back with a tube that you can drink from without using your hands. This setup is a great choice for riders who need a large capacity of water, but don't want to take a break just to take a sip. Remember, it's always a good idea to carry more than you think you need!
2. Your Phone
It's no secret that phones have become mountain bike essentials for pretty much every trip you take. If you're planning an epic mountain bike adventure, you'll need it to fulfill a wide variety of needs. Mountain bike trails can be difficult to follow, and often intersect with local hiking trails that lead in different directions.
Unless you have your phone actively guiding you, you can find yourself miles off-trail without realizing it. If you're keeping in touch with loved ones at home, you will need your phone to let them know you're ok. And of course, what's a grand nature adventure without some pictures to make everyone jealous? Having your phone ready to go when you need it will massively improve your next trail ride.
Are you sure your phone is ready to ride? Most phone cases aren't built with the level of protection that you need when you're riding a rough trail at high speeds. Don't pack it away, you need it! Instead, get the proven protection of ROKFORM Rugged iPhone cases. With the highest-quality protection and easy compatibility with our bike phone mounts, you can secure your phone to your bike with full confidence that it will be unscathed in the event of a crash. Your phone is an important piece of equipment on your summer riding excursion- make sure it is well protected!
3. Protective Gear
No matter how much confidence you have in your mountain biking skills, at some point, you're going to take a tumble. That's why it's so important for you to be protected at all times when you're out on the trail. Mountain biking, carrying a higher risk than other cycling disciplines, naturally has more protective gear involved. I like to divide these into two distinct categories:
Safety Gear
This is going to encompass all of the gear that keeps your body injury-free when you take a fall. The most important safety item is a good helmet! Mountain bike helmets come in two different configurations- a standard helmet, which is built with a longer visor and more neck protection than regular cycling helmets, and a full-face helmet, which provides enclosed protection for more intense falls.
If you engage in a more intense riding style, like downhill riders, you'll want to go for the full-face helmet. Regardless of your helmet style, look out for a "MIPS helmet" when buying. MIPS (or multi-directional impact protection system) is a new development in bike helmets that provides advanced head protection from crashes by allowing the helmet to shift on your head to absorb more force.
It's also important to secure the rest of your body! Knee pads, elbow pads, and mountain bike gloves will all help you protect yourself from falls and scrapes and round out your personal safety gear. Don't forget about eye protection! A good set of sunglasses, or a visor with clear lenses will keep your eyes safe from low hanging tree branches.
Lastly, make sure you have a first aid kit included in your gear. When you get cut up, it's important to have a way to quickly disinfect and cover your wounds. Even if it doesn't account for major injuries, it can certainly make minor injuries a lot less of a hassle.
Comfort Gear
This is the type of supplies that won't make or break your experience, but will certainly help you have a better time. When you're outside all day in the elements, it's important to keep yourself shielded from annoyances like bugs and sunburns. Keep a good bug spray on you at all times, as well as a high-SPF sunscreen.
If you find yourself getting chafed on long rides, bring along some moisturizer and some talcum powder. It can be helpful to carry a towel with you as well if you're prone to sweating on hot rides to wipe your face and keep the sweat out of your eyes. The longer your trip is, the more important it is to consider these creature comforts!
4. A Good Bicycle Phone Mount
Mountain biking is the most intense form of cycling out there, and the demands of it are enough to break most phone mount setups. Rough trail creates a lot of vibration in your bike's frame, and quickly turning tests how secure the flimsy rubber band on most mounts truly is. If you're putting your phone in your pocket, it could fly out at the next hard turn, and may be uncomfortable while you're riding. If your phone is in your bag, you'll have to stop every time you need to check the route or want to take a picture.
For a seamless experience that allows you quick access without losing your immersion, you need a tough mount that you can trust. Our V4 Pro Series Bike Phone Mount is created with airplane grade aluminum and a Dual Retention locking system to ensure that your phone stays put, no matter what. The mount screws directly into the handlebar stem of your bike, so you never have to worry about it falling off. Find your route, access your playlist, and quickly grab the picture-perfect moment, even on the toughest of trail rides.
Looking for something with a lower profile? Try our Sport Series Bike Phone Mount! With a minimal design that secures itself onto a wide variety of handlebar sizes, the Sport Series Mount will allow you to easily transfer your phone onto different bikes to keep the good times rolling. Paired with our Rugged Phone Cases, your phone will be completely secure while you’re bombing your biggest downhill yet!
5. Repair Gear
The whole point of mountain biking is to get outside and away from civilization, but that also means that you're going away from anyone who can help you if you have a problem on the trail. This makes it essential that you know how to repair your bike if something breaks, and have all the tools to do so. The following is a non-exhaustive list of repair gear that will keep you rolling if you pop a flat or break a chain. In a worst case scenario, having this gear is the main difference between riding to the trailhead triumphantly or walking your bike up and downhill for miles.
Repair Gear Checklist:
Spare inner tube for your tire
Patch kit, to plug a hole in any flats (unless you are running tubeless tires)
Tire levers to help you get your tire off your wheel
Floor pump (or mini pump / hand pump) to refill your patched tube
Multi tool for any loose screws
Spare chain link
Chain breaker tool
Spare brake and derailleur cables
It should go without saying that if you don't have the know-how to do repairs on your bike, you should rein in your enthusiasm for an isolated and arduous trail ride and stick to trails that are closer to society. Things like fixing flat tires and replacing brake pads are easily learnable through a quick YouTube search, though! If you're looking for an all-in-one repair kit, you should talk to your local bike shop.
Are You Ready to Ride?
Now that you've read up on all the items you're going to need for your next mountain bike adventure, it's time to get your pack together! Pack generously- until you're completely out of space, you can't be too cautious when it comes to supplying a day (or week) of fun and exploration. Decided that your phone mount just won't cut it? You can count on a ROKFORM phone mount and case to keep your phone accessible and safe, even in the worst case scenarios!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to carry your mountain biking supplies?
There are a variety of ways to haul all your gear with you on a trail ride, but generally speaking, you should avoid carrying a backpack. While a small hip pack won't mess with your comfort, having a day's worth of supplies directly on you will shift the balance of the bike and wear out your shoulders and back quickly. If your bike has a rear rack, you can get a variety of bags and containers for that. There are also gear bags that strap directly onto your bicycle frame to help you carry a full touring setup.
What should I look for in Mountain Bike Clothing?
If you're going on long trail rides, your clothing should support the time and effort you're going to be putting in. Invest in a high-quality pair of sunglasses that will keep you well-covered and able to see. Your pads should be very sturdy, and comfortable for a long period of time. If you have issues with chafing or overheating, a pair of lycra underwear or tights will help you stay cool and comfortable.
Are there organized mountain biking trips that will do all the preparation for me?
Absolutely! There are a variety of travel companies that deal in bike camping trips, including mountain biking trips. With an organized group, you can expect much more support, and chart a course to destinations that you didn't even know about. This is a wonderful way to see a new part of the world and engage with the local culture and community. If you're an active person who wants a refreshing new look at the world, try seeing it from a bike!
Make Your Next Trip a Success with ROKFORM's Mountain Bike Essentials!
When you’re all ready to embark on your summer mountain vacation, make sure that your phone is ready to handle all the twists and turns of the trail. Designed from the ground up to keep your phone secure no matter what, ROKFORM’s phone cases and mounts have earned the title of the most durable out there. Don’t believe us? You can read over 15,000 5-star reviews on our website! Your trip is too important to be derailed by something as simple as a broken phone- buy the protection you need for your toughest rides yet!
Have questions about our products or compatibility with your specific mountain bike? We are available for online chat or in-person at our Irvine, California showroom. Call us toll-free at 855-765-3676, or email us at info@rokform.com.
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