Essential Mountain Bike Accessories for Every Rider
Maintenance Tools, Tech And Navigation, Safety Gear, Hydration, Comfort Upgrades, and More
June 6th, 2025
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When it comes to mountain biking, of course, your most important and fun piece of gear is the bike itself. It is, after all, all about the bike—and the riding! But, as with most outdoor sports, there are also a lot more gear and accessories, from essential to fun, that add to your time on the trails.
If you’re curious about what accessories should be on your list for your mountain biking adventures–like hydration packs, repair kits, saddles, and more–you’ll find what you need here.
This MTB accessories piece includes a checklist, including MTB repair and maintenance must-haves, hydration accessories, tech and navigational tools, safety and visibility gear, comfort upgrades for your saddle and grips, bike luggage, and optional winter and wet weather gear.
Some of these gear items will help to make your time spent on the trails safer for you and those around you. Others will keep your bike looking and riding like a well-oiled machine. All of them can be fun to include, no matter how you roll.
Before heading out on your next mountain bike adventure, check out our Mountain Bike Gear Checklist as well.
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MTB Accessory checklist
| MTB ACCESSORIES | OUR PICK | MORE OPTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Repair/ Maintenance | ||
| Multi-tool | Crankbrothers M20 Multi-Tool | |
| Tire repair | KOM Cycling Tubless Tire Repair Tool | |
| Tire inflation | Blackburn Core CO2'Fer Mini-Pump | |
| Chain maintenance | mountainFLOW Bike Maintenance Kit |
MTB repair and maintenance tools
Multi-tools with chain breakers
Long rides, like the White Rim Trail, pictured here, are times when it's especially important to carry repair and maintenance tools for your bike.
What to look for
A functional multitool is an essential part of any mountain biker’s kit. No matter where or how far you’re riding, you should be prepared for minor mechanicals, whether that’s a flat tire or a snapped chain.
Look for a multitool designed specifically for mountain biking, since those will be the most likely to have all the tools you need for an on-trail repair. You’ll want a tool with a variety of hex wrenches and screwdrivers that are compatible with your bike parts. But, it’s also important to look for more specialized bits, like a chainbreaker. While it may not always feel necessary to carry a chainbreaker, you’ll never regret having carried it for that time when your chain snaps 10 miles deep.
Our Choice: Crank Brothers M20 Multitool
What we liked: Wide variety of tools in a compact package; includes chainbreaker, plug tool, and rotor straightener; good durability
What we didn’t like: On the heavy side
This multitool is small and packable enough to justify on pretty much every ride, and you never know when having a chain breaker on hand could save your ride.
Crank Brothers M20 Multitool
Tubeless repair kits
What to look for
A tire repair kit is another essential piece of gear for any mountain bike. No matter how short the ride, there’s always potential for a flat, and no one wants to have to walk their bike with a flat back to the trailhead when they could be having fun riding it.
The most important aspect of a tire repair kit is to have the right parts for your specific tires. For those who run tubeless tires, a simple kit that includes CO2 cartridges, a chuck to attach to the valve stem to use the CO2, and some tire plugs is often sufficient for shorter rides. And having a kit with good organization and easy storage on your bike or in a pack is also helpful. For longer rides, consider also bringing a spare tube, a mini pump, and some tire levers, even if you have tubeless tires.
Our Choice: KOM Cycling Tubeless Repair Tool
What we liked: Light, small, simple, affordable
What we didn’t like: Plugs can be hard to wiggle out of the case
Sure, there are more complex tire plug kits out there, but you likely don’t need them. This simple and affordable option is lightweight, small, and easy to pack so you have those plugs just in case, without sacrificing too much weight or space in your back or bike bags.
KOM Cycling Tubeless Repair Tool
CO2 inflators vs mini pumps
What to look for
CO2 inflators are often the fastest and most efficient way to repair a minor flat, especially for tubeless tires. These are smaller and lighter to carry, and they typically get the job quicker and more effectively. While with a pump it can be a challenge to get a tubeless tire to re-seat properly on the rim, it’s usually much easier with the quick blast of air from a CO2 cartridge.
However, it’s not a bad idea to carry a spare tube and a small pump, especially for longer or more remote rides, even if you have tubeless tires—and the tube and pump are essential if you don’t have tubeless tires. This gives you a backup in the event that your tubeless tire won’t hold after a flat, or if you run out of CO2 cartridges on the trail.
Our Choice: Blackburn CO2’fer Mini-Pump
What we liked: Compact kit comes with a mini-pump and has space to carry a CO2 cartridge; on-bike storage option
What we didn’t like: Works only with presta valves
This sleek little system allows you to carry the essentials in case you get a flat, all in one package that can be stored on your bike frame. We love that since it means you’ve got these essential items on hand even if you don’t want to ride with a pack that day.
Blackburn CO2’fer Mini-Pump
Some rides get so muddy—like this MTB race in the San Juans the author did—that you'll need a few gallons of bike cleaner and chain lube to get your drive train happy again.
Chain lube and brush kits
What to look for
While some long or dirty rides may necessitate a bottle of chain lube in your pack, it’s not often necessary to carry this on your rides. What is necessary is keeping your drivetrain clean and well-lubed for each ride.
A good set of bike-specific brushes will help to clean dirt and grease off your drivetrain components while quality lube will keep you shifting smoothly on the trail. Consider simple but durable brushes in a few different sizes to get all the nooks and crannies clean, from your jockey wheel to your chain. The lube you use will depend a lot on what conditions you’re riding in—there are ones for dry and dusty conditions, ones for wet and muddy riding, and good all-arounders, too.
Our Choice: mountainFlow Bike Maintenance Kit
What we liked: Eco-friendly plant-based lube and cleaner; two different sized brushes and soft cleaning cloths
What we didn’t like: No chain-specific brush
Bike chain grease and cleaner are often made of not-so-earth-friendly materials. And riding and washing your bike means those solutions will eventually end up in the environment. That’s why we like this mountainFlow kit. The plant-based lube and cleaner are a lot less harsh on Mother Earth while still keeping your bike clean and your drivetrain shifting like a dream.
mountainFlow Bike Maintenance Kit
Hydration accessories
Bottle cages for trail bikes
A good bottle cage for mountain biking should keep your water secure while remaining easy for you to grab while on the bike.
What to look for
A good bottle cage should be lightweight and easy to use. You should be able to easily put your bottle in and out of the cage while riding on the trail, but the cage should also hold your bottle securely in place, even over chunky, bumpy, rocky terrain. For more recommendations, see our guide to Best Bike Water Bottle Holders.
Our Choice: Bontrager Elite Recycled Water Bottle Cage
What we liked: Secure, durable, made of recycled materials
What we didn’t like: Limited adjustment for positioning on bike
Bottle cages may seem like a trivial accessory—just pick any one and it’ll be fine. But having a bottle cage that is ergonomic makes all the difference. Our tester loved the durability of this cage, too, which is an especially important aspect for mountain bikers.
Bontrager Elite Recycled Water Bottle Cage
Insulated bottles
What to look for
An insulated bike bottle can be a handy accessory, especially on hot and sunny rides. With any bike bottle, the ease of use for the valve is essential. This is one reason we love the Purist bottles: They’re easy to open and close while riding, and the material is comfortable and soft on your teeth.
Our Choice: evo Purist Insulated Chromatek Water Bottle
What we liked: Purist bottles have a clean taste; valve is easy to use; water level indicator on side of bottle
What we didn’t like: Only comes in 23-ounce size
Purist bike bottles are all I use. The water tastes good, they’re supple and easy to squeeze, and the top is soft and easy to open with your teeth while you’re on the bike. On hot days, an insulated bottle is great for having ice cold water as you pedal. This bottle has all the features we love about regular Purist bottles with the added bonus of insulation.
evo Purist Insulated Chromatek Water Bottle
Hydration backpacks
What to look for
Unless you’ve got a lot of on-bike storage, a hydration pack is an essential accessory for all but the shortest rides. Look for a pack designed specifically for mountain biking: It will be designed with ergonomics that make it more comfortable in the riding position. Also consider how much water you want to carry, and how much additional storage space you need. See our Best Bike Hydration Packs guide for more recommendations.
Hydration packs are essential for long, hot days on the bike, like this 90-degree ride in full sun in Southern Utah.
Our Choice: CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro
What we liked: 3L reservoir for lots of water storage; great organization and ventilation
What we didn’t like: Can be a bit large and bulky for shorter rides
We thrashed this hydration pack on trails across Colorado and took it to the lifts and slopes at Deer Valley, Utah, and Winter Park’s Trestle Bike Park in Colorado. Even on the hottest summer days, we never felt like we were sweating out and hardly ever noticed the weight of the pack on our back.
CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro
MTB Hip Packs
MTB hip packs are great for carrying snacks and essentials on rides and are a little less cumbersome than a full backpack.
What to look for
Mountain bikers are usually in one of two camps when it comes to packs: backpacks or hip packs. Backpacks can often carry more for longer rides, but hip packs are a great option for shorter days on the bike, or rides when you don’t need to carry as much. The other advantage to hip packs is that they leave your back wide open to catch the breeze, and there are no shoulder straps to inhibit your riding. Look for a pack with a comfortable waist strap and a secure fit above all else. Then, consider good pockets and a durable, weather-resistant material.
Our Choice: EVOC Hip Pack Pro
What we liked: Incredibly comfortable, minimal bounce, durable, excellent storage
What we didn’t like: Expensive
This has been the long standing favorite hip pack for our testers, and it’s the best overall winner in our review of the Best MTB Hip Packs. It’s incredibly comfortable, sits securely on the hips with little to no bounce, even on rough trails. And, the storage and pockets are dialed. There are side pockets for water bottles as well as a 1.5L hydration bladder that comes with the pack. It may be a little pricey, but this pack is dialed.
EVOC Hip Pack Pro
Tech and navigation accessories
GPS computers and mounts
What to look for
A bike computer can be helpful for navigation and viewing stats while you’re riding. Instead of a regular GPS unit, you’ll want one specifically made for biking since that will give you the ideal feature set and mounting options.
Our Choice: Garmin Edge 840
What we liked: Large feature set, versatility
What we didn’t like: Expensive
This bike computer has all of the essential features for mountain biking, including navigation. We like the combo of buttons, a touch screen, and the good battery life.
Garmin Edge 840
Phone mounts (with cautionary guidance)
What to look for
If you don’t have a GPS unit or bike computer, mounting your phone on your handlebars can be helpful when navigation is necessary. However, we’d generally caution against this given that it can be distracting and a crash could ruin your phone unless you’ve got a super burly case.
Our Choice: Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount
What we liked: Very secure, sturdy, slim design
What we didn’t like: Must have a compatible case
This phone mount is sleek, stable, and secure, even on chunky trails. While we’d recommend carrying your phone in your pack or a pocket instead—it’s less distracting while you ride, and your phone is less likely to get damaged—this mount works well for when looking at your phone while you ride is absolutely necessary.
Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount
On-trail comfort add-ons
MTB-specific saddles
What to look for
The most important thing to consider in a saddle for your mountain bike is one that fits you comfortably. Everyone is built differently, and that’s one big reason there are so many saddles to choose from. If you’re having trouble with finding a comfortable saddle, consider finding a shop that can help with a bike fit.
Having the right saddle for your body shape can make all the difference in comfort on the bike.
Our Choice: Specialized Power Pro with Mirror
What we liked: Comfort, loads of tech, 3D printed honeycomb design adds comfort, compatible with on-bike storage options
What we didn’t like: Very expensive
Finding the right saddle is often a personal journey, but this saddle is built with materials that are meant to mimic your body’s natural form. It’s not cheap, but anyone who has dealt with saddle sores would be happy to splurge on a premium saddle to avoid them in the future.
Specialized Power Pro with Mirror
Dropper seatposts
Dropper posts help make downhill riding a lot more fun and comfortable.
What to look for
Most avid mountain bikers will rave about the benefits of a dropper post. If you ride frequently and as long as weight is not your most important factor, you should strongly consider a dropper seatpost if your bike doesn’t already have one.
Dropper posts allow you to adjust the level of your seat with a small lever on your handlebars. This means that when you’re climbing, the seat can be at its highest for efficient pedaling, then on the downhill you can lower it for a more comfortable and aggressive riding position. Look for a dropper seatpost that has smooth and reliable mechanics.
Our Choice: OneUp V3 Dropper
What we liked: Reasonably priced, smooth, good adjustability and length range, straightforward maintenance
What we didn’t like: Return speed is not adjustable
This dropper post has all the ideal components and a smooth feel, all at a pretty reasonable price. There are fancier, more expensive ones out there, but we think this model offers one of the best values. It’s smooth, simple, and reliable.
OneUp V3 Dropper
Grips and bar ends
A Treeline tester racing the Breck Epic with the PNW Components Loam Grips.
What to look for
A good set of grips can make a surprising difference on your mountain bike. Mountain biking involves a lot of vibrations while you’re riding, especially on the downhill. Plush grips help to keep your hands and arms comfortable while you ride and help maintain one of your most important contact points with the bike: your handlebars. Look for grips that have, well, good grip—but also consider ones that have a plush but sturdy feel.
Our Choice: PNW Components Loam Grips
What we liked: Super grippy material, goldilocks cushioning, lots of fun colors
What we didn’t like: Ends are more prone to wear
These grips are just right: not too stiff and not too plush, with plenty of grip. Our tester has used them on dozens of rides, and even used them to race the notoriously challenging Breck Epic mountain bike race in Colorado. Even after those 6 brutal days of riding and many more after that, the grips remain in tip-top shape. And, they look cool on his bike.
PNW Components Loam Grips
Safety and visibility gear
Trail bells
What to look for
Whether you’re on a mountain bike trail or cruising on a recreational path, a bell can be super helpful for making your presence known to others for both safety and courtesy. For mountain biking, a small and compact bell is ideal since you don’t want too much clutter on your handlebars. Look for a small bell made of durable materials that stays very secure on your bars.
Our Choice: Spurcycle Compact Bell
What we liked: This little bell packs a powerful punch of sound; simple and durable; rings for a long time after one click
What we didn’t like: Can be a little loud at times
Now this is a bell. Ring this thing and it has a beautiful sound that’s plenty loud without being ear-piercing. The best thing about it is that the ring lingers, so that people far ahead on the trail will hear you with plenty of space as you approach.
Spurcycle Compact Bell
Helmet lights or handlebar lights
What to look for
If you ride in the dark or on the fringes of daylight, a bike light is an essential piece of gear for both seeing the trail and being seen by others. Look for a bright light with a good battery life and a solid, stable mount. For a deeper dive on bike lights, check out our review of the Best Mountain Bike Lights. If you’re looking for a headlamp you can also use hiking or on other adventures, check out our Best Headlamps guide.
Our Choice: Gloworm XS Lightset and Gloworm X2 Adventure
What we liked: Bright enough for technical trails,
What we didn’t like: Expensive
The 2800-lumen 3-LED Gloworm XS Lightset and its counterpart, the 2000-lumen, 2-LED X2 Adventure, are incredible lights with a whole bunch of amazing features. Mountable on either your handlebar or your helmet, these lights are great for normal mountain biking, but really shine during night-time and 24-hour mountain bike races.
Gloworm XS Lightset and Gloworm X2 Adventure
MTB storage accessories
Snack bags and top tube bags
What to look for
Small frame-mounted snack bags can be a great accessory for longer rides when you want easy access to fuel or other essentials. Look for small and stable bags that have enough room for chews or bars without getting in the way of your riding.
Our Choice: Oveja Negra Snack Pack Large/XL
What we liked: Fits almost all bike frames; highly adjustable yet secure straps; stiff sides make for easy access and add stability; lots of fun color options; handmade in Salida, CO by a small, women-founded brand
What we didn’t like: Plastic D-ring has potential to rub on bike frame
My husband and I both love our Snack Packs for mountain biking and gravel riding! The pack has some structure to it, which makes getting items in and out, even while pedaling, a breeze. It’s just the right size for snacks, gels, and also fits most phones.
Oveja Negra Snack Pack Large/XL
Saddle bags
What to look for
A saddle bag for mountain biking can be useful for small essentials like your tire repair kit and multi tool. When looking for a good saddle bag, ensure that it is small, compact, and secure for riding rough trails. And be sure it’s compatible with your bike and won't interfere with your dropper post, if you have one. Learn more in our Best Saddle Bags and Seat Packs guide.
Our Choice: Topeak Aero Wedge Pack DX
What we liked: Saddle rail clamp attachment is secure and easy to use; affordable
What we didn’t like: Attachment is not as simple or easy to repair as Velcro
The Topeak Aero Wedge Pack DX is our favorite seat post bag for mountain bikes. We like this bag because it features a unique saddle rail attachment system that secures the bag to your bike’s seat without attaching it to your seat post. This feature makes this seat bag work better with a dropper post than most bags we’ve ever used. We tested this bag on long mountain bike rides near Moab, Utah, and on many Colorado Front Range singletrack trails.
Topeak Aero Wedge Pack DX
Optional winter or wet weather accessories
Mudguards or Fenders
What to look for
If you often ride on wet or muddy trails, fenders can help keep both you and your bike clean. Fenders can also be a fun and easy way to add some personality and style to your bike. Look for fenders that are compatible with your bike and select a length that works best for your bike and your style of riding—the muddier and gnarlier the trails, the longer the fender.
Our Choice: Ground Keeper Customs
What we liked: Lots of fun patterns and colors; available in multiple sizes; options for custom designs
What we didn’t like: Not much we don’t like about these fun fenders!
These fenders offer all the functionality you need for wet and muddy riding (just remember not to ride in these conditions if it’ll damage the trails!). And while we do love the function, these fenders also offer a fun way to add some personal flair to your bike. Ground Keeper Customs has a variety of pre-made designs in a variety of colors and patterns, or better yet, you can customize your own.
Ground Keeper Customs
Frame protection
What to look for
Frame protection can help keep your bike in tip top shape and prevent dings or scratches in the paint that cause wear and devalue your bike overall. Riding on trails is inherently rough, but an extra layer of protection can go a long way for your trusty two-wheeled steed. Consider where your bike is likely to see the most wear—like under the down tube or along the chainstay—and find frame protection that will fit there.
Our Choice: RideWrap Covered Protection MTB
What we liked: Covers all the key wear parts on your bike frame; can be installed at home
What we didn’t like: Installation takes some patience and attention to detail
RideWrap is more or less the standard for bike frame protection like this. It’s straightforward to install (though it takes some patience to do it right) and we like that there are options for gloss and matte wrap. I use this on both my mountain and gravel bikes and it gives me peace of mind that I’m less likely to ding or damage the carbon frames.
RideWrap Covered Protection MTB
Tips for choosing the right MTB accessories
Mountain biking is above all supposed to be fun. Having your accessories dialed can help you focus on doing just that.
Riding style
When selecting accessories for your mountain bike adventures, consider what kind of riding you do most. Cross country riders are likely to prioritize lightweight accessories over the durable and beefy ones enduro or downhill riders might need. And some accessories, like power meter pedals, are more helpful for folks who aspire to race cross country, while they’re essentially useless for downhill riders who prefer the bike park.
Frequency of rides
What accessories you need and whether you need or want particularly high end ones will depend a lot on how often you ride. If it’s only a few times a year, you probably don’t need to splurge for the top tier. But if you can’t seem to get off your bike, consider high-end accessories that will last.
Local terrain and weather
Just like your riding style is important to consider, the types of terrain and your local weather and trail conditions are also worth factoring into your decisions when looking for bike accessories.
Do you most often ride on drier and mellower trails? You probably don’t need fenders, but might want a good hydration pack. Downhill rider who prefers to spend time in the bike park on wet and loamy dirt? Go for the fenders. Trail or enduro rider? Trust us: a dropper post will quickly become your best friend on the trail.
Having extra accessories like a camera mounted to your handlebars can obstruct your view of the trail, which is why we recommend helmet mounts for accessories like that.
Picking Extra Accessories
If you like to bike with an action cam, we’d recommend a helmet mount for mountain biking. Mounting to your handlebars can cause the camera to get in the way, and if you must ride with a camera (we’d recommend not and just enjoying the trails!) it’s better to minimize distractions so you can focus on the trail. The helmet mount you’ll need will depend on the specific model of action cam that you have, and may depend on your helmet style, too. Make sure you select a mount that’s compatible with your gear.
Knowing what you don't need
Frame Bags
While you can put a frame bag on many mountain bikes, for most riders this simply isn't necessary, unless you’re bikepacking on that mountain bike. For daily rides and even full days out on the bike, a backpack, hip pack, or small on-bike bags like saddle bags and top tube snack packs are usually sufficient to carry what you need. Plus, with full suspension mountain bikes, the shock limits your frame bag options.
If you’re wanting to get into bikepacking, consider a hardtail or gravel bike since these are usually better, unless you really need the full squish for the trails you’re riding. You can read more about frame bags in our Best Bike Frame Bags review.
Power Meter Pedals
Power meter pedals essentially give you extra stats while you’re riding, like your wattage (power output), cadence, and more. While this info can be cool, pedals like this can be as expensive as some low-end mountain bikes. Unless you’re a racer who is at least semi-competitive, or you’ve just got an unlimited bike budget and love data and stats, these are unnecessary for the majority of recreational mountain bikers. And, while they do give some cool stats, they don’t necessarily make the ride any more fun, and that’s why we’re all out on the trails anyway!
Why accessories matter
As it is with most outdoor sports, there’s a lot more to mountain biking gear than just the bike itself. Some of these accessories aren’t really accessories but actually essentials, like multi tools and repair kits. Some of this gear—like bike lights and trail bells—can increase your safety on the trails. Others, like dropper posts, can greatly improve your riding experience. And who doesn’t want to have even more fun on their bike?
About the author / Why you should trust us
The author riding in one of her favorite places: the alpine near her home in Breckenridge, CO.
Stasia Stockwell has been riding bikes since her legs were barely strong enough to pedal. Her dad taught her to ride trails at a young age, and now her summers are filled with mountain bike rides on the vast network of trails that surrounds her home in Breckenridge, Colorado. She mostly rides for fun, but she tacks a race number on her handlebars every so often to test her grit and endurance. She once landed on a podium in a local trail race—and you can ignore the fact that there were only three riders in her category that day.
Stasia feels most at home in the mountains and much prefers a high alpine ridge to a busy city street. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in Southeast Alaska, has held WFR, AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue certs, and is working to become an avalanche education instructor. Right now, her focus is on her work as a writer and editor in the outdoor space. She’s been testing and writing about gear for over 11 years. Stasia is also the managing editor of Trails Magazine, a quarterly print publication for backpackers and adventurers who like to sleep in the dirt.
