Maroons MTB Team - Accessories

After you've secured the Essentials, it's time to put your tool kit together

Beyond the tool kit, we've listed out some normal cycling accessories riders rely on.

(generic options offered only when they don't compromise quality or safety)

Essential Tool Kit components

You need a tool, tire repair, all 3 items under Flats, but only 1 of the 3 air options below (CO2, Pump, or Auto Pump). 6 items total + optional but recommended bag

Multi tools

Required to fix trailside issues. Look for low weight and a chain-break

CO2

Compressed CO2 cartrigdes to inflate a tire fast. Threaded (lighter >$) and threadless (heavier <$)

Pumps

Running low on air but don't want to waste a CO2? Look for a small lightweight pump

Automatic Pumps

Don't like snapping your presta valve off b/c your hand pumping got a little too gorilla? Have an extra few minutes to lounge around while your tire fills with air?

Airbank

Tire repair

Tubless tires? You need bacon, lots of bacon!

Flats

If all goes awry and you have to pull a tire, patch the tire and/or patch a tube - this will help with the sadness. You need all 3.

Accessory Bag

Now you have all this stuff - where do you put it??

Muc-Off
Rapha
Koozie (great to keep the tube safe)

Other accessories you might need. Examples with some suggestions.

Bottle Cages

The simplest way to carry water for your rides. Water is required at all NICA events. Don't get an off-brand cage

Water Bottles

If you're going with bottles and cages and not a hydration system, here are some options

Hydration Systems

Backpacks, hip packs. Stick to name brand options, most come with a lifetime warranty

Tires

Tires with sidewall, impact, and puncture protection that are lightweight? Only one brand comes to mind...

Tubeless kit

You didn't buy a bike with tubeless and you've realized what a bad move that was? Here ya go - time to get messy!!!

Chamois

Important for rides over ~5 miles. Padded shorts or bibs - don't buy an off brand or you'll be sad

Socks

Cycling socks are wicking and don't sag. Normal cycling socks for normal conditions, wool for winter and wet. 6" cuff recommended

Overshorts

Keep that $100 Chamois safe from snags and abrasion!

Home Pump

Blackburn pumps have a lifetime warranty. They're super cool about it.

Silca (see coach Thad
Blackburn
Blackburn Chamber (beading tubeless tires)
Park
Topeak Joe blow

Shock pump

Don't try to pump up your shock with a regular pump. It won't work. Shock pumps have very small volume and very high pressure

Home tool kit

You can buy a pre-assembled tool kit or make one yourself. Harbor freight is a good spot to start assembling the non-bike-specific parts (Allen keys, screwdrivers, etc.)

Dropper Post

If your bike didn't come with a dropper, you want one. They make trails more fun and more safe. Do not buy a hydraulic post. If you have a loaner bike, get an externally routed dropper for it.

Bike Lubricant

Do NOT use WD-40

Silca Chain Wax System (1,2,3) (speak with coach Thad for the team discount)
Rock-n-Roll (blue or gold)
Boeshield T-9
Tri-flow
Prolink

Bike Grease

Park (seatpost, hubs, headset, etc)
Slickoleum (shocks)
Anti-seize silver (takes the place of Park when dealing with dissimilar metals)
Carbon paste (carbon is very slippery, this helps)

Bike Aid

Penetrating lubricant. This will 'course' down an entire cable, often saving you from having to replace cable and housing after a wet ride. Fun game - try not to get it on your face!