Explore essential MTB tools for your adventures on the trails and for home bike maintenance!
Whether fixing a mishap during your ride or replacing a part at home, having the right tools makes all the difference.
As a certified bike technician, I know exactly which tools are essential, and I’m here to guide you in acquiring the right equipment.
Hold off visiting your local bike shop (LBS) for now because many issues can be resolved independently. The small investment in quality tools will quickly pay off.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of essential tools for both home maintenance and on-the-go repairs.
In addition to the tools I use and have tested, I’ve curated various other excellent options for each type of tool. I’ve gathered insights from other users, fellow riders, and professional bike technicians to ensure you have the best selection.
Essential MTB tools to carry on-the-go
Below, you’ll find the tools I always carry while mountain biking. Further down, you’ll find some other options to consider based on your own needs and preferences.
These are the tools I carry with me:
- Multitool
- Tubeless repair kit
- CO2 pump
- Mini pump or electric bike pump (During longer rides or when traveling abroad)
I also carry zip ties, mounting tape, and one tire lever. There’s also a spare SRAM AXS battery in my backpack.
Tools you may also want to consider
- Shock pump
- Chain breaker tool (if you’re multitool doesn’t have one)
- Tire pressure gauge
Must have MTB tools for bike maintenance at home
- Torque wrench
- Assembly stand
- Floor pump
- Missing link pliers
- Chain breaker tool
- Cassette lockring tool
- Chain whip
- Allen key set
- Torx key set
Of course, there are more advanced tools that you can acquire. With the above tools, you can perform various basic maintenance tasks on your mountain bike without specific training.
For more specific tasks, like replacing bearings and servicing suspension, it’s better to leave it to someone with expertise. If you have the knowledge yourself, it’s obviously more advantageous to have the tools for those tasks as well. However, it’s not advisable for beginners to invest in those tools right from the start.
Now, with these lists, you’ll have all the essential MTB tools to get started and perform basic maintenance on your mountain bike at home and on the go!