Suggested Equipment

Riders

Mandatory for team rides

• Helmet – Make sure that it fits properly. Two fingers maximum should fit in the slack under the chin when it is buckled up. ( We’ll confirm this in the first practice.)
• Gloves – Gel padding can help prevent numbness. Full fingered gloves are recommended for mountain biking to protect fingers better in case of crashes.
• Cycling shorts – At least one pair required, two pair recommended for summer, as athletes may want to change between pre-ride and race. Even even if you were MTB shorts, you want to wear padded cycling shorts underneath. – Suggestion – The Black Bibs
• Glasses – Sport-specific. Do not wear glasses made with actual glass; this can be a hazard in a crash. Great options can be found on Amazon, such as some clear glasses or polarized cycling glasses.
• Trailside repair toolkit. A small saddle bag can be hung under your seat. Riders need to be self-sufficient, coaches assist when necessary but riders need to carry their own gear and be able to fix a flat (don’t worry, we can teach you!).
  • Bag to hold toolkit – Suggestions: Blackburn Grid MTB Bike Seat Bag
  • Spare Tube – Suggestions: 29″ MTB Tube
  • Patch Kit – Suggestion: Slime 20040 SKABS Pre-Glued 1-Inch
  • Inflator cartridge or hand-held pump – Suggestions: TOPEAK Racerocket HP Pump, TOPEAK Racerocket MT Pump, LEZYNE C02 Inflator, Gorilla Force, Value Pack 25g Threaded CO2 Cartridges 
  • Multitool – Suggestions: Topeak Mini 20 Pro Mini Tool, Crankbrothers Multi-Tool 17
  • Tire Levers – Suggestions: Pedro’s Bicycle Tire Lever
  • Chain Link: 12 speed SRAM Chain Link or 12 speed Shimano Chain Link
• Lights (front and back for early season midweek practices).
• Water
• Snacks

Coaches

Essentials

• Water. Consider carrying extra for riders
• Food. Consider carrying extra for riders (Gel packs are small and light)
• Waterproof jacket
• First aid kit (including gloves)
• Charged cell phone or communication device suitable for practice area
• Access to emergency contact/ medical list (Paper, Cell phone, or Pitzone/Team Snap)
• Tube (check it a few times a season) and dyna plugs (make sure you know how to use them)
• Mini-pump
• Tire lever(s)
• Multi tool with chain breaker – or individual tools
• Patch kit

Optional. Consider Carrying

• Map of riding area
• Space/emergency blanket
• Sam splint
• Spare layer to lend
• Quick links (9,10 and 11, 12 speed all available)
• Chain lube
• Spare tube for another rider/wheel size
• CO2 for quick inflation
• Pliers – most mini tools don’t have them (Or carry a leatherman)
• Duct tape or electrical tape
• Knife/scissors
• Zip ties
• Small pick
• Spare valve stem
• Spare cable
• Cleat bolts
• Hand saw

What’s in Neils Bag?

Tools & Parts

• Blackburn Grid MTB Bike Seat Bag – This bag works well for seats with a dropper post.  It only attaches to the rails on the seat and not the seat post.
• Topeak Mini 20 Pro Mini Tool – I highly recommend one like this with a chain tool
• Crankbrothers Multi-Tool 17  – This also has a chain tool.
• Topeak TT2524 Ratchet Rocket Lite DX Tool  – These ratchet tools are great. I carry one in addition to a multitool
• Pedro’s Bicycle Tire Lever – These are my favorite.
• 29″ MTB Tube – Lots of options out there. I’d suggest getting more than one.  Make sure you get a 29″ tube, which I’m pretty sure you all have.
• TOPEAK Racerocket HP Pump – or TOPEAK Racerocket MT Pump
• Gorilla Force, Value Pack 25g Threaded CO2 Cartridges  You need at least 20g to 25g to fill up a mountain bike tire.  16g will work on a road bike.
• LEZYNE C02 Inflator – I use this one.  Many options out there.
• 12 speed SRAM Chain Link – You need a chain link if you break a chain.  Get one to match you chain size.
• 12 speed Shimano Chain Link
• 11 speed SRAM Chain Link
• 11 speed Shimano Chain Link
• Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless Valve Stem – I’ve seen these brake on rides and carry one in my bag.
• Stan’s NoTubes Tire Sealant, Liquid Sealant, 2oz – Many riders forget to refill their sealant and it’s helpful to have an extra bottle on you.
• Valve Core Remover – I use a vale core remover to tight my core before attaching a screw on pump.  Or if I need to remove the core and add sealant.  These are nice because you can leave them on your value stems.
• Spare Brake Pads
• Assorted plastic zip ties
• Spare clipless-pedal-cleat bolts

Camping

• Toiletries – The usual items (tooth brush/paste, travel size shampoo and conditioner, etc…)
• Towel – (lightweight to enhance quick drying, like the PackTowl, if possible)
• Lightweight lock and cable – Recommended (U-locks are good too, but limited in function)
• Water carrying bladders or containers – at least 1 US gallon capacity (for refilling at the water pump)
• Basic first-aid kit – We will have these too, but it’s a nice habit to begin instilling
• Sunglasses*
• Flashlight/headlamp*
• Insect repellent – We will have this too, but it’s a nice habit to begin instilling
• Sunblock* – We will have this too, but it’s a nice habit to begin instilling
• Sleeping bag – Down bags are warmer, weigh less, and pack smaller, but useless if wet. Synthetic bags are heavier and bulkier, but less expensive for comparable warmth and they will keep you warm even if wet
• Sleeping pad
• Tent
• Personal eating utensils – Fork, spoon, cup, bowl, plate – WE AIM to produce minimal waste
• Plastic baggies and garbage bags*
• Small backpack