Mountain biking can be rough on a person and on a bike as well. However, regardless of that it is still a very popular thing to do. Many people will go out and spends a lot of money on the newest and best mountain bikes available. That is all good and well, but what a mountain biker can ill afford to do is overlook some of the basic accessories when it comes to this hobby. Having the proper protective riding gear is essential in ensuring that your safety is looked out for; however, other more basic needs are commonly overlooked. One of the most overlooked in that category is the issue of mountain bike repair.
Mountain bike repair is really a two-headed monster and you, as a mountain biker, need to cover both areas to ensure longevity from your bike. The first thing to consider is having the proper tools to facilitate a repair at home. In many cases things like a complete toolset that should include Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, and socket sets are important to have when a part needs to be removed and a new one installed. Spare parts like replacement tyres, chains, seats and other various bike parts are important to have on hand. If you do not have them, make sure that you have a good bike shop locally where those items are readily available.
The other aspect to consider is what you take with you on a ride. A paired down version of what you have at home will normally do for your mountain bike repair. Things like a spare inner tube, tyre repair kit, a small wrench, a portable pump and some duct tape will usually get you by in a pinch. Most repairs can be affected with these basic tools if a breakdown should occur while you are out riding. In many cases these tool kits are small enough to fit under the bike seat and should not be a burden to carry with you on a ride
Most of the time with mountain bike repair it is about knowing how to disassemble and reassemble the bike. In many repair instances, a part that has broken will need to be replaced rather than attempting to repair it. Mountain bikes are much more complicated that they ever have been before; however, even with this, it is after all still a bike, and it does not take a master mechanic to fix a problem. With a very basic set of tools, fixing a mountain bike is straightforward and minding your bikes maintenance and repairing breakdowns when necessary ensures that your bike will be there to provide you with years of enjoyment.
