A 10-Piece Mountain Bike Trail Repair Kit

An ill-fated mountain biker makes a walk of shame back to the trailhead. A well-prepared one analyzes the popped tube or broken chain, makes a trail repair and pedals onward.

Whether novice or seasoned rider, simple knowledge combined with a strategic cache of tools prevents you from pedestrian status. This stash of ten trail tools, though seemingly excessive, is what the spin doctor ordered. 

An Active Junky-Approved trail repair kit includes 10 essential items:

1. A Quality multi-tool

Must have: 2,2.5,4,5,6,8mm Allen keys, T25 Torx, Flathead, Chain tool, Spoke Wrenches. 

This is numero uno for a reason. From minor tweaks to bigger repairs, this multi-tool is the equivalent of a knife to a chef – everything starts here.

2. CO2 inflator with cartridges or pump 

Patch kits and spares are no use without a means to reinflate. Go CO2 if riding tubeless.

3. A spare tube

Simple enough, a spare tube is handy when a patch won’t cut it or you’re working against the clock. 

4. Patch Kit

When tubes continually fail, turn to these weight- and space-saving patches as backwoods Band-Aids. 

5. Zip ties

From repairing torn tires to buttressing a sagging saddlebag, zip ties are strong, cheap, lightweight and effective. 

6. Bailing Wire

Broken cable? Get home with bailing wire. Like zip ties, this is a versatile addition to your repair kit. 

7. Lighter

A lighter heats up the glue in your patch kit to seal a popped tube more quickly. Be careful; too long and your goose is cooked. 

8. Chain Masterlink

Come broken chain time, you’ll be stoked with this singletrack savior in your kit.

9. Duct Tape

Strong, versatile and cheap—another must-have. 

10. Derailleur Cable

Busted cables don’t shift; smart bikers carry a spare.

Familiarize yourself with each and every one, through online tutorials or – even better – your local shop’s techs.