In order to maximize trail time it is critical to have spare mountain bike parts readily accessible. While you could rely on your Local Bike Shop (LBS) to have what you need that isn’t always the case. With so many different variations of bikes (more parts for your LBS to stock), the increase in demand (more people riding/buying), and current global supply chain issues its more likely now that your LBS wont have what you need.
Additionally, if you take your bike to your local bike shop you are subject to when they can fit in your repair even if they do have the parts. Having spares mountain bike parts on hand allows you to fix your bike when needed. Of course when you can I certainly suggest support your LBS, such as even buying these parts through them. A bonus of buying parts through a LBS is they can help ensure you purchase the correct parts….trust me!
Now there are parts that you must have on hand at all times to keep you on the trails and then there are some parts that are considered nice to have ( for example if you have the extra cash). The nice to have parts certainly keep you on the trail as well but may not be as frequent of an item to need replaced.
Here are lists of both the must have and nice to have spare mountain bike parts:
Must Have Spare Mountain Bike Parts
- Derailleur – Hope you don’t damage these as much as I do
- Derailleur hanger – Easy to bend just by setting your bike down wrong. This is what you hope brakes instead of the derailleur.
- Bottom bracket – Never know when these are at end of life so just get a spare.
- Chain and master link – These brake when you are farthest from your vehicle.
Nice to Have Spare Mountain Bike Parts
- Rear Cassette – While they do last awhile never bad idea to have an extra
- Grips – Recently ran into an issue getting these and now keep an extra pair
- Spokes – Keep a couple on hand in case you brake one. Just make sure you get ones that fit your wheels!
- Brake pads – made this list cause these are something bike shops typically do have…typically
- Shift cable – If you have to replace a derailleur often make sense to replace cable at same time.
You don’t have to purchase these parts all at one time. You can buy spare mountain bike parts for your bike whenever you have the cash. Just remember many of these are specific to your bike so do your research before buying.
If you have enough extra cash a more expensive option is to purchase a backup bike. Who doesn’t want another bike anyways, remember the number of bikes you want is always N+1 (N being how many you currently have). For example if your full time ride is a full suspension maybe you purchase a hardtail as a backup. then you don’t have to worry about extended repair time as much.
Something I have been looking at recently is purchasing a hardtail frame and using all the parts I have to build a complete hardtail mountain bike. My backup hardtail could then be used either as spares for my full suspension or serve as complete different bike to ride. If I end up doing this I will cover the build in a future blog.
Check out this link for the tools needed to install these parts!
