Mountain biking is exciting, but safety comes first. Before you hit the trail, here’s what you need to check:

• Bike Safety: Inspect your frame for cracks, ensure tires are properly inflated, test brakes, and check your chain and gears for smooth shifting.
• Safety Gear: Wear a certified helmet (look for MIPS technology), appropriate body protection, gloves, and eyewear to shield against debris.
• Emergency Kit: Pack a first aid kit, bike repair tools (multi-tool, spare tube, tire levers), and enough food and water for the ride.
• Final Steps: Check trail conditions on Trailforks, monitor the weather, and share your route with someone for safety.

Quick Tip: A simple “ABC” check – Air (tires), Brakes, Chain – can prevent most issues. Stay safe and enjoy the ride!

Bike Safety Check

Inspect the Frame and Suspension

Check the frame and suspension for any cracks, especially around welds and stress points. A damaged frame can fail unexpectedly, leading to dangerous situations.

To assess the headset (the system that lets your handlebars turn):

• Hold the front brake, rock the bike back and forth, and feel for any looseness or clicking.

If you notice any movement in the headset, adjust it immediately. Also, give the cranks a firm pull to ensure they’re securely attached to the bottom bracket.

Once done, move on to the wheels and tires.

Examine Wheels and Tires

Your tires are the only part of the bike that touches the ground, so they need to be in top shape. Here’s what to look for:

Tire Pressure and Condition:

• Check tire pressure before every ride.
• Inspect for cuts, holes, or damage to the sidewalls.
• Ensure tread depth is adequate; replace tires when wear indicators are gone.
• Look out for bubbles or deformities, as these could signal structural problems.

Wheel Security:

• Confirm that thru-axles or quick releases are tightened properly.
• Spin the wheels to check for wobbles, which might indicate alignment issues.
• Squeeze pairs of spokes to ensure proper tension.

Test the Brakes

Your brakes need to work perfectly every time. Here’s how to test them:

• Squeeze both brake levers to make sure they engage smoothly.
• Check the brake pads; replace them if less than 1/4 inch remains.
• Listen for grinding or squealing noises, which can indicate wear.
• Ensure the brake levers feel firm and don’t pull all the way to the handlebar.

After confirming the brakes are in good condition, inspect the drivetrain.

Inspect Chain and Gears

A well-maintained drivetrain ensures smooth shifting and reduces the risk of breakdowns. Check for the following:

• Signs of wear or rust on the chain and gears.
• Proper lubrication of the chain.
• Smooth shifting through all gears.
• A securely mounted derailleur.

Mountain Bike Pre-Ride Safety Check

Required Safety Gear

Before hitting the trails, make sure your bike is in top condition and you’re equipped with the right gear to stay safe.

Helmet Guide

A good helmet is non-negotiable. Look for one with CPSC or EN 1078 certification, MIPS technology, extended coverage for your ears and neck, proper ventilation, and an adjustable fit system.

"The idea behind Mips technology comes from the anatomy of the human head, where you have the brain and the skull that can move relative to each other due to the surrounding fluid, called the cerebrospinal fluid. The aim of the Mips technology is to create a relative motion between the head and helmet." – Mips

Here are some top-rated helmets for different riding styles:

Pairing your helmet with proper body protection will further reduce the risk of injury, especially on challenging trails.

Body Protection

The type of body armor you’ll need depends on your riding style and the trail’s difficulty. Modern designs offer a balance between comfort, flexibility, and protection.

Recommended body protection gear:

Hand and Eye Protection

For gloves, choose a pair with a snug, second-skin fit to maintain control and precision. G-Form‘s padded bike gloves with SmartFlex technology provide excellent protection without sacrificing dexterity.

When it comes to eyewear, pick glasses that shield your eyes from debris, improve visibility, and prevent fogging. Rudy Project‘s mountain biking eyewear offers a wide field of vision and great ventilation, making it ideal for intense rides.

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Trail Emergency Kit

Being ready for the unexpected on the trail goes beyond just checking your bike and gear. A well-stocked trail emergency kit can make all the difference when minor issues arise.

First Aid Kit

A solid first aid kit is a must-have for any ride. The High Above Trail First Aid Kit ($45.00) is a great option that you can customize to fit your needs.

Here’s what you should include:

• Basic supplies: Gauze pads (4), gauze roll, nitrile gloves, medical tape, alcohol prep pads
• Emergency items: CAT Tourniquet, Israeli Bandage ($10-20), triangle bandage, Roll (SAM) Splint, emergency blanket
• Medications: Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Benadryl, antibiotic ointment

Once your first aid kit is ready, make sure your bike repair kit is up to the task too.

Bike Repair Kit

Mechanical issues can happen anytime, so pack tools and parts to handle common problems:

• Essential tools: Multi-tool with chain breaker, tire levers, CO2 inflator or mini pump, tire plugs
• Spare parts: Quick links, spare tube, derailleur hanger, shift cable
• Emergency items: Zip-ties, duct tape, aluminum wire, extra bolts

For chain repairs, always carry a PowerLink that matches your chain system. It’s a small item but can save you big headaches when your chain breaks mid-ride.

Food and Water

Staying fueled and hydrated is just as important as having the right tools. Pack based on how long you’ll be riding:

• 1–2 hours: 1.5–2 L of water, an energy bar, and trail mix
• 2–4 hours: 2–3 L of water, energy bars, a sandwich, and electrolytes
• 4+ hours: 3+ L of water, multiple snacks, real food, and salt tablets

Pro tip: Keep your first aid kit in a waterproof zip-lock bag and store it separately from your repair gear. This keeps medical supplies clean and easy to grab in an emergency.

Final Pre-Ride Steps

Make sure you’re ready to hit the trails by completing these last-minute checks.

Check Trail Status

Before heading out, use Trailforks to check the trail conditions. Their color-coded system makes it easy to understand:

• Green: Clear and good to go
• Yellow: Some minor issues
• Amber: Significant obstacles to watch out for
• Red: Trail is closed – do not ride

Trailforks also provides real-time updates. For instance, in February 2025, puddles were reported on the Yogurt Pots trail, while in January 2025, fallen trees blocked parts of Ashford Combe Rim. You can also reach out to your local land manager to confirm the latest trail access updates.

Check Weather

Use Epic Ride Weather to get a forecast tailored to your planned route and riding time. Key weather factors to consider include:

Check weather trends for the day before and the day of your ride. Recent rainfall, for example, can make trails slippery or unsafe.

Share Your Route

Once you’ve confirmed trail and weather conditions, take a moment to share your route with someone you trust for added safety. Trailforks makes this simple with two useful features:

• Share your route link with emergency contacts
• Enable live location tracking for real-time updates

Send a quick text with your route, set a check-in time, confirm your expected return, and turn on live location sharing. These steps ensure someone knows where you are in case of an emergency.

Conclusion

Safety Check Summary

Spend just 5 minutes on a pre-ride check to avoid unexpected issues on the trail. The basic "ABC" check focuses on three key areas:

Sports medicine expert Dr. Stuart Willick emphasizes, "The key to preventing injury is to ride within your ability level. Increase your time riding on technical terrain gradually". This simple check lays the groundwork for a safer and more enjoyable ride every time.

Making Safety Checks Routine

Turn these quick checks into a regular habit to stay safe and keep your bike in top shape. Routine inspections don’t have to be complicated. Cycling professionals suggest doing a more thorough check every 3–5 rides to avoid potential issues.

"Routines can be helpful for ensuring safety and comfort. And the more you repeat a routine, the more automatic it becomes."

• Jim Rutberg

Here are a few tips to keep your bike running safely:

• Keep tools handy: A multi-tool and bike pump make pre-ride adjustments easier.
• Learn basic maintenance: Skills like spoke tightening and derailleur adjustments can save you time and hassle.
• Schedule professional tune-ups: Aim for an annual inspection or after particularly tough rides.

Dr. Willick also reminds riders, "You are more likely to get hurt when fatigued. Know when to take a break and when to call it a day. We would rather see you on the trails than in clinic".

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