Published October 10, 2025 12:09PM
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Mountain Bike Gear Under $50 I’d Buy Again and Again
Believe it or not, you don't have to break the bank to complete your mountain bike kit
(Photo: Lily Ritter)
“Just get a bike,” they say. “Just one big purchase and you’re good to go.” Unfortunately, mountain bike gear, tools, and components are notoriously expensive. But not everything you use while riding your two-wheeled steed through the woods has to break the bank. From gloves to grips to mud guards, there are plenty of items that can improve your ride without costing an arm and a leg—all while adding a little bit of flair. That’s what we’re here for, right?
Here are a few unsung heroes of our mountain biking kit that brighten our rides, from midsummer to late fall. And considering it’s all under $50, it’s truly the little things that make the biggest difference.
My Favorite Mountain Bike Gear Under $50
- Palm-Protecting Gloves: Wild Rye Galena Gel Bike Gloves
- Slim (But Not Short) Grips: Deity Slimfit Grips
- Odor-Fighting Socks: Smartwool Bike Crew Socks
- Do-It-All Multi Tool: Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool
- Dirt-Deflecting Fender: Skida Mountain Bike Fender
- In Case of Emergency: High Above Trail First Aid Kit
- Air at Your Fingertips: Crank Brothers Gem Hand Pump
Wild Rye Galena Gel Bike Gloves
Grippy, padded, and just the right amount of breathable, Wild Rye’s Galena Gel Bike Gloves have become my go-to mountain bike gloves for everything but the coldest bike rides (for early winter rides, the Gnarnia Gloves up the warmth factor.) The synthetic suede palm material is soft and a little stretchy, while the moisture-wicking polyethylene shell keeps my hands cool when I’m sweating up a storm as I drop in on a techy feature I’ve been scared of. And the “Wild Rye” silicone detail on the palms up the vibe while adding much-needed grip to keep your hands on the bars.
Deity Slimfit Grips
An underrated component, grips are one of your main points of contact between you and your bike—you can’t tell me that doesn’t sound important. As a small-handed human who spent years riding my mountain bike with grips that were way too big, I was thrilled when I finally came across Deity’s Slimfit Grips. The tapered grips are slim but not short, leaving plenty of space for your hands to move around and adjust on the bars. The diamond-patterned TRC+ rubber blend sticks to your hands like a dream, and the rubber goes all the way around the end of the bars, giving me a little peace of mind for crashes—bar ends are often the source of quarter-sized bruises after a crash. If slim grips aren’t your thing, Deity makes plenty of shapes and sizes with the same textured rubber.
Smartwool Bike Crew Socks
A great pair of mountain bike socks is one that you put on and forget about, and Smartwool’s Cold Weather Bike Crew Socks are just that. Comfortable, sweat-wicking, and slightly padded, these crew-height socks provide the perfect amount of coverage from trailside foliage, with targeted reinforcement zones for extra cushion. They’re made with Smartwool’s proprietary wool, nylon, and elastane blend, which I’ve found time and time again to be the ideal combination of wool and synthetic fabrics—even after wearing them for three rides in a row in the Vail Valley this fall, they somehow never seem to stink. Perfect road trip material.
Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool
Seventeen tools, all in the palm of your hand. The Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool is a mini miracle maker. It includes 2-8mm hex wrenches, screw drivers, spoke wrenches, and more. The slim folding design fits easily in a shorts pocket or bike pack, and the tool’s robust steel design will hold up to years of wear and tear. And you don’t need to be having a trailside crisis to need this tool. From mini handlebar adjustments to bolt tightening to opening a beer back at the trailhead, you might find yourself whipping this thing out more than you think.
Skida Mountain Bike Fender
A mud guard with a little flair, Skida’s colorful fenders add some much-needed color to any bike build, along with a serious layer of protection if you’re riding in muddy fall conditions. The heavy duty polyethylene design is a collaboration with Skida and Tire Fire, and it’s easy to attach to your fork with a few zip ties or straps. Even if you’re not riding in the rain, I’ve found this mud guard to not only protect my bike, but also keep little bits of sand from flying up into my face on ultra dry days in the desert. Plus, they last forever. My first fender finally kicked the bucket after at least four years of heavy wear, right on time for fresh patterns from the Vermont brand we all love.
High Above Trail First Aid Kit
On carefree summer rides where all we have is a water bottle, granola bar and maybe a wind layer, it’s easy to overlook first aid while mountain biking. I always find myself drastically underprepared in the summer compared to winter adventures on skis, where we often carry a large backpack that can fit the whole kitchen sink—and the same goes for mountain biking. High Above’s Trail First Aid Kit comes neatly prepared in a waterproof pouch, with simple first aid essentials like gauze, alcohol pads, gloves, Band-Aids, trauma shears, an emergency blanket, and more. All of that fits in a tidy little 8-inch x 4.75-inch package, which slides easily into a hip pack.
Crank Brothers Gem Hand Pump
We don’t want to jinx ourselves and mention the “f” word, but we’ve all gotten carried away on the trail and punctured a tire or two. Hopefully you never actually get your money’s worth for the Crank Brothers Gem Hand Pump, but when you need it, you need it. This little ride saver is sleek and lightweight—a 4.5-ounce tool that just might save your ride if you flat (oops, we said it). It’s got both Schrader and Presta valves, and works for road or mountain bikes. Stash it in your pack and forget about it.