One of our latest recommendations for riders tackling our local, rockier trail systems—like Ringwood and Sterling Forest—has been Schwalbe’s Radial tires. After riding them extensively throughout an entire season, we’ve learned quite a bit about how they perform on our terrain.

Unlike the minimalist or day tripper, the backcountry rider assumes that mechanical issues, weather changes, or unexpected delays are not just possible—they’re likely. The goal isn’t to carry everything, but to carry the tools and supplies necessary to solve most problems and safely get home.

Unlike the minimalist, the day tripper plans for more than just a flat tire. This rider is prepared for mechanical issues, changing weather, nutrition needs, and unexpected delays. The goal is confidence—knowing you can handle most problems on your own and keep riding.

In this week’s blog, we’ll look at two popular storage setups for day rides: bike-mounted storage and lumbar packs (also known as fanny packs), along with the essential gear each should carry. Both options offer practical ways to stay prepared without overloading your bike or body.

Before every ride, ask yourself two key questions: How long or how far am I going? And how remote will I be from civilization or a local bike shop? In this three-part blog series, we’ll break down what to carry based on your ride type and risk tolerance. We’ll cover gear recommendations for the minimalist, the day tripper, and the backcountry long-distance adventurer. Today, we’re starting with the minimalist approach.

A common question we hear in the shop is “Why does this bike have pedals, but that one doesn’t?” The short answer is entry-level bikes usually include pedals, while enthusiast bikes usually do not.

There are three main types of pedals:

• Flat pedals

• Clip-in (clipless) pedals

• Dual-sided (combination) pedals

Below is a quick guide to each.

There are three main ways to inflate a tire on the go: a mini (hand) pump, a CO₂ inflator with cartridges, and mini electric compressors. Each has its place, along with its own pros and cons. Rather than a long-winded explanation, we’ll break down each option simply so you can decide what works best for your riding style.

Your only responsibility: bring your bike in periodically so we can inspect the system and check or top off your sealant. We’ll take care of the rest—so you can enjoy fewer flats, better ride quality, and more time on the bike.

Because of this, our lighting setup is carefully dialed. We’ve found the ideal combination to be 1200+ lumens on the handlebars paired with at least 1000 lumens on the helmet. The bar light provides your main field of vision, while the helmet light lets you see into corners and down the trail.