For many mountain bikers, life without a bike is no longer conceivable. However, the feeling of absolute freedom can be lost if you have the wrong equipment. Fortunately, there are a few products that help you to live and travel comfortably even in the tightest of spaces.

There's nothing like a sparkling clean bike. It makes the next ride more enjoyable and a well-maintained machine rides better. So that you don't waste too much time cleaning your bike, we present five "friends" who can help you get it done quickly.

They can save an entire bike trip: The little helpers that get your bike back on the road in the event of a breakdown. This is where Granite Design steps into the breach, with tools that spend their lives in the shadows and then come into their own in the light of day. We're talking about clever tire plugs, chain rivets or multi-tools that can be parked in the handlebars or head tube. Granite Design has even more useful tools that are worth a closer look.