Hitting the mountain trails means steep climbs, rocky descents, and tight singletrack. An MTB intercom keeps you connected with your riding partners, letting you call out lines, warn of obstacles, or share tips, without stopping or relying on cell service. Rugged, weather-resistant, and glove-friendly, these devices are built for the demands of mountain biking.
In this post, we will cover:
- What is an MTB intercom?
- How does it benefit mountain biking?
- What options are recommended to invest in?
What is an MTB intercom?
In simple terms, an MTB intercom is a wireless communication device that lets mountain bikers talk to each other while riding—no yelling, no stopping on the trail. You can think of it as a hands-free walkie-talkie made for helmets, but smarter and far more trail-friendly.
MTB intercoms use Bluetooth (or mesh, on higher-end models) to transmit your voice between riders over short to medium distances.
Once mounted on your helmet, they allow real-time communication even when you’re spread out on singletrack, climbing at different speeds, or dropping into descents. Most systems also pair with your phone, so you can listen to music, hear GPS directions, or take calls, all without taking your hands off the bars.
What really makes an MTB intercom useful is noise control. With built-in wind and noise cancellation, your voice stays clear even at speed or on rough terrain, making group rides safer, smoother, and way more fun.
Why use it for communication on the trails instead of your phone?
Riding off-road means rough terrain, spotty signals, and moments where stopping to check your phone just isn’t an option. That’s why more riders are turning to MTB intercoms. These systems offer a safer, more reliable way to stay connected with your riding partners.
An MTB intercom keeps you connected even with no signal
Mountain biking often takes you far away from cell towers—deep in forests, narrow canyons, or remote backcountry trails. That’s where an MTB intercom really shines. Instead of relying on mobile networks as your phone does, MTB intercom systems use Bluetooth or mesh-based rider-to-rider connections. The result is a direct, device-to-device link that keeps communication going even when your phone is stuck on “No Service.”
It lets you chat hands-free while riding
An MTB intercom is built for continuous, real-time conversation. You pair up before the ride, press a button, and from that point on, you just talk—no dialing, no reconnecting, no messing with screens. Compared to smartphones, which require calls, apps, and constant attention, MTB intercoms feel effortless, especially when both hands need to stay on the bars.
It is built for the challenges of MTB trails
Phones are general-purpose devices. MTB intercoms are made for riding. That means wind-resistant microphones, helmet-friendly mounting, glove-compatible controls, and audio tuned for outdoor movement. Many MTB intercom systems also prioritize important sounds like navigation prompts or a riding partner’s voice, helping you stay aware of what’s happening on the trail without distraction.
An MTB intercom lets you do more than just talk to your riding partners
Modern MTB intercoms go far beyond basic communication. Most can connect to your smartphone for music playback, GPS voice guidance, or incoming calls—all while keeping intercom audio active. With audio multitasking, you can listen to a playlist or trail directions and still hear your riding partner instantly, without cutting anything off mid-ride.
It delivers battery life that lasts the entire ride
Using your phone for calls, navigation, and apps can drain the battery surprisingly fast on long MTB rides. MTB intercom systems are designed with endurance in mind, offering battery life that lasts through extended trail sessions or full-day adventures. That also means you can preserve your phone’s battery for navigation, photos, or emergencies—where it matters most.
What MTB intercom to use: 3 best picks for different riding groups
Before diving into specific models, it’s worth understanding the key features that make a bike helmet communication system truly useful on the trail:
👉 Clear sound quality: Voices stay clear even with wind and trail noise.
👉 Easy controls: Simple, glove-friendly buttons or dials for riding.
👉 Long battery life: Enough power for a full ride, ideally 8+ hours.
👉 Good range: Reliable connection over hundreds of meters for group rides.
With these key features in mind, let’s take a look at some MTB intercom options that stand out for different riding styles and group sizes.
Moman H2S: Best 1-on-1 MTB intercom with audio multitasking, 2-rider kit at $99
If you want to stay connected on the trail without shouting across rocks and roots, the Moman H2S is a surprisingly capable pick for mountain biking buddies.
Its compact clip-on layout can be securely attached to most MTB helmets, full-face, modular, or open-face styles, using the mounting clip or Velcro provided. There is no need for a special slot or built-in communicator port.
Once it’s mounted, the H2S lets you talk with your riding partner while still streaming music or listening to turn-by-turn GPS directions. And auto audio ducking lets music or navigation fade appropriately when talking for clear communication.
The 1000m intercom range and Bluetooth 5.1 & 5.3 connection keep you connected even when you spread out a bit. Its wind-noise cancelling tech helps keep chatter clear when you’re bombing downhill.
Controls are simple enough to hit with gloves on, the waterproof, rugged build stands up to sweat and dust, and the battery easily lasts a full day on the trail.
For mountain riders who want real-time voice communication plus tunes and nav without too much bulk, the H2S is a practical, rider-proof choice.
⚙️ Specs. talbe
| Communication Range | 1000 meters |
| Bluetooth Version | BT5.3 / 5.1 |
| Battery Life | 25 hours |
| Noise Cancellation | ENC + DSP + CVC & wind-proof mic |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX6 |
| Ease of Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pros
🟢 True audio multitasking
🟢 Hi-Fi sound
🟢 Long battery life
Cons
🔴 Brand-locked pairing
🔴 No universal mesh support
Moman CP-E: Connects groups of 6 and works with any MTB helmet intercom, single pack at $69.99
The Moman CP-E is a great step-up if you’re riding with a small crew on the trails and want one system that covers comms, tunes, and nav all in one.
Unlike basic two-person units, the CP-E can link up 2–6 riders with a stable range of up to about 2 km for group chats, and 1 km for a pair. It is perfect for weekend MTB outings with friends.
It has a glove-friendly control knob that’s easy to twist or press, which is perfect when you’re riding in gloves and don’t want to mess around with tiny buttons.
The DSP & CVC noise reduction tech helps cut wind and trail noise so you can actually hear your buddy without cranking the volume.
Battery life is solid enough for long days out, and bonus features like music sharing, FM radio, and voice assistant support mean you can switch between chatting, music, and GPS without extra gear or headaches.
⚙️ Specs. table
| Communication Range | 2000 meters for group, 1000 meters for pair |
| Bluetooth Version | BT5.1 |
| Battery Life | 28 hours |
| Noise Cancellation | DSP + CVC |
| Waterproof Rating | IP65 |
| Ease of Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pros
🟢 Supports up to 6 riders
🟢 Compatible with other intercom brands
🟢 Music sharing & FM radio support
🟢 Long battery life of 28 hrs
Cons
🔴 Bluetooth-based, not mesh
🔴 Not ideal for larger MTB crews
Moman CP-X: MTB intercom system with mesh networking for up to 24 riders, single pack at $69
Stepping up from the CP-E, the Moman CP-X is built around mesh communication, which is really handy if you’re doing larger group rides or events.
Instead of simple Bluetooth pairing, mesh lets every unit automatically connect with every other one, so you can have up to 24 riders all linked together without anyone needing to be “the hub”. This makes it ideal for crew rides, trail events, or teams that split up and regroup.
Like the H2S, it has wind-noise reduction (ENC + DSP + CVC), intuitive knob controls you can hit with gloves on, and the ability to handle music, GPS prompts, and calls alongside intercom chat.
What really sets it apart is mesh network reliability and flexible group modes, which are great if you don’t want everyone to drop out of comms just because one pair loses line-of-sight.
⚙️ Specs. table
| Communication Range | 2000 meters for group, 1000 meters for pair |
| Bluetooth Version | BT5.4 |
| Battery Life | 10.5 hours |
| Noise Cancellation | ENC + DSP + CVC & wind-proof mic |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX6 |
| Ease of Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pros
🟢 Mesh network for up to 24 riders
🟢 Automatic mesh linking & stable connections
🟢 Audio multitasking with auto volume control
🟢 Hi-Fi sound & noise cancellation
Cons
🔴 All riders need CP-X units, limited third-party cross-brand support
🔴 More complex feature set, can have a slight learning curve for new users
So, which one to choose?
The Moman H2S is simpler and focused on two-person communication, rider and partner. The CP-E and CP-X are better if you’re riding with more than one buddy or want extra flexibility for music, nav, and larger groups.
💡 Quick choosing tips:
👉 H2S: Best for 1-on-1 comms and simpler setups — lean, clean, and easy.
👉 CP-E: Great for small group rides (up to 6 riders) with extended range and extras like music sharing.
👉 CP-X: Built for large groups (up to 24 riders) with mesh networking and robust connectivity across lots of units.
>> More to read
Moman also offers downhill mountain biking safety equipment; click the link to discover what can improve your MTB rides.
