What do you carry with you on a ride (repair wise)?

redddraggon

I seem to have been carrying a lot this week, but perhaps its just because the stuff has been in my pockets rather than saddle bag.

Is this too much/about right/too little?

-Tube
-CO2 canister + valve thingy
-Spesh multitool/allen key thingy
-Pair latex gloves
-Crank Bros tyre lever
-Minipump

Am I missing anything I should really carry? Perhaps I should carry 2 tubes? Anything I shouldn't bother carrying? Worth getting a saddle bag?

I normally carry a bit more on my hack bike in a largish saddle bag, but that includes batteries for lights that I won't need on my decent bike.

z000m

a credit card is handy

APIII

and a mobile.
I got two punctures last week, just as I was thinking I had gone a year since my last one, doh!

portuguese mike

I carry:

in a small (the smallest one that clips in to my Arione saddle) Fizik saddle bag:
2 Co2 canisters (and valve thingy)
2 tubes
compact multitool
small chain splitter
spare missing link
Tyre levers

and in my jersey pockets:
Mobile (wafer thin samsung thingy)
credit card
card with emergency contact details

'spose i might consider latex gloves if i wasn't wearing black shorts to rub my hands on

chrisw12

I'm going to regret saying this and angering the Gods but

Is there a need to carry a multi tool/allen keys?

I honestly can't remember the last time I had to do any mecanical work while on my road bike (ok much different answer on a mtb.) In fact if you replace your chain when you're supposed to, would you ever need a chain tool?

method

chrisw12 wrote:

I'm going to regret saying this and angering the Gods but

Is there a need to carry a multi tool/allen keys?

I honestly can't remember the last time I had to do any mecanical work while on my road bike (ok much different answer on a mtb.) In fact if you replace your chain when you're supposed to, would you ever need a chain tool?

Probably not, but I always do as it beats a 50 mile walk home in cleats. Plus its handy if you're still tinkering with your position.

woodford2barbican

I have had a chain fail on me on a ride - when it had less than 500 miles on it, and another time a friend's chain failed on him on his first ride out on a bike - probably a set up issue).

Both times my chain tool saved us when miles from home.

I had another chain snap on me whilst commuting, no chain tool and I ended up walking 3 miles in mid December.

-Tube
-CO2 canister + valve thingy
-multitool allen key
-Pair latex gloves
-Park tools levers
-Minipump
-Chain tool
-Credit card & cash
-Puncture repair kit
-valve extender (no point getting the tube in if you can't pump it up!)

TheGreatGatsby

my id - has my insurance no on it for road side assistance
mini tool
spare batteries for lights
mini pump
2 packs of leeches
2 tubes
Tyre lever
cash
mobile - see first point

Gats

sloboy

Leeches ?

Are they up to the job on road tyre pressures or are they just a get you home job ?

dennisn

Spare master link - ya never know - and it doesn't weigh anything.
Usually carry my ID, cash, and cell phone in a Zip-lock bag.
Used to use a screw top plastic bottle, that was made to fit in a bottle cage, to carry
stuff but lately I just stuff things in the rear pockets. Don't really like the seat bags. They
always seem to rub my legs a bit and it bothers me. For some longer tours or rides
I've got a small Camelback, from which, I have removed the bladder. Used it for week
long tours with no problems. It all depends on the ride. You know, how long, how far.

dennis noward

meagain

Multi-hex keys set, adjustable spanner (axle nuts etc), 8mm ring spanner, chain splitter, spare links, tube, patches and glue, tyre levers, pump, lock knife.... that's it I think.

Oh and plenty of spare rolling baccy in case all those fail and I have a long walk!I And a mobile to tell herself I'll be late!

method

Park Tyre boots, well worth it.

celbianchi

Worth sticking a zip tie in the saddle bag. Handy should your pawl bearings give out and you can atach the cassette to a spoke to make a fixed to get you home.
And a little bit of an old tyre (tyre boot) to patch up a badly cut tyre should this fate befall you.

cougie

I'd maybe not carry the canister if your other pump works well.
Chain tool is rarely needed - but thats the same as most of your kit. If you need allen keys all the time, then you are doing something wrong.

geoff_ss

A set of allen keys
tyre levers
pump
small adjustable spanner (it's beautiful tool made in the USA pre-war)
tie wraps
small slip-joint pliers
chain tool
patches/cement
old repair outfit tin containing 5mm allen bolts, chain link, 8mm allen bolt for seat pin clamp, spoke key
at least 2 spare tubes
wire bike lock
bit of plastic bag

Apart from the tubes and lock that all goes into a small zipped bag I've had for years and is intended (I think) for chalk dust for rock climbers. I know it seems a lot, but I like to be self sufficient. It dates from the days when we cycle camped abroad and I needed to be able to fix anything myself. I always ride with a rack pack (usually nearly empty) and the tool bag lives in there as does the lock and the spare tubes. It weighs very little and I still like hills. In Summer we usually take a packed lunch - cafe prices add up if you're out several times a week.

The 8mm bolt can be a life saver. I've known several break under tension (only once my own) and it really is very difficult to hold a saddle in place without it. The bit of plastic bag (the one my sandwiches are in will do) is a great way of repairing a split tyre and is much lighter than a spare folder. I've had tyres fail at the bead (on tandems and solos) and simply wrapping a plastic bag round the inner tube at the split will get you home with slightly reduced tyre pressure.

I suppose I'm a tourist at heart btw I very rarely need use any of the tools even on longish tours but it gives me a warm feeling to know that I can fix most problems.

Geoff

dennisn

Geoff_SS wrote:

A set of allen keys
tyre levers
pump
small adjustable spanner (it's beautiful tool made in the USA pre-war)
tie wraps
small slip-joint pliers
chain tool
patches/cement
old repair outfit tin containing 5mm allen bolts, chain link, 8mm allen bolt for seat pin clamp, spoke key
at least 2 spare tubes
wire bike lock
bit of plastic bag

Apart from the tubes and lock that all goes into a small zipped bag I've had for years and is intended (I think) for chalk dust for rock climbers. I know it seems a lot, but I like to be self sufficient. It dates from the days when we cycle camped abroad and I needed to be able to fix anything myself. I always ride with a rack pack (usually nearly empty) and the tool bag lives in there as does the lock and the spare tubes. It weighs very little and I still like hills. In Summer we usually take a packed lunch - cafe prices add up if you're out several times a week.

The 8mm bolt can be a life saver. I've known several break under tension (only once my own) and it really is very difficult to hold a saddle in place without it. The bit of plastic bag (the one my sandwiches are in will do) is a great way of repairing a split tyre and is much lighter than a spare folder. I've had tyres fail at the bead (on tandems and solos) and simply wrapping a plastic bag round the inner tube at the split will get you home with slightly reduced tyre pressure.

I suppose I'm a tourist at heart btw I very rarely need use any of the tools even on longish tours but it gives me a warm feeling to know that I can fix most problems.

Geoff

I agree. If you're racing, well, I wouldn't carry some things but if you're out training or simply riding it sure is nice to know you could fix a few things if you had to. I hate walking. On some longer and multi day tours I will even tape a couple of spare spokes
to the seatstays.

Dennis Noward

aracer

For normal dayrides, I agree with Chris above - haven't had a mechanical on a road bike out on the road on a day ride for longer than I can remember, so only carry tubes and means of inflation. For multi-day touring I carry more like the the kit Geoff suggests above, since things can go wrong over longer periods, and that's also normally with a tandem where bits are more stressed and do break (completed one day with the rear mech held together with zip ties after it exploded!)

gundersen

don't tell me that none of you have a GUN in your back pocket - what are you lot?

Lagavulin

Just the following normally:

Multi-tool (though not with a chain-splitter and I've been made aware that this is silly).
Mini-pump
2x inner tubes
Soma steel-cored tyre lever (excellent pice of kit).
Mobile phone.
Additonal allen/hex keys.

I've found the mobile to be the most worthwhile item to carry. Haven't invested in any Co2 to date so the mini-pump is a hope to get home affair but the mobile has enabled me to call out someone either to take me home or have them bring out a spare wheel.

Mettan

Typically, not much - although, I 'm going fully kitted out for the Cat on Sunday (includes Multitool/Chain Splitter/MIssingLinks/TyreLevers/Tubes/ElecPliers/etc).

robbie the roadie

Top tip an empty energy gel wrapper makes a good tyre repair kit if you unlucky enough to rip your tyre

In the smallest spesh sadle bad I carry

a tube
park tools glueless patch kit
tyre levers
multi tool
latex gloves

When on the fixie I also carry a bit of spare chain

pump goes in the jersey pocket. and my mobile if I'm out by myself

Mog Uk

Daily Commute - Frame Pump, C02 x 2, Spare Tube, Levers.

Club Ride - Frame Pump, C02 x 2, Spare Tube x 2, Levers

Mobile and money always on me.....

wildmoustache

redddraggon wrote:

I seem to have been carrying a lot this week, but perhaps its just because the stuff has been in my pockets rather than saddle bag.

Is this too much/about right/too little?

-Tube
-CO2 canister + valve thingy
-Spesh multitool/allen key thingy
-Pair latex gloves
-Crank Bros tyre lever
-Minipump

Am I missing anything I should really carry? Perhaps I should carry 2 tubes? Anything I shouldn't bother carrying? Worth getting a saddle bag?

I normally carry a bit more on my hack bike in a largish saddle bag, but that includes batteries for lights that I won't need on my decent bike.

It very much depends on who you're with, what they've got, where you are going, how far from bike shops etc. etc.

Generally though, when I have access to other riders and shops not to far, and am on good roads I will just carry:

Micro pump
Puncture repair kit
Tyre lever or two
Cash
Maybe an allen key or two.

That's it.

On longer rides I'd add a tube and maybe a mobile phone.

Saddle bag is not necessary. Adds weight and looks rubbish. You can easily keep the above in your jersey pockets (assuming your pump is small)

robbie the roadie

wildmoustache wrote:

It very much depends on who you're with, what they've got, where you are going, how far from bike shops etc. etc.

Generally though, when I have access to other riders and shops not to far, and am on good roads I will just carry:

Micro pump
Puncture repair kit
Tyre lever or two
Cash
Maybe an allen key or two.

That's it.

On longer rides I'd add a tube and maybe a mobile phone.

Saddle bag is not necessary. Adds weight and looks rubbish. You can easily keep the above in your jersey pockets (assuming your pump is small)

I think a tube is always worth carrying as it's got to be better in the pouring rain then faffing about with patches. Tubes are best mended in the comfort of ones own shed after the ride

wildmoustache

robbie the roadie wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

It very much depends on who you're with, what they've got, where you are going, how far from bike shops etc. etc.

Generally though, when I have access to other riders and shops not to far, and am on good roads I will just carry:

Micro pump
Puncture repair kit
Tyre lever or two
Cash
Maybe an allen key or two.

That's it.

On longer rides I'd add a tube and maybe a mobile phone.

Saddle bag is not necessary. Adds weight and looks rubbish. You can easily keep the above in your jersey pockets (assuming your pump is small)

I think a tube is always worth carrying as it's got to be better in the pouring rain then faffing about with patches. Tubes are best mended in the comfort of ones own shed after the ride

yeah, i would agree if it's pouring. i very rarely ride in the rain. i don't really see the point as i'm not a pro and i don't enjoy it.

I like being weight weenie but you're right, your value can go or you can get a rip in the tube that can't be patched and your stuffed without a tube.

but on rides where help is readily available i wouldn't bother.

the other thing i always carry is a bank/debit card.

aracer

wildmoustache wrote:

the other thing i always carry is a bank/debit card.

I would have thought that was a bit stiff to make a good tyre boot. :twisted:

z000m

i already suggested carrying a credit card earlier in thread if u bothered to read it, why would you want to carry a debit card aswell. i hate trolls :twisted:

wildmoustache

z000m wrote:

i already suggested carrying a credit card earlier in thread if u bothered to read it, why would you want to carry a debit card aswell. i hate trolls :twisted:

i'd never thought of that ... please PM me your credit card details so I can use that in future.

aracer

z000m wrote:

i already suggested carrying a credit card earlier in thread if u bothered to read it

Sorry!

z000m wrote:

a credit card is handy

I would have thought that was a bit stiff to make a good tyre boot. :twisted:

Happy now?

nic_77

One tip that might be useful...

My (sun)glasses came in a hard case - I use this to carry my mobile, money and ID card in my jersey pocket. It helps to keep everything in one place, and it means I have the spare lenses with me in case the sun comes out. Also if you are touring, you probably need the case anyway when not on the bike.

Other than that I have a small seat pack which contains:
- Two tubes
- Self adhesive patches
- Two allen keys (which fit everything I might need to fix)
- Couple of cable ties (might be useful)
- One tyre lever

My pump is on the bike

Nic

sufferingpete

At this time of the year for commuting

2 tubes
Tyre levers
Patches and glue
Multi tool includes chain tool and 5 mm Alan key
Spare front dynamo lamp bulb
Spare lightweight folding tyre
Spare connex chain link.
Pump on bike frame
Cable tie

Mobile phone
Wallet
Emergency SIS gel

Stuff I have used in the last 5 years

Chain tool has been used twice once on my chain when it snapped due to incorrect fitting and once on someone else’s bike who would have been stranded.

Alan key on a slipping saddle.

Multi tool to tighten lights that had become loose and brake pad shifted.

The spare tubes are ever since I snapped the valve of the inner tube.

The spare tyre is since only in the winter when it is too cold and dark to find what caused the original puncture. I now just swap the tyre.

Also I carry patches ever since I had 6 punctures on one trip. (Hedge cuttings!)

Used the spare bulbs every 3 months or so

Used a cable tie when bottle holder snapped.