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What tools do you carry?

secretsamsecretsam Posts: 4,947
edited July 2009 in Commuting chat
Am looking to rationalise/lighten my load by buying some nice new tools to carry with me; am still trolling round with separate allen keys, spanner etc

What (other than a tube and tyre levers) do you folks carry on your trips?

Mine's a short-ish series of journeys totally around 10 miles per day

Thanks
It's just a hill. Get over it.
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Posts

  • sarajoysarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Tube & tyre levers plus:

    Smallish multi-tool
    Thin little spanner, which fits all the nuts on the bike
    A cable tie or two
    P*ncture repair kit (tiny little pack thing from Tesco)
    Think I might have something with a little spoke turning-notch on it too.

    Think that might be it... I considered putting a chain tool in there but, I have none of them magic links yet so it's rather redundant. If my chain goes (unlikely yet I hope, touch wood) I'll have to call a taxi!
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • GussioGussio Posts: 2,452
    Tube
    Mini pump and levers
    Self adhesive patches
    Small multitool with chainsplitter
    J-cloth to wipe my hands after mending p*nctures, which is usually in the p1ssing rain
  • sarajoysarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Oh, small pump. Forgot that one!
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • mattybainmattybain Posts: 115
    Small multi-tool, spare inner tube, puncture repair kit and some disposable plastic gloves nicked from ASDA petrol station (for use by diesel owners).
    26km each way commute on a Decathlon Comp 1 2006 Road Bike

    2009 Communting Totals - Car 112 miles Bike 2,765 miles
  • lost_in_thoughtlost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    In london, none.

    Out of london, tube, tyre levers, pump, allen keys (multi-tool).
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Agent57Agent57 Posts: 2,300
    I carry one of these. It's not the lightest multi-tool in the village, but it has a lot of options when it comes to tightening things up. I also carry a bit of cash. Enough for a phone call, at least.
    MTB commuter / 531c commuter / CR1 Team 2009 / RockHopper Pro Disc / 10 mile PB: 25:52 (Jun 2014)
  • JameyJamey Posts: 2,152
    I carry the following on every commute:

    1 x Multi tool
    1 x Spare tube
    1 x Puncture repair kit
    3 x Metal tyre levers
    3 x Spare chain powerlinks
    1 x Chain splitter (full size)
    2 x Spoke nipple wrenches
    3 x Small hex wrenches (in addition to multi tool as it doesn't feel sturdy for really tight bolts)
    1 x Pair overshoes
    1 x Big D-lock
    2 x Cable locks

    So I'm probably not the best person to help with lightening the load :)
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • GussioGussio Posts: 2,452
    Jamey wrote:
    I carry the following on every commute:

    1 x Multi tool
    1 x Spare tube
    1 x Puncture repair kit
    3 x Metal tyre levers
    3 x Spare chain powerlinks
    1 x Chain splitter (full size)
    2 x Spoke nipple wrenches
    3 x Small hex wrenches (in addition to multi tool as it doesn't feel sturdy for really tight bolts)
    1 x Pair overshoes
    1 x Big D-lock
    2 x Cable locks

    So I'm probably not the best person to help with lightening the load :)

    All that kit is why you need to ride a CX :lol:
  • GussioGussio Posts: 2,452
    Jamey Nice photos in your link, BTW. I like the whole industrial decay / urban grit thing that you have going on.
  • JameyJamey Posts: 2,152
    Gussio wrote:
    All that kit is why you need to ride a CX :lol:

    I wish that were the case... The truth has far more to do with pies than tools :)
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • il_principeil_principe Posts: 9,152
    I have a huge amount of [email protected] stashed in my bag, including:

    Levers
    Minitool
    MASSIVE adjustable wrench
    pump
    Co2 canisters
    Freewheel remover
    Montane jacket
    inner tubes
    lights
    spare batteries
    D lock
    Cable Lock

    Most vital stuff is in my saddle bag which lives in my courier bag during the week and on the roadie at weekends!
    2015 Canyon Aeroad CF SLX
    2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
    2020 Canyon Inflite SL 7
    On the Strand
    Crown Stables
  • _Brun__Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    Bolt croppers
    Bottle jack
    Blade
  • GazzaputtGazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    In london, none.

    Out of london, tube, tyre levers, pump, allen keys (multi-tool).

    You really carry nothing on your commute?

    For me a multi tool, 5/8 spanner, 2 tubes, patches and powerlinks.
  • biondinobiondino Posts: 5,990
    2 tubes
    multitool
    mini pump
    Crank Bros speedlever

    Unless I'm out with Brun, in which case it's

    jemmy
    torch
    blackjack
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • lost_in_thoughtlost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Gazzaputt wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    In london, none.

    Out of london, tube, tyre levers, pump, allen keys (multi-tool).

    You really carry nothing on your commute?

    For me a multi tool, 5/8 spanner, 2 tubes, patches and powerlinks.

    No, I carry my handbag, work clothes and washbag. ;)

    But no tools. I'm never far from civilisation.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • _Brun__Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    LiT just stands at the roadside looking a bit helpless. Even if she has to wait more than two minutes for some poor bloke to stop, the tube will still get changed faster and her fingernails will all be intact.
  • Stuey01Stuey01 Posts: 1,273
    sarajoy wrote:
    Think that might be it... I considered putting a chain tool in there but, I have none of them magic links yet so it's rather redundant. If my chain goes (unlikely yet I hope, touch wood) I'll have to call a taxi!

    You don't need a magic link to fix a chain. I've fixed loads with just a chain tool.

    Remove the broken link without pushing the pin all the way through, re-join chain by pushing pin back from other side using chaintool. job done.
    Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur
  • lost_in_thoughtlost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    _Brun_ wrote:
    LiT just stands at the roadside looking a bit helpless. Even if she has to wait more than two minutes for some poor bloke to stop, the tube will still get changed faster and her fingernails will all be intact.

    Fortunately Greg T has a 'damsel in distress' location and homing device - I never have to wait long. ;)

    In all seriousness, though, I tend to just go to the nearest bike shop or get a black cab.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • sarajoysarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Ah, I guess there's a bit of play in amount of chain.... maybe I'll shove it in then! It was a cheapo thing from an ALDI saddlebag but might be worth having in there just in case...
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • MrChuckMrChuck Posts: 1,663
    I don't carry anything on my commute/just-getting-around riding, but for MTB/road I have:

    Tube
    Levers
    2 patch kits (the glueless Park ones and some 'proper' ones)
    Multitool (including chain tool)
    Pump
    Cable ties (not on the road)

    I don't carry them on my commute because if I was swapping them around all the time I know the day would come when I didn't have them when I really needed them. The worst that's likely to happen on my commute is a few miles walk and that's rare enough that I'm not bothered. Also I'm a student so can be a bit more sanguine about being late!
  • Deadeye DuckDeadeye Duck Posts: 419
    edited June 2009
    In my saddlebag, I have:
    multitool
    innards of p*nc repair kit / a small bit of rubber (from inside of old light mount) / some cable tie; all in a jiffy bag.
    spare tube
    tyre levers (soon to be a speed lever because I'm not very good at using normal ones)
    one of those pack down waterproofs
    multi spanner thingy with 4 sizes & with spoke bits too
    keys
    phone

    On my bike, I have:
    pump
    bottle
    lock
    lights

    On me, I have:
    phone
    food

    It just keeps adding up. I'm probably going to end up carrying a spare bike, 10 years from now. :? :oops:

    EDIT: I'm also on the look out for a spare BB cable mount, simply because there's a vid of some old lady on YT who said she carries one, and I decided it was a good idea :lol:
    Schwinn Fastback Comp : FCN 5
    The Flying Scot : FCN 515q6cuv.png
    My Life, My Bike & My Xbox
  • gtvlussogtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Long valve tube,
    Tyre levers
    Allen key tool
    15mm ring spanner
    crank brother high pressure pump.

    job done.
  • amneziaamnezia Posts: 590
    muliti with chain breaker
    spare links
    co2
    inner tube
    tyre levers
    tiny p* repair kit.
  • bigmatbigmat Posts: 5,132
    On the MTB - nothing (its a tank, nothing can stop it)

    On the road bike - often nothing, but if I remember:
    - multi-tool
    - mini-pump
    - spare-tube
    - self-adhesive patches
    - tyre levers
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] ... otostream/
  • iclestuiclestu Posts: 503
    gtvlusso wrote:
    Long valve tube, ...

    Humour an ignorant newbie here:

    I saw 'valve extensions' when buying a spare tube recently and wondered what on earth they were for, now you spelcifically mention a Long valve tube.

    What is the purpose of these long valves?
    FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

    Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro
  • -spider--spider- Posts: 2,548
    Does anyone carry a corkscrew?
    -Spider-
  • _Brun__Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    iclestu wrote:
    gtvlusso wrote:
    Long valve tube, ...

    Humour an ignorant newbie here:

    I saw 'valve extensions' when buying a spare tube recently and wondered what on earth they were for, now you spelcifically mention a Long valve tube.

    What is the purpose of these long valves?
    Long valves are for the deeper than your average rims. Extensions are for the massively deep section carbon ones the better-off TT riders (and certain bike tarts) favour.
  • AidyAidy Posts: 2,015
    For commuting, I tend to carry:

    Multitool with allen keys/chain tool
    CO2 cartridges & inflator
    Spare tube
    Tyre levers
    Puncture repair kit

    I'm probably switching out a CO2 cartridge for the smallest pump I can find, though.

    I've also got a completely separate set of tools for not-commuting bike rides, because I'm too lazy to switch stuff between bags :) These go:

    Multitool with allen keys/chain tool/some spanners/spoke key
    Leatherman tool
    Pump
    Spare tube
    Tyre levers
    Puncture repair kit
    Spare brake pads
  • cjcpcjcp Posts: 13,345
    - Insulating tape can come in handy.
    - Couple of a chain links.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • GussioGussio Posts: 2,452
    Aidy wrote:
    I'm probably switching out a CO2 cartridge for the smallest pump I can find, though.

    I can recommend one of these, the Topeak Micro http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topea ... 360036953/ you can splash out another tenner for the carbon version, but not sure that the weight saving justifies the extra cost.
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