What tools to have on a ride at all times?

marcel147

Hi guys,

I have read the Top Tips & Tech section. I found the section on tools there too, but it seems to address the tools for home use.

I would like to know what tools one should never leave home without so as not to come unstuck on a ride.

Also, what solutions are you using to carry them, I would guess a specific small bag somewhere would be appropriate. However my Boardman Pro FS has cables & suspension nearly everywhere so not sure how to fit a bag.

Picture uploaded below of my bike, notice the rear light below the seat has become lost. Also note my lock is in a stupid place and it ends up pushing the rear muddy off center.

http://topspotsnookerclub.co.uk/content/img-0491

If anyone has any bright ideas please share them with me

sorry, dont know how to insert a picture any other way

bails87

Use a hydration pack/backpack?

And a multitool with the relevant hex keys and a chain breaker.

patto583

I take a multitool with a chainbreaker on it, a set of tyre levers and a spare innertube and puncture repair kit. and i keep my lock in a hydration pack or small rucksack, especially since i don't take it with me when i'm off road, i leave it in the car.

cooldad

You get triangular shaped bags that fit under the top tube.
But a camebak thing is easier, one bottle would never be enough water for me on a decent ride.
Otherwise what patto853 said plus a pump.

diy

multi tool with breaker
leatherman
spare brake pads
bit of carpet (good for repairing a split tyre)
cable ties
spare links and spare power link
pump
puncture kit
spare tube.
couple of different bolts
shock pump (sometimes)

first aid kit (roll of elastoplast, bandage, antiseptic wipes, gloves scissors and super glue)
waterproof
phone
money
power bar
at night - spare 18650s, spare tail light, high vis sack cover

all goes in the pack - just.

marcel147

diy wrote:

multi tool with breaker
leatherman
spare brake pads
bit of carpet (good for repairing a split tyre)
cable ties
spare links and spare power link
pump
puncture kit
spare tube.
couple of different bolts
shock pump (sometimes)

first aid kit (roll of elastoplast, bandage, antiseptic wipes, gloves scissors and super glue)
waterproof
phone
money
power bar
at night - spare 18650s, spare tail light, high vis sack cover

all goes in the pack - just.

Good grief, will that lot fit in a camelbak or a holdall?, bet your never short of owt in your house diy!!!

Seriously though, thanks for all the help here everybody

So I have decided on :-

Multitool with chainbreaker
Puncture kit
Spare tube
Tyre levers
Pump
Lock
Hydration Pack

cooldad

diy wrote:

etc
etc
etc
etc.....
all goes in the trailer - just.

FTFY

sharky1029

If it is just popping out to the local woods for a play around all I have is:
A bottle of water
Keys,Phone etc
Allen key multitool

If it is anything more than that in my camelbak will be:
Tube
Pump
First aid kit
Water
multitool
small pedal spanner
punture repair kit
extra layer depending on weather
tyre levers

For day trips to trail centres etc. I would take all of the above and
food
posible spare tyre depending on the terrain
plier type multi tool
small screwdriver for specs
track pump if travelling by car to ride site
and anything else nessacary that can fit in the car

concorde

Allen keys, tube, pump - that's all for me.

Anonymous

marcel147 wrote:

Picture uploaded below of my bike, notice the rear light below the seat has become lost. Also note my lock is in a stupid place and it ends up pushing the rear muddy off center.

Frame looks far too big if that's the saddle set at pedalling height :?

marcel147

yeehaamcgee wrote:

marcel147 wrote:

Picture uploaded below of my bike, notice the rear light below the seat has become lost. Also note my lock is in a stupid place and it ends up pushing the rear muddy off center.

Frame looks far too big if that's the saddle set at pedalling height :?

Think you might be right

nicklouse

marcel147
Oh bloody hell Top spot snooker. the number of times I have staggered past there....

marcel147

nicklouse wrote:

marcel147
Oh bloody hell Top spot snooker. the number of times I have staggered past there....

You did well to get out while you could

diy

The one thing I don't carry is tyre levers. Unless you run narrow wire slicks, you don't need them if you do it right.

paddlemyowncanoe

I keep it lean. I have never needed an Allen key, screwdriver for anything that couldn't wait. Chain breaker and link def number 1. Hutchinson tubeless cannister (I run Stan's already and don't want to change it thanks). A whistle and a mobile phone.

Anonymous

diy wrote:

The one thing I don't carry is tyre levers. Unless you run narrow wire slicks, you don't need them if you do it right.

Whereas all I carry is a tiny little park multitool, puncture repair kit, pump and tyre levers.
Not all tyres and rims are created equal, mine need that lever to get the initial pop off the rim.

unityjon

Picture uploaded below of my bike, notice the rear light below the seat has become lost. Also note my lock is in a stupid place and it ends up pushing the rear muddy off center.

couldn't you put the lock around the seatpost rather than beside it ?

When i'm out i rely on my mates to carry everything, is that bad ? LOL :oops: but then i am new to this and need to tool up.

t0pc4t

mutlitool with chain breaker
powerlink
tube x 2
crank bros tyre lever thingy
mini pump
phone
fags

diy

If you have a smart phone. there are handy torch apps on both iphone and android that can turn your mobile in to a torch. Given that it takes no physical space its worth having.

As is a map.img which you can get from any of the open source map sites for free.

yeehaamcgee wrote:

diy wrote:

The one thing I don't carry is tyre levers. Unless you run narrow wire slicks, you don't need them if you do it right.

Whereas all I carry is a tiny little park multitool, puncture repair kit, pump and tyre levers.
Not all tyres and rims are created equal, mine need that lever to get the initial pop off the rim.

Fair point, but I would seriously think about sticking a tube of antiseptic or wipes in and a strip of plaster in. takes hardly any space really. Ideally you want the superglue too so that if you slice yourself open when miles away from anywhere you can close up the wound and avoid a bad scar or infection.

POHB

Wrap some gaffer tape around the pump. Takes no room and you can mend your bike or yourself with it.

jon87uk

A multitool with chain breaker.
A spare tube.
A pump.
Some zip ties.
A small puncture repair kit.
A small first aid kit (plasters and some sterilising wipes, very basic).
Some quick links for chains.
Small roll of electrical tape.
And lights cause sometimes you just push a little hard and get back later then planned.

In a hydration pack.

Also always have my phone. Especially when riding alone.

Anonymous

diy wrote:

Fair point, but I would seriously think about sticking a tube of antiseptic or wipes in and a strip of plaster in. takes hardly any space really. Ideally you want the superglue too so that if you slice yourself open when miles away from anywhere you can close up the wound and avoid a bad scar or infection.

I'm no nancy boy though. I've yet to have an injury that stopped me getting home. Including dislocating a knee, and being torn to bits on slate.
Oh, and when my old man fractured a vertebrae in his neck, we rode most of the old Karrimor trail in Coed y Brenin to get back to the car.

Antiseptic wipes are for cats.
Anything properly serious, as in "Oh dear, I appear to have stopped moving", and I'm going to need an airlift anyway.

diy

Which reminds me - I also carry medi gloves.

I don't have a problem with blood but don't really want to be touching other peoples.

Last bloke I helped (a roady) was fitting (its quite common with concussion) and all his mates were in shock. He'd broken his nose, jaw, loosened a few teeth and may have cracked his eye socket too. His mates were in shock and no use.

I was quite lucky a doc came along just before the ambulance, but there was a lot of blood and vom which I had to clear, because the injuries initially looked far worse.

Anonymous

diy, the best course of action in that instance would have been to break his neck quickly and put him out of his misery.
And with your rubber gloves, you wouldn't have left any fingerprints either, BONUS!

diy

But there would have been witnesses, though not sure how useful they would have been. I must admit I wouldn't want to ride with his mates. He'd been down a couple of minutes before we arrived and they hadn't called an ambulance.

whitestar1

You never ever leave home without a proper multi tool!

topeak alien II
x2 tubes
home made first aid kit + power choc bar
most certainly a good pump
latex gloves - hate greasy hands
Halfords large puncture kit
feak swiss multi knife
I have a collections of zip tires too
most trusty iPhone 3GS with BikeDoctor,BikeMate,CycleMaps (apps man)

check out the following link on members' views on what is a good multi tool
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12774351&start=20&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Anonymous

diy wrote:

But there would have been witnesses, though not sure how useful they would have been. I must admit I wouldn't want to ride with his mates. He'd been down a couple of minutes before we arrived and they hadn't called an ambulance.

Maybe they'd already had a go at extinguishing them, before you thoughtlessly turned up and saved him then.