what to carry when out biking for a day.

tsenior

i carry more than i need in the hope that one day i will be called on to assist sexy, young lady mountainbikers, all sweaty and muddy, with their various mechanical problems.

to date i've helped a couple of middle aged men and a married couple from rotherham.

njee20

Njee: what's the point of carrying CO2 if you don't always have a tube, and you don't carry a puncture repair kit?

Tubeless, never needed a tube!

Kaise

njee20 wrote:

Njee: what's the point of carrying CO2 if you don't always have a tube, and you don't carry a puncture repair kit?

Tubeless, never needed a tube!

show off!

bigpee

I did have a saddle bag until it broke and I nearly lost it. Only seatpost velcro strap kept it in place. Since then I use a camelbak mule which along with water contains:
1 inner tube
tyre levers
patches
pump
multi-tool
swiss army knife
phone
keys
rag
energy gel
cable ties
power links
chain tool
small spare led light
plasters
emergency foil blanket (was more for a really bad off in winter but takes up no space)
torch batteries if night ride

I really need to add some duck tape but haven't yet.

Briggo

I like to carry a trailor with a spare engine in it.

warpcow

For a full day out my Mule gets this:

water (obviously)
2 inner tubes
tyre levers (1 with duck tape wrapped around it)
patches (and tyre boots)
pump
multi-tool
knife
phone
keys
cable ties
power links
small first-aid kit (with a tenner hidden inside it)
food (haribo + something more substantial)
camera
sometimes a bottle of some other drink for when I get tired of water

In winter there's a whole other bunch of stuff (hat, extra gloves, lights, etc).

Anything less than 3-ish hrs and it's just a bottle of water, pump, and a saddle-bag with a tube, multi-tool and keys in it. Maybe a gilet stuffed in a jersey pocket.

thegiantbiker

Short rides:

Pump
patches
2x tyre levers
spare tube
multi-tool (free p.o.s. that's falling apart)
500ml water bottle
keys
phone
assorted bolts & screws from somewhere or other
swiss army knife

Extras for longer rides:

2l hydration pack
wallet
waterproof (it's light and I rarely listen to forecasts)
lunch (depending on what time of day I'm going)
camera

thegiantbiker

Oh, and cable ties. All the time.

guy72277

Maybe some of the people who carry very little do so because they know they're riding with those who carry a lot.

I've been on many rides where I've had to "lend" innertubes, patches, chain links, brake pads, tools, and food because the person I'm riding with has nothing. Actually it's often me who has to fix stuff too. Don't really mind, except when something happens to my bike and I have no patches left or I forgot to buy a new chain link having fixed someone elses.

My Camelbak's pretty full, but anyway the SAS train with Bergens full of sand, so a heavy backpack can only improve fitness.

diy

I had a couple of situations where I have broken a link, so I've started carrying the end of the chain that you normally trim on when fitting a chain. It means a temporary repair is permanent, as you just replace the link rather than shortening the chain.

ddraver

For short/XC/road rides/races

Bottle on the frame

Saddlebag with:-
Tube
CO2 kit
Tiny pump
Small multi-tool
SRAM powerlink
Adhesive patches

In jersey pockets
Energy bars/gels as applicable
5-10EUR for the cafe stop
Phone in a little zip bag with an old Driving licence photocard and my KNWU (Dutch version of British Cycling) membership cards, plus some headphones for if/when i get dropped on the club run

Longer trail rides I take the above in a Camelbak
derailleur hanger
Slightly more robust multi tool
Fold up chain tool
Space blanket and Small first aid kit
Swap the tiny pump for a Turbo morph with some gaffer tape round it
Zip ties
Waterproofs/warm clothes as applicable

getonyourbike

I've just added a bit of chain to my pack as I can't really afford to shorten the chain now is it's just right atm and any less and i can't use the middle ring, large sprocket combo.

Catfish

Appart from all the usual guff i also carry Nitrile (latex) gloves, two reasons,1 nowt worse than getting chain lube all over your new 661 gloves, 2 if you come accross an accident or have to administer first aid you don't want to get someone elses blood on you or risk passing on you germs to someone else. (Ex St John Ambulance) Nitrile are best as some people can have a Latex allergy.

getonyourbike

I've also just added a a gear cable

stu100

Multi tool
Spare Tube, cant be doing trying to fix a puncture
Tyre levers
Mini pump
Phone
Keys
2 bottles of fluid 3 if hot
Fig rolls
Jelly Babies
Mini Mars
Lucozade tablets
Some loose change

steelo

For rides up to 3hrs;
2 spare tubes
pump
first aid kit (with lemsip!)
tyre levers
multi-tool
leatherman
lube
water/juice
Phone/GPS

For rides over 3 hrs;
all the above +
more water/juice
food (banana, nuts, chocolate)
map!

zenistar

Camelbak with:

Mini Pump Shock Pump (once the new bike arrives) Tyre leavers MultiTool Swiss Army issue knife SRAM powerlinks Derailleur hanger Whistle Spare tube Standard puncture repair kit Park Tool adhesive patches Tyre boots Presta / Shreader convertor (handy if you pass by a petrol station and want to use their airpump) Some cash in notes (just keep it folded up with the puncture repair kit so it is always there) Rega insurance card (Swiss helicopter rescue / recovery service) Small first aid kit Phone

Normally also have with me:

Running jacket (packs very small) Trail map Food, something like Flap Jack / Cliff Bar and a Gel. Train card

If I'm commuting then I also have:

Shirt Undies Socks Ipod Nano & Headphones

I tend to keep suits / shoes in the office so only need to take the essentials for the day.

Wow seems a lot but really isn't when it is all packed (lives permenatly in) a Camelbak Mule.

Anonymous

zenistar wrote:

If I'm commuting then I also have:

Shirt Undies Socks Ipod Nano & Headphones

I've got this strange image in my head now of a commuter riding in shirt, undies and socks :shock:

Big Question

food
multitool
tyre levers
pump
inner tube
punc repair kit
chain tool
spare bit of old chain
quik links
waterproof

northtrack

In my camelbak hawg I normally carry for most rides (4-8 hours)

3L Bladder with fluid (Normally Isotonic Stuff)
Duel Barrel Pump (Attached on frame)
Spare MTB Tube (Re-Rolled up flat instead of coiled)
Puncture Kit
Couple of Tyre Levers
Electrical Tape
Spare Derailleur Hanger
Multi-Tool With chain breaker
KMC Chain Link
Various Sizes of Zip Ties
Gerber Multi Plier Tool
Small weatherproof light jacket
Mobile Phone
Money
Plasters and a couple of small bandages
Headache Tablets
Map of area
I've got a small box also with loads of litte bits and pieces in it, such as bendy wire, paper clip, piece of inner tube (to re-enfore tyre wall in event of blow out), you never know when you might need them and they weigh nothing.

In winter I carry spare batteries for my lights and a couple of silicone knogs for emergencies.

Food I normally take some jam butties with loads of jam for energy, couple of oat bars and maybe a banana.

When packet it doesn't even feel like I'm carrying it.

Some of you might think this is over kill but trust me I've been stuck years ago with a broken chain and lucky a passing mountain biker helped me out (still owe him a pint)

When your stuck out on the moors or slap bang in the middle of nowhere you'll be thankful that you carrying stuff to get you out of a rut.

leaflite

I generally take a camelback lobo (3l) with 1 or 2 multi tools (different sized allen keys on each), a chain tool, a pump, 1 or 2 inner tubes and some tissue incase of an injury.

bamba

Think ive only seen one person mention it , but some thing with emergency details on,point of contact,dob, allergy details etc very important if your out on your own id say.
Also in the depths of winter one of those pocket hand heater things and a foil blanket for a bit of warmth if no longer mobile.

Anonymous

bamba wrote:

Think ive only seen one person mention it , but some thing with emergency details on,point of contact,dob, allergy details etc very important if your out on your own id say.

I've learnt painfully the need for this.

Oh, and it's no use having emergency contact numbers in your phone if the phone is locked with a code that no one knows. As those with me found out.

Otherwise, put in a number under 'ICE' In Case of Emergency.

Reminds me to sort something decent out for this. Proper thing with details, maybe laminated.

zenistar

deadkenny wrote:

bamba wrote:

Think ive only seen one person mention it , but some thing with emergency details on,point of contact,dob, allergy details etc very important if your out on your own id say.

I've learnt painfully the need for this.

Reminds me to sort something decent out for this. Proper thing with details, maybe laminated.

Since I have started commuting and half of my commute is offroad / forest track, I have been seriously thinking of buying one of these ID braclets - http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

tsenior

all dayer?

non-winter conditions:

water
bannana
flapjack
fags
lighter
cash
mobile
map if new route
waterproof
multitool
2 x tubes
punture repair kit
tyre boot
mechhangar
powerlink + couple links chain
levers
spoke key
chain tool
cable ties
pump wrapped in duct tape

in winter add a warm hat + gloves and light spares, possibly a hipflask if its snowing.

zenistar

zenistar wrote:

Since I have started commuting and half of my commute is offroad / forest track, I have been seriously thinking of buying one of these ID braclets - http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

Since ordering this, the company mailed me with a discount code for any friends that want to buy, it is not much but you do get $1 off an order:

Coupon Number: ThanksAdrian8176596

This coupon is good for $1 off any Road ID order. It can be used up to 20 times in the next 30 days. Feel free to send this coupon via email, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, town crier, or good ole fashion smoke signal.

Disclosure - I am not in anyway affiliated with RoadID and I make nothing from this coupon, i am just passing along a code to others if they want $ off an order. I also hope this is not against any forum rules.

lochussie

I'm surprised how many ride without a spare mech hanger seeing as they're designed to snap/bend on impact.

Tim.s

bamba wrote:

Think ive only seen one person mention it , but some thing with emergency details on,point of contact,dob, allergy details etc very important if your out on your own id say.

Ive got one of these - http://www.utagice.com/acatalog/Credi.html

Basically just a digital dogtag. They have been popular in the motorcycle world for a while so most medical professionals would know what it was if they saw it.

pots74

Where are the first aid kits on the majority of the post? Some posts have listed fags over a first aid kit? Come on people we need to be more responsible! Ok if your at a trail centre maybe but out on the fells it's a must! We can't just rely on the mountain rescue! :x

MrChuck

Default is:

Spare tube
Multitool
Powerlinks (if I can find them!)
Tyre levers
Food/water
Pump
Phone
Cash
Cable ties

And then depending on the time of year, the weather and where I'm going (e.g. out in the sticks rather than a trail centre, or likely to be waiting for or sitting on a train in wet clothes in winter)

1st aid kit
Lights (little backup-type ones)
Spare base layer
waterproof jacket
Warm hat
Spare gloves
Extra spare tube
Spare brake pads