What do you carry with you on every ride?

gcwebbyuk

http://youtu.be/-1gv6Y5NSno

feemackenzie

meanredspider wrote:

Chain tool and spare link. I'm not sure what people will do if their chain snaps. It's not happened to me fully but it's game over if it does.

I carry the usual multi-tool and, yes, my chain snapped (through my poor maintenance of not cleaning after a wet ride). The chain split across a link; tried splitting the chain with the very small multi-tool. No success. Solution - freewheel 4 miles to Halfords, pay for them to fit a new chain and cycle home.

Still, if I was further away, the taxi money and/or family support crew (aka Mrs M) would be called on.

Man Of Lard

Handful of Cadbury's Chocolate Eclairs (to be sucked at a rate of 1 eclair per 10km travelled - I'm powered by these)
Mini CO2 cylinder tyre inflator
Self-adhesive patches (two brands - any two - just I've had one patch dry out through lack of use...)
Inner tube & tyre boot
Multi-tool (including chain tool)
Tyre levers (light plastic ones - Topeak Shuttle 1.1 I think they are)
Appropriate chain quick link
Mini Pump (after being caught short with a second puncture and having used all my CO2)
Space blanket (nothing like changing a tube in -4C with snow falling to induce hypothermic feelings)

Can you tell I cycle in a rural area with b

---

all phone coverage?

Fabius

holiver wrote:

I think most people have covered the essentials. However, I also carry a bit of paper that says what to do incase of an accident and some ID that gives emergency contact information.

This is the most important thing to take on any solo ride.

The secret rider

I know some people are showing a bit of frustration that this is an old or repeated topic but for what its worth as a new rider this is invaluable information that has already altered what I take with me on a ride.

I like the idea about the contact info although doubt someones initial reaction to finding someone should the worst happen would be to riffle through their pockets. guess there is a bracelet or something that exists ?

fatsmoker

First aid trainers suggest an ICE (in case of emergency) contact on your phone, but that, of course, means you shouldn't lock your phone.

apreading

Threw my chain tool out of my pack to save weight on a sportive at the weekend, largely as I have yet to need it. Saw a stranded rider, asked if we could help and his chain had snapped. If I had my tool, I would have been able to get him going but he had to call control and wait for help. I think I will keep it with me in future on any long ride where I dont want to risk hours at the side of the road...

Also just downloaded an app called 'GoodSAM alerter' after a talk from the guys who set it up yesterday. It keeps track of all the St Johns, ambulance service and other trained responders and if you trigger an alert notifies the 3 nearest you, shows locations of defibrilators and pinpoints you on a map to these responders and the emergency services. Its all free so you never know - I will have this with me now too!

gcwebbyuk

With regard to a chain tool - do they need to be 11/10/9 speed compatible to be able to break a chain? I have a KMC 11 speed chain, and carry a couple of the KMC magic links with me. But my multi tool is from the 9 speed days. Will this suffice, or should I look into replacing it with an 11 speed version? (I have a full size 11 speed chain tool at home)

apreading

As far as I am aware, the chain tool will be the same. The quick links are different though - but in a pinch you might get away with a non-optimal quick link to finish a ride, provided the quick link is wider rather than narrower than the proper pins.

gcwebbyuk

Ah I have the right speed links, is just the tool that is not 11 speed, so sounds like I should be ok.

apreading

Ah, reading a little more, it looks like any tool should be fine for breaking a chain but replacing a bin in one (i.e. if not using a quick link) afterwards needs to flare out the end of the pin which means it needs to be the right depth.

Looking on the web, it is not clear how much of an issue this is though, e.g. Pedros website: "Nearly every chain tool we offer can be used on 11-speed chains. The one exception is the chain tool on the ICM Multi-Tool which will work on single-speed through 10 speed chains."

keezx

You can close a chain with any chaintool, but the connection won't be reliable on 10/11 speed chains.
That's why you need a quicklink.

KevChallis

quick link for rides, chain tool at home, repair on the ride, fix when you get home

apreading

KevChallis wrote:

quick link for rides, chain tool at home, repair on the ride, fix when you get home

You will need the chain tool on the ride to remove the broken link before you can put the quick link in.

kenong

gcwebbyuk wrote:

I'm new to road riding, having ridden an MTB in the past, and so I have been used to either carrying a ruck sack or stuffing a saddle bag full of kit/tools etc.

What is the bare minimum that you would take on a 2-3 hour ride?

I'm guessing:
1-2 spare tubes
puncture kit
levers
multi-tool
CO2/pump

Have I missed anything?

Welcome to roadbiking!

For myself these are what I will bring on a 2-3 hours ride:

2 spare tubes
CO2 (1 shot)
Mini pump
ID card
Cold hard cash
Mobile phone
Mini tool kit (w/ attached tyre levers)
Water proof plastic container
1 Power Bar (if 2-3 hours non stop ride)
Sun block/screen (if day time)



If it is for a quick 1 hour interval training or recovery:

1 spare tube
Mini pump
ID card
Cold hard cash
Mobile phone
Mini tool kit (w/ attached tyre levers)
Water proof plastic container

tramuntanacycling

As I have the mountains right here, and weather can be changeable, I will always take a gillet and some type of neck warmer.

I would also like to add that going out for a cycle should be simple. Always have what you need right there, either ready packed in the small seat bag or easy to scoop up on your way out. Too much to do before going out shortens your ride time and may even stop you going.