saddle bag essentials

mills2510

Hi all,
Finally got my bike after a few long weeks waiting for C2W voucher.
I pushed the 1,000 limit close so did not get anything other than bike/helmet and cleats for my money.

Now I know I will need:
Couple of spare inner tubes
Pump of some description
Multitool?
My Whyte axel tool

But anything else I may need for a saddlebag? Or have I got bases covered with that list?

drlodge

I also carry a spare quick link (as I use them, they're v small and could be useful), puncture repair kit (in case you puncture both inner tubes and its small to carry), 2 plastic tyre levers, latex gloves, spoke key (if not on multi tool).

keef66

Yep, tyre levers unless you can get them on and off with just your thumbs. (Hats off to you if you can!)
Puncture kit in case. Including a sealed, unopened tube of adhesive, and some tyre boot patch things in case you rip a hole in the tyre (been there, done that)
Disposable gloves. Although I generally forget I have them till my hands are covered in filth, then put them on for the ride home to protect the bar tape...
Missing links or similar, plus a chain tool (my multitool has one) Hopefully you'll never need them (I've only snapped one chain on the road and that was a cheap Chinese censored one and only a mile from home)
Mobile phone / money / credit card

Ditched the spoke key; my low spoke count wheels are unrideably pringled if I lose a spoke.

mostly

As above but from this time of year onwards co2 pump cold and wet + hand pump = no fun. Self adhesive patches again for the same reason. Hand wipes from kfc. Bit of old inner tube.

laurentian

Things I recently included in a list on another thread:

Two or three of those lemon wipe things you get in KFC take up no room and will get the worst of any oil off your hands

Have a check of how many sizes of hex bolts are actually on your bike - in my case (for things that I am ever going to need to adjust or tighten on the road) it is just 2. Therefore 2 x hex keys costing pennies rather than a bulky and expensive multitool - easier and better to use than a multi tool too.

Chain tool

fenix

Multi tools are only any good if they're usable. I binned mine and use separates now. Sometimes the body of the tool just gets in the way.
Spare bolt for your cleat.
Spare cash
Ziptie.

drlodge

Topeak mini 20 multi tool is pretty good. Its only for use in emergencies.

drummer_boy

I have spare tube, Co2 cans, tool, chain link, patches and rubber gloves.

mugensi

1 x tube
2 x CO cartridges
1 x CO Inflator head
2 x tyre levers
1 x Park Tool self sticking puncture repair patches.
1 x KMC quick link.
3 x Allen keys (4, 5 & 6mm)

All the above fits in a small Scion pouch which is very neat and tidy when velcro'd to the saddle rails at the rear.

salty seadog

A quality saddlebag to put that stuff in. I use a Topeak aero wedge bag, med or large I can't remember. Around £15-£20. Buy cheap and you get a poor quality system for attaching to the bike and poor seams and zips.

Btw what Whyte did you go for? I have the Montpellier and absolutly love it.

Moonbiker

Tyre boot made from a piece of old worn out tyre.

pilot_pete

Moonbiker wrote:

Tyre boot made from a piece of old worn out tyre.

^this, with the beads cut off....

PP

kajjal

Another thing worth carrying is disposable gloves. That way when you are fiddling with the drive chain the oil goes on the gloves and once you are done you can take them off and have clean hands.

Multitools tend to be useless as they tend to get in the way in use. Best to carry what you need separately with proper tools.

craigus89

Kajjal wrote:

Another thing worth carrying is disposable gloves. That way when you are fiddling with the drive chain the oil goes on the gloves and once you are done you can take them off and have clean hands.

Multitools tend to be useless as they tend to get in the way in use. Best to carry what you need separately with proper tools.

How big is your saddle bag!? Or do you ride with a backpack full of tools or something? A multi-tool saves room and weight, that is the general idea...

kajjal

Craigus89 wrote:

Kajjal wrote:

Another thing worth carrying is disposable gloves. That way when you are fiddling with the drive chain the oil goes on the gloves and once you are done you can take them off and have clean hands.

Multitools tend to be useless as they tend to get in the way in use. Best to carry what you need separately with proper tools.

How big is your saddle bag!? Or do you ride with a backpack full of tools or something? A multi-tool saves room and weight, that is the general idea...

Not just a full tool kit but also gaffer tape and petrol.

More seriously i have a couple of allen keys and a small screw driver which fit everything on the bike. They would weigh less than most multitools which have lots on i don't need and are easier to use.

thebikeboy16

Yes, I would have a multitool and as above tyre levers. Some people carry a spare inner tube and it is an essential. A boot and puncture repair kit could come in handy. It really depends on how long you are cycling for and where.

dannbodge

I carry:

Quick Patches
Tyre Levers
Cereal bar
Cash
Housekey
Phone
Tissues (folded up really small)

If I get in any major issues, the phone and cash will get me home.

darkhairedlord

mobile phone to call the team car (wifey).
no tools required.

mac9091

I have in my summer kit:

1x tube
1x Puncture rapair kit (so when i puncture i repair straight away)
2x Tyre levers
1x Multi tool (really small gerber type)
1x Multi tool (gerneral bike one)
1x Gear cable
1x Brake cable
1x Spare link

I do also have a mini pump attached to the side of one of my bottle cages with a fair amount of electrical tape wrapped round the pump. (Not actually sure why, but its there just in case)

For winter months i have now included a CO2 unit and canister (will be grabbing a 2nd canister shortly).

Today i also considered making up a small First Aid Kit, with stuff like alcohol wipes a bandage dressing (or pads) and some Vaseline. Suppose i could use the electrical tape to secure the bandage

Frank Wilson

I like to carry an 8" by 10" oil on canvas of Frank Carson.

airborne_warrior

Used to have 2 rollups and a lighter in my saddlebag for a quick bine at the halfway point. That was over a decade ago though.

Sutton_Rider

I find the plastic tyre leavers in the winter tend to snap 'cos they get brittle. So I use metal ones. But it depends how tight the tyre is on the rim.

darkhairedlord

No need for levers with good technique.
If its cold and the tyre a bit stiff just pee on it, that'll warm it up and lubricate the need on one go.

thebikeboy16

Lights.

EBEB

I have had a gradually growing saddle bag. After a break I would buy something to repair it. It has never broken again though, so nothing I have ever bought has come in useful. It got to the point where I was carrying a spare derailleur hanger and a temporary spoke kit (imported from America). I even carried things to repair what I read had gone wrong on other people's bikes.

I've only ever used an inner tube and tyre levers. Never tried removing a tyre with thumbs. Will have to have a go. I suspect it depends quite a lot on the tyre. I hope it is because after each break I learnt how something works better and maintenance improved. Probably just luck though.

Now I just take 2 x inner tube, 2 x tyre levers (why are there 3 in a set?), a mini-pump, an Allen key that works the important things and a very basic chain tool. I've installed powerlink type connector on every chain already. I don't carry a tube repair kit as I prefer to repair tubes when I get home and am warm. Ditto, spoke tool; if the rim gets buckled by a pothole I repair it at home.

A spare rear derailleur hanger is quite helpful though if you are commuting and need to be quick. Otherwise just removing the derailleur and converting it to a single speed by shortening the chain works enough to get home. A rear brake cable might be useful, but I've never had one break.

ben@31

- Stick on patches
- Spare inner tube
- 3 tyre levers
- multi tool
- chain quick link ( Ive actually had a chain snap on a mtb in the middle of a forrest. Was about a 10km / 6 mile walk home)
- money for cafes
- house key

I carry a dual function minipump and a co2 cartridge in my jersey pocket.

the_cyclist_of_catan

Most of what others have said, plus an emergency foil blanket or two. Because I was once in a position where I really needed one, and didn't have one with me. I'm not sure that it would have stopped me turning blue before the ambulance turned up, but i would have liked to have been in a position to find out.

drlodge

The stuff in my saddle bag is used more for other people's mishaps then my own. A well maintained bike and running tubeless means my incidents are far and few between, I can't remember the last time I had to open my saddle bag. Take the essentials and for the low probability event that you can't foresee, be prepared to call for assistance.

Inner tubes (if you need them), patches, tyre levers, spare chain link, multi tool, latex gloves, pump (and Co2 if you want) and a credit/debit card to bail you out if the worst happens. That's about it.

I do carry an inner tube just in case the tyre blows and comes unseated, but in the unlikely event that happens, its more likely I'd be calling for a lift home anyway.