What supplies do you keep at work?

dinyull

Suffered 3 punctures on this mornings commute and I only carry 2 spares meaning a 2 mile walk.

I'll be honest, I just threw the first inner tube in without checking the tyre for debris which came back to bite me minutes later. Gave the tyre a once over next time and found a shard of glass, assumed wrongly this was the culprit.

So, on the walk I was considering what supplies I should keep at work: track pump, inner tube repair kit, pack of inner tubes, spare chain.

What else have I missed?

jamesco

Spares at work: underwear & a pair of socks in case I forget to bring them.

The bike always has a spare innertube, puncture repair kit (plus a spare one of those in case the cement in the open one has hardened), mini-pump and a multi-tool.

I guess it's the luck of being in Central London, but there are 4 bikeshops within 10 minutes walk of the office and if it comes down to it, I can take the tube and leave the bike here. The tyres - Kojaks - are reasonably robust and puncture-resistant. A spare chain would be absolute overkill as I've only ever had one snap and that was halfway between home and work. Just not enough power

hopkinb

At work I have inner tubes, brake pads, cheap battery-powered lights, pedal wrench, pedals, cleats, grease, lube. There's a track pump in the bike storage room. I keep my repair kit in my saddle bag along with 2 tubes, quick link and a multi tool - the repair kit has saved my bacon at least 3 times. Mini pump in a pocket.

fat daddy

a bike tool and cash

I work in town, so anything that breaks, i'll pop to the bike shop, buy what I need and repair it

dinyull

Yeah, I really should carry a repair kit.

tgotb

jamesco wrote:

A spare chain would be absolute overkill as I've only ever had one snap and that was halfway between home and work. Just not enough power

A set of quicklinks weighs almost nothing, and then you'll even be able to deal with a broken chain. Mine live in my puncture repair kit (which, in turn, lives in my pannier). I've never understood while some people don't carry one of these; even if you're happy to throw away your inner tube every time you puncture, without a repair kit it's only a matter of time before you find yourself in the same position as the OP.

I keep a spare (outer) tyre at work, in case I have something like a sidewall failure. Doesn't have to new; an old worn-out one will be enough to get you home. I used to have a couple of cables (gear/brake) but used them and haven't got round to replacing...

Edit: Also carry one more set of lights than I expect to need. That's one set in the middle of Summer (in case I end up having to stay late at work) and two in the Winter (in case one fails).

Anonymous

At work? Spare tube, spare lights (little cheapy flashers).

On bike (in a bottle storage thingy)
- multi tool with chain breaker
- spare tube
- tyre levers
- co2 and pump.
- quick links

Some times I ride with a backpack so I also carry
- repair kit
- sticky patches
- bigger multi tool
- another inner

I've blown the sidewall three times in 2 years (poor brake setup went through the tyre) but can't work out how to bodge with a tyre boot. If I did I'd put one in my bottle holder thingy.

elbowloh

Nothing in terms of spare bits, just a charger for my lights (exposure flash / flare) and usb ports for my secondary lights.

Spare tubes, levers, pump, spare quick link, multitool are on the bike or in my backpack. As Jamesco says, there's a lot of bike shops on the route or near work to pop out to at lunchtime.

cruff

bibshorts/tights (depending on whether it's winter/summer), jersey, base layer, High5

The rest (spare tubes, pump, quicklink, multi, tyre levers, chaintool etc) goes in jersey pockets/saddlebag (again, depending on winter/summer)

I work in the arse end of nowhere (Rochdale) so a trip to the LBS means Halfords... eurgh

slowbike

On the bike - 2 tubes and some of those instant patches - plus quicklinks, multitool, tyre boot (cut from old tyre) and a cable tie or two.

I used to have a spare tube and cheap trackpump at work - but never used them, so they're at home again. Don't bother with anything else as I could always take the bus or get a lift - plus a mate lives on my way home and he's got enough bikes & kit to run a bike shop - so I could always borrow a spare if needed.

dinyull

zebulebu wrote:

I work in the ars* end of nowhere (Rochdale) so a trip to the LBS means Halfords... eurgh

That's my problem. Despite having to walk through Gateshead town centre this morning there isn't a bike shop.

There's a bike shop about 20mins walk from work, which I'm going to at lunch time for some inner tubes so I can get home.

natrix

Pot pasta in case I forget my lunch. Flapjack in case my energy levels are low before heading home.

asprilla

Dinyull wrote:

zebulebu wrote:

I work in the ars* end of nowhere (Rochdale) so a trip to the LBS means Halfords... eurgh

That's my problem. Despite having to walk through Gateshead town centre this morning there isn't a bike shop.

There's a bike shop about 20mins walk from work, which I'm going to at lunch time for some inner tubes so I can get home.

I have to tale a trip to Halfords too. But given there is a door to the store directly from the bike parking, it's not a massive issue. Also, free servicing. If I'm feeling really lazy I can buy a tube and ask them to fit it.

I've not done that. Yet.

vimfuego

A couple of frozen blood bags and some vials of EPO

.... no wait, err I mean, always have at least 2 tubes with me on the bike (plus a repair kit & some patches as well as a quick link & multitool + electrical tape). Have traditionally just carried a mini pump (easy enough to get a good amount of air in to get you to your destination) but have recently also picked up a cheap CO2 inflator, plus have a track pump in my locker in the bike park at work - guess I'm lucky that we have decent-ish facilities. As above, I'm in C London so there are at least three bike shops in walkable distance for replacement tubes etc & they usually have a track pump on hand for general use if needed (once had to replace a tyre given a mahoosive gash that appeared right across the top of one that morning). Have also accumulated various cheap tools over the years when minor mechanicals have struck - cable cutters, pliers, various hex keys & wrenches, chain lube, bottle of GT85, electrical tape, spoke key, more spare tubes, spare undies (forget them once, never made that mistake again) spare brake pads etc But then I like to fettle & fix stuff myself. I reckon you could get away with very little if you can get to a bike shop easily enough though.

Pufftmw

Tube(s), repair kit, mini-pump & multi-tool go in my backpack. Sometimes zip-ties, electrical tape but I keep using for other stuff. The other thing is a couple of pairs of latex gloves - nothing worse than putting filthy hands in nice gloves.

At work I appear to have a tyre that came with a new wheel, couple pairs of socks and a spare pair of shoes - again nothing worse than having to get into wet shoes at the end of the day. Lucky enough to have a shower here, so change of clothes/jumper etc and I even have an iron/ironing board.

mtb-idle

Nothing. Oh hang on, <checks drawer> some rehydration tablets for those odd Summer days when I'm feeling really parched.

But I commute with a messenger style bag in which I carry:

• spare tube - always one brand new plus usually at least one other which has either been repaired or can be repaired in a push
• pump
• tyre lever(s)
• puncture repair kit
• 10sp quick/power link
• AA/AAA batteries for front & rear light
• chain tool
• multi-tool/allen keys

I'm also lucky enough to have a locker at work but only ever leave shoes, trousers, deodorant etc in there. No bike specific kit.

also tons of secure parking at work, circa 500 bikes in racks and the cycle rep has arranged for a track pump to be located there too which saves me stopping off at the local Ev*ns

tangled_metal

Spares at work? Cup of coffee to warm up and the knowledge I'm calling the lass to pick me up in the car.

On the road it's one inner tube and loads of repair patches, both pre-glued and simple rubber patches you glue on with the unopened glue tube. Pump and tyre levers a given. Allen keys for sizes I need them and a victorinix cyber tool. Spare front light ( front light number3). These are in the pannier.

prawny

I've got;
Spare socks and boxers.
2 inner tubes on the bike + 2 in my drawer at work
Batteries
Puncture repair kit
Toothbrush, toothpaste and razors
Numerous gels/tabs/drink sachets - all out of date but useable in a pinch - might have a gel tonight as I'm knackered.

I should get a spare tyre but I havn't got round to it yet.

y33stu

At work I usually have a weeks worth of clothes as I bring them in on a Monday, home again on a Friday. But I keep spares of pants and socks. Plus I keep a towel, hair wax, deodorant and light chargers.

On the bike, 1 tube (which at the moment is 3mm too small for my tyres) a repair kit (which I never use as I'm monumentally awful at patching tubes) multi tool, levers, pump, chain tool and pins (which won't work on the new commuting bike)

Perhaps a visit to Wiggle is in order. I'll be in the what you've just bought thread soon...

wolfsbane2k

at work: (no shops other than a cafe within walking distance at lunch)
- Clothes for the week as a minimum, towels, shower gel etc ( hangers, not lockers)
- Spare SS Cycling shirt
- Track pump (company owned)
- 2x inners
- old worn 700x23 tyre
- tube repair kit
- AA. AAA and CR2032 & CR2016 button batteries
- a basic 14 piece cycling tool box & hollowtech BB spanner (bought & shared between 5 in the office for a £5 a year "subscription to use" to get a key to the cage its' in in the bike shed

Also got access to a set of fully calibrated torque wrenches & socket set.

Going from today's rack bag
- 1 x multitool with chain breaker
- 1 x combined mini spanner & spoke key
- 1 x tube repair kit
- 1 x scissors
- 1 x basic first aid kit.
- 1 x set tyre boots
- 1 x each spare front and rear be seen battery powered lights.


In the saddle bag on each bike (26" 9sp mtb vs 700 c 10sp road)
- 1 x inner & tyre levers
- 2 x pair quicklinks
- 1 x spare rim tape
- 1 x mechanic gloves

Not sure why I keep the scissor with me, and a reminder I need to get more electrical tape and gaffer tape.

(being a scout has a life time effect... "be prepared"...)

imatfaal

erm...

Spare bike on turbo trainer
New frame hidden in boardroom cupboard
Wheels in cleaners cupboard
Groupset etc ready to go on above frame
Full tool kit
Work stand
Wet weather kit
Rack and Panniers

i think I am a little bit lucky in terms of space

navt

jamesco wrote:

Spares at work: underwear & a pair of socks in case I forget to bring them.

This. Nothing worse than pulling on a soggy pair of socks at the end of your work day. Underwear I am quite happy to go without

Everything else I carry on the bike.

But I work in central London - never more than a stone's throw away from a bike shop.

UndercoverElephant

Generally carry multitool, tubes, pump, couple of quid in coins and a torch in case I have a light failure.

At work?

• Tubes
• Track pump
• Pedal spanner
• Allen keys
• Bike grease
• Ein Englander (adjustable spanner)
• Selection of bolts, screw and mudguard bits
• GT85
• De-greaser
• Cone spanners
• Loose ball bearings
• Hacksaw
• Loads of clothes
• Screwdrivers
• Torx screwdrivers
• Folding bike, just in case

I think I need a bigger desk.

redvee

In work I have charging cables for lights/phone, luckily there are days when I have access to a PC with USB ports to charge lights should I need to. No bike spares are kept in work but a couple of tubes are in the saddle bag in the pannier and a few more tubes in the pannier just in case I'm very unlucky. I do keep several pairs of socks/boxers in my locker just in case I forget my boxers or I get caught out by a quick downpour.

essex-commuter

Work
Spare pants & socks in case I forget to bring in
Light charger
Sun cream (doesn't get used much!)
Trousers and shirts (replenished once a week)
Shower gel, deodorant towel, hair wax, toothpaste & brush, shoes

On bike
2 spare tubes
Mini pump
C02 canister
Tyre levers
Surgical gloves
Couple of zip ties
Multi tool
Mobile phone
Wallet
Security passes
Bone conduction headphones
Maybe some food if I can be bothered

Ben6899

Ground coffee and paracetamol.

tangled_metal

imatfaal wrote:

erm...

Spare bike on turbo trainer
New frame hidden in boardroom cupboard
Wheels in cleaners cupboard
Groupset etc ready to go on above frame
Full tool kit
Work stand
Wet weather kit
Rack and Panniers

i think I am a little bit lucky in terms of space

You're the boss then? Spare anything of mine in the boardroom and it's binned within minutes of the bosses coming in. Happened to bags left in the canteen. One warning then a bunch of guys climbing into a large waste skip for personal belongings. No mercy!

mtb-idle

Ben6899 wrote:

Ground coffee and paracetamol.

I like your lateral thinking. Paracetamol and ibuprofen here too.

rick_chasey

No-one's gonna own up to their desk being like this?

dinyull

Apart from Tyson Fury, last week.

mtb-idle

Rick Chasey wrote:

No-one's gonna own up to their desk being like this?

Mine's more like this