What do you carry with you on every ride?

gcwebbyuk · January 2015

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?

Tjgoodhew · January 2015

On top of that:

Some food or a gel. 9/10 times it comes back with me uneaten but you never know when the hunger knock will get you.
Some cash for emergencies
ID

gcwebbyuk · January 2015

Ah yes, I forgot food - but that would go in my Tri-Bag I have on the top tube, along with phone and wallet. Was more thinking of tools/emergency kit etc.

JackPozzi · January 2015

Chain link tool (if there's not one on the multi-tool) - Lesson learnt after an unfortunate incident some years back

lostboysaint · January 2015

gcwebbyuk wrote:

Ah yes, I forgot food - but that would go in my Tri-Bag I have on the top tube, along with phone and wallet. Was more thinking of tools/emergency kit etc.

You riding a tourer? The list of stuff you need (which is yours + an energy bar/food, a £10 or £20 note and your phone) can all go in your jersey pockets or in a decent undersaddle bag.

gcwebbyuk · January 2015

It's only a little bag...
http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/TriBag

lostboysaint · January 2015

That's the cycling equivalent of a man-bag! Just get the stuff in your jersey pockets!

gcwebbyuk · January 2015

Oh, I have one of them too

The tri-bag has come in handy while on my turbo trainer, but agree it is probably a bit o.t.t. for the road...

Dippydog3 · January 2015

JackPozzi wrote:

Chain link tool (if there's not one on the multi-tool) - Lesson learnt after an unfortunate incident some years back

I used to do that as well, which is a pain as they arent small.

Then someone told me how to pull the chain around the bottom of the chainring so a one link triangle is formed on top. Tap it with a multi tool and it comes apart. Even if its an eleven speed one.

ben@31 · January 2015

Mobile phone. Fully charged. And with maps.
Money
Jelly Babies (i'm powered by them)
Mini CO2 cylinder tyre inflator
Puncture repair kit
Inner tube
Sometimes a multi-tool

This time of the year...
Balaclava
Glasses
Reflectives
Front and rear light, always fully charged after every ride, fitted to bike 24/7

Wearing winter gloves rather than mitts. Soft shell jacket over long sleeve winter jersey. Full length bib tights. Merino wool socks. Neoprine overshoe covers. Buff around neck or balaclava.

*Note, Despite carrying the puncture repair kit, my Ultremo tyres are a B*****d to change on my campag wheels inside a nice warm well illuminated house, so I don't fancy my chances changing them in the dark and poor weather and with cold numb hands. I will phone for a taxi instead.

Dippydog3 · January 2015

Your list is almost the same as mine.
No chain tool as above.
I dont bother with a puncture kit, just a couple of those slap on patches instead.
The multitool has tyre levers built in but I never use them. Learn to get the tyre off and on with your hands only.
And a pair of disposable latex gloves.
And a Leatherman Squirt PS4. If I do puncture around here its normally a very small sharp stone and they can be a devil to get out of the tyre.

gcwebbyuk · January 2015

My current multi-tool is a Specialized EMT - so has a mini chain device built in. I forgot to mention a couple of spare chain links (was carrying 9-speed SRAM powerlinks for MTB, but will get some 11-speed KMC links for the road bike).

I also had an el-cheapo Tesco's equivalent to a Leatherman, but it weighs probably more than the rest of my kit put together, will probably leave that one behind.

meanredspider · January 2015

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.

Gasperoni · January 2015

Same as you +food, £20 for emergencies in its own plastic bag, between £5 and £20 (in notes) spends if I ever fancy stopping off for a coffee and cake maybe, my phone (which is my bike computer anyway) and some disposable gloves.

JackPozzi · January 2015

Dippydog3 wrote:

JackPozzi wrote:

Chain link tool (if there's not one on the multi-tool) - Lesson learnt after an unfortunate incident some years back

I used to do that as well, which is a pain as they arent small.

Then someone told me how to pull the chain around the bottom of the chainring so a one link triangle is formed on top. Tap it with a multi tool and it comes apart. Even if its an eleven speed one.

I've just got a cheap one that came in a basic tool kit I bought when I started riding (Topeak I think), does the job and dismantles into pieces that are fairly easy to slot into a seatpack.

Intrigued by the chainring trick though, can't quite picture it, will have to have a play in the shed tomorrow...

Dippydog3 · January 2015

JackPozzi wrote:

Dippydog3 wrote:

JackPozzi wrote:

Chain link tool (if there's not one on the multi-tool) - Lesson learnt after an unfortunate incident some years back

I used to do that as well, which is a pain as they arent small.

Then someone told me how to pull the chain around the bottom of the chainring so a one link triangle is formed on top. Tap it with a multi tool and it comes apart. Even if its an eleven speed one.

I've just got a cheap one that came in a basic tool kit I bought when I started riding (Topeak I think), does the job and dismantles into pieces that are fairly easy to slot into a seatpack.

Intrigued by the chainring trick though, can't quite picture it, will have to have a play in the shed tomorrow...

This pictures it for you.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf

JackPozzi · January 2015

Dippydog3 wrote:

JackPozzi wrote:

Dippydog3 wrote:

JackPozzi wrote:

Chain link tool (if there's not one on the multi-tool) - Lesson learnt after an unfortunate incident some years back

I used to do that as well, which is a pain as they arent small.

Then someone told me how to pull the chain around the bottom of the chainring so a one link triangle is formed on top. Tap it with a multi tool and it comes apart. Even if its an eleven speed one.

I've just got a cheap one that came in a basic tool kit I bought when I started riding (Topeak I think), does the job and dismantles into pieces that are fairly easy to slot into a seatpack.

Intrigued by the chainring trick though, can't quite picture it, will have to have a play in the shed tomorrow...

This pictures it for you.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf

Thanks for the link, looks like it's only for getting quick links open though? I carry the chain tool in case a normal link gets churned up, so I can remove the damaged link and replace or just make do with a slightly shorter chain to get home.

Dippydog3 · January 2015

Sorry, I thought you meant quick links. Absolutely need a chain tool and a quicklink. Good multitools all have them.

dj58 · January 2015

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13003279

dj58 · January 2015

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13003279

bikes`n`guns · January 2015

Topeak mini tool
Tube
Co2 inflater
two tyre levers
phone
cash
food.

All in pockets. I`m not hanging a bag off my artwork saddle.

macleod113 · January 2015

i take with me in my jersey;

2 tubes, pump, co2 pump and a spare cannister, 2 tyre levers, multitool, 2 medium flapjacks, phone, debit card and a tenner normally just in case.
on longer rides i normally stop at a supermarket and top up my bottles.

all fits ok in my rear pockets.

if the weather is changeable i can normally stuff a gilet in a pocket too

telesv650 · January 2015

Mobile phone
Cash
Water
Inner tube
Tire levers
Screwdriver
Adjustable spanner
Cable ties
Pump
Water bottle

Rodrego Hernandez · January 2015

3 tubes
Lezyne minitool
Quick link chain fixer
3 Co2
Tyre boot
Plastic gloves
On group rides will take a universal rear hanger replacement
Stored in bottle cage.

holiver · January 2015

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.

Chunky101 · January 2015

1x tube
1x self adhesive patch pack
1x multi tool with 1x cleat bolt, 2x cable tie, 1x chain link, £20 note stuffed in
1x tyre lever
1x compact pump
2x CO2 shells and 1x valve
2x latex gloves with the above stuffed in (keeps hands clean and a valuable backup if temps drop below zero)
Energy bar and gels
1x more energy bar and gel than I think I'll need

Frank Wilson · January 2015

How many more times is this topic going to surface.

mpatts · January 2015

Nothing bar a winning smile and a certain joi de vivre.

ben@31 · January 2015

Frank Wilson wrote:

How many more times is this topic going to surface.

Surely there is a limit to how much you can discuss about a bike. Then you have to go back to old topics eventually. You might even find technology / ideas have evolved since the last time.

Don't like the thread? Don't open it.

dj58 · February 2015

JackPozzi wrote:

Dippydog3 wrote:

JackPozzi wrote:

Chain link tool (if there's not one on the multi-tool) - Lesson learnt after an unfortunate incident some years back

I used to do that as well, which is a pain as they arent small.

Then someone told me how to pull the chain around the bottom of the chainring so a one link triangle is formed on top. Tap it with a multi tool and it comes apart. Even if its an eleven speed one.

I've just got a cheap one that came in a basic tool kit I bought when I started riding (Topeak I think), does the job and dismantles into pieces that are fairly easy to slot into a seatpack.

Intrigued by the chainring trick though, can't quite picture it, will have to have a play in the shed tomorrow...

This http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf

Philly8mt · February 2015

About twenty pounds of excess fat

What do you carry with you on every ride?

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