Commuting - What's in your tool kit?

The bum bag that I use to hold my tool kit was getting a bit overweight, it topped out this week at a whopping 2 1/2 pounds. After emptying it out, discovered the following:
• 4 tire irons
• 2 CO2 cartridges and inflator
• 1 Topeak Alien
• 2 patch kits
• 1 mini bottle Purell
• 1 Mag (2xAA) flashlight
• 1 15mm PB wrench (ride a fix)
• 9 quarters (in case I forget both Metrocard and cell phone)
• 2 Hibistat first aid wipes
• 1 asthma inhaler

In all honestly, only need less than a third of all this stuff and should probably get a smaller bum bag to encourage more frugal choices. I will be reducing duplication and converting to lighter versions of the essentials but before I throw the baby out with the bathwater, was wondering what other people consider to be the absolute bare minimum tool kit for a commute.

Everything I need to change a tire plus some:

1 tube
Roll of rim tape
Patch kit (a few patches, some sandpaper, and a small tube of glue, wrapped up in latex gloves)
Key of 4 Allen wrenches (all I need to tweak every bolt on my bike)
Gerber multi-tool
3 small metal tire irons (I've broken too many plastic ones to trust them)
Spoke wrench
Chain tool
Small rag
Small LED flash light
Several zip-ties

Frame pump under the top tube

1 tube... sometimes 2 tubes but I just switched to my summer wheels and need another spare tube.
1 Patch kit
1 Multi tool
Set of 3 tire levers
Extra chain link
3 zip ties
1 roll of electrical tape.

All this fits into a small section of my rack trunk bag and maybe weighs a pound (if that)

Tube
Patches (park tool glueless)
sandpaper
Park Tool MTB-3 multi
3 links of chain and one SRAM powerlink
Blackburn Mountain Air

This

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0114.jpg

Granted this is my mountain bike kit and I don't necessarily carry it everyday but sometimes...

I use a caradice nelson longflap bag.

this seems like alot to some Im sure But my commute is 19 miles if I take the MUP and about 2 miles are locked in by water on both sides and many sections are in the middle of no where so I like to be prepaired.

side pocket #1

cable lock, spare blinkie, first aid kit, small LED light


side pocket #2

1) 6" ADJUSTABLE with electric tape wrapped on handle (in case I need tape)

2) Serfas multi tool with chain /spoke tool

3) 5 4 3 mm allen wrenches

4) tube

5) large patch kit

6) shimano pins (my chain) sram quick links for others (good samaritan)

7) 3 tire levers

8) 2 co2 cartridge with head

9) swiss army knife

10) cable ties 3 or 4

11) 4 or 5 quarters

thats it

I also carry a blackburn mini pump but its strapped to my bag.

"John"

1 CO2 cart
1 tube
small patch kit
Multi-tool

I carry a spare tube in my backpack along with a mini-pump. If all else fails I have my cell phone. :D

http://rykoala.org/ryko/gear.html

Holy crap, some of you people carry a lot of stuff. But then again, my commute's only an 11 mile round trip.

2 titanium tire levers
2 spare tubes
1 patch kit
multi tool
mini pump

One set of tire levers.
Two spare tubes.
One set of allen wrenches.
One bike pump

I also typically carry a pocket knife and a flashlight, but they are not in my tool kit per say.

1 tube
1 patch kit
2 plastic tire levers
Park MT-1 multi tool (weighs 53g)http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=11&item=MT%2D1
Spokey plastic spoke wrench
Chain tool
Presta to Schrader valve adaptor
1 shop rag
$5 bill
2 quarters
Xerox copy of my driver's lisence and medical insurance card

...carried in a generic REI seat bag

Topeak road morph pump on the frame

No tool kit. My philosophy is to make sure the bike is relaible enough that I am unlikely to need one. Since I commute in an urban area with lots of taxis around, this works.

Paul

a gun.


j/k. lol

For commuting:

patch kit
Pedro's tire levers
spare tube
generic multi-tool
Leatherman Mini
Topeak Mini-morph

When pillaging:

Topeak Mountian Morph
spare tube
Craftsman strap wrench
mylar blanket
patch kit
Pedro's tire levers
flat roll of Duck Tape
Leatherman Juice
Rav-x multi-tool
Craftsman stubby combo/ratchet 15mm wrench
Craftsman 10mm wrench
small pedal wrench
pair of latex gloves
travel bottle of Gojo hand cleaner
bandaids
antiseptic pads
paper towels
assorted zip-ties
few feet of paracord
spare blinkies

Everything except the pump,tube,and strap wrench fit into a zippered neoprene bag about the size of a paperback. I carry more crap when out with my friends because they usually wind up needing it.

Xerox copy of my driver's lisence and medical insurance card


Wow, that is a fantastic idea! I just made a copy of those along with a copy of an advanced medical directive I carry and stuffed it in my seat bag. THANKS!!!!!

My commute pack is my ride pack for weekend/recreational rides, so it's a fit-all.

Front pouch on my backpack:

Leatherman multi-tool
Spare tube
2 repair kits (good mix of patches/sandpaper/glue)
2x plastic tyre irons
3x metal tyre irons
few cable ties
quarters
dollar store allen key tool - covers most bolts on the bike
multi ring-wrench - used for brake nuts, wheel nuts, etc.
spare AAs and 2x spare Cs for my lights (one of my rear lights take AAAs, but my main is a double AA setup).
Spare back light - they're a $7 6-function LED blinky - I use one on the bike in solid mode along with a schwinn on blinky from Canadian Tire.
edit: spare dust caps, not that these are imperative, it's handy - and they came as part of a repair kit I got from Canadian Tire.

I'm not sure what else is in there right now, I've not looked in a long time.

One of my biggest problems right now is that I rely on being local to a gas station for flats - I've no portable pump (I use a regular footpump) - so I need to look into getting a top-tube or an easily/good portable solution. On long hauls, I can pack the footpump (single barrel, not so bulky in a backpack) but on my commute I don't bother.

3 tire levers
1 frame pump
1 patch kit
2 spare tubes
1 multi-tool
1 spare link
1 FiberFix emergency spoke
1 small roll duct tape
3 zip ties
2 spare AAA batteries

1 tube, 1 patchkit, 1 leatherman (the heavy part), 3 tire levers (spooned together) and a folding hex-wrench thingy. I have to look more closely at my new ride but if it is all hex, no phillips-head, the leatherman will be walking from here onwards...

edit-> oh yeah, frame pump on the seat tube, but the rest is in a wedge bag under the seat.

Topeak Mini-9, 3-way, chain tool, small section of chain, AA, AAA batteries(two each), spoke wrench, zip ties, small side cutters, patch kit and a Leatherman. Patch kit is for others as I've gone airless recently.

3 tire levers
spare tube
first aid kit
multi-tool
15 mm wrench
Topeak road morph

The last three items aren't actually in the kit, but I carry them with it.

3 tire levers
1/2 dozen glueless patches
foldable allen wrench set
foldable screwdriver set
digital air pressure gauge
spoke wrench
indelible magic marker

wow, from the uber-minimalist to the kitchen sink.

I take:
1 tube (keep wanting to leave it home though)
1 plastic tire lever
multitool (with chain tool)
patch kit
usually have a pocket knife as well

cell phone
wallet

This is what's in mine. Except for the frame mounted pump that is.
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6185/intownpackot1.jpg

Raiyn, you carry *glueless* patches? I tried those. They refused to hold at high PSI.

Raiyn, you carry *glueless* patches? I tried those. They refused to hold at high PSI.
I sure do. I follow the same procedure as I would with a glued patch and they work fine @ 80-85 PSI. It's not a permanent solution, (although one I put on my girlfriend's tube lasted 2 years until the valve itself failed) but it's better than nothing.

Ranking from the mostly used:
pump, multitool, tire lever, spare tube, patch kit

I need spare tube twice, and patch kit only once
other than those tools, one thing that most useful recently is my rain coat !!! yes it rains here in indonesia

FOR THE BIKE:

* minipump
* spare tube
* patch kit
* three tire irons
* adjustable wrench
* set of allen keys
* chainbreaker
* J-cloth
* a small bottle of bike lube
* zip ties

FOR ME

* first aid kit
* a couple of quarters
* a ten-dollar bill
* some emergency snacks: powerbar, sugar cubes

Now if only I didn't forget to take it with me most of the time. *blush*

And I definitely need to add duct tape. And maybe a pair of dry socks, just in case... :)

...was wondering what other people consider to be the absolute bare minimum tool kit for a commute.
This is the tool bag I carry for commuting or day trips. Pump is mounted on bike.

1. Small pump
2. Spare tube
3. Patch kit
4. Alien multi tool
5. Stubby combo wrench
6. Cresent wrench
7. Tire boot
8. 35mm film canister containing: (extra quick link, extra nuts or bolts, and 2 zip ties)
9. Hand wipe in a cachet
10. Card with emergency contact and medical information
11. Some cash
12. Two tire levers

All stuffed in an old airline travel amenities case. I don't remember which airline. They forgot to print the logo on it. All it says is "SKYTEAM - Caring more about you". Probably Allegeny.

For those who carry a whooolllotta stuff - is it all really justified? Do you get flats that often? Do you need to take apart your chain that much? Screw stuff together again? Tighten bolts? How far do you ride?

It just seems a bit excessive. Stuff for patching and pumping, fair enough. Maybe a few more bits if you're riding long distance or through rough terrain.

But really, isn't a lot of this just the fun of gadgetry? I really don't understand the need for those with massive amounts of crap you should almost *never* use. And the very few times you must use it, is it really worth it to bring that with you every time you ride?

I carry nothing but my keys, wallet, and a spare J just in case.

For commuting:

patch kit
Pedro's tire levers
spare tube
generic multi-tool
Leatherman Mini
Topeak Mini-morph

When pillaging:

Topeak Mountian Morph
spare tube
Craftsman strap wrench
mylar blanket
patch kit
Pedro's tire levers
flat roll of Duck Tape
Leatherman Juice
Rav-x multi-tool
Craftsman stubby combo/ratchet 15mm wrench
Craftsman 10mm wrench
small pedal wrench
pair of latex gloves
travel bottle of Gojo hand cleaner
bandaids
antiseptic pads
paper towels
assorted zip-ties
few feet of paracord
spare blinkies

Everything except the pump,tube,and strap wrench fit into a zippered neoprene bag about the size of a paperback. I carry more crap when out with my friends because they usually wind up needing it.
Now that's an example of something reasonable.

+ points for the Duck Tape when touring.

My essential rule of travelling: always carry rope.

pillaging :lol:

I donno if I qualify as someone who carries a whooolllotta stuff. :) But I probably carry more than many people (when I don't forget the bag entirely). So to answer the question.


For those who carry a whooolllotta stuff - is it all really justified? Do you get flats that often? I'm not supposed to answer that question - the flats gods don't like it when you say "I hardly get any flats". :D But you say yourself if you're going to carry something, it should be flat-fixing stuff.


Do you need to take apart your chain that much? No. Never broke a chain on a ride. I'm mostly a spinner anyhow so I treat my drivetrain pretty gently. :) But I have a really tiny chainbreaker that weighs very little and takes up really little space. So what the hell. You never know. Granted, with a philosophy like this I should also carry an emergency replacement spoke since spokes probably break more often than chains. Something to add to the list. :D


Screw stuff together again? Tighten bolts? Yes, actually, I tighten quite a bit of bolts. I strap a lot to my rack and Toronto has a lot of potholes, so I find myself with loose rack bolts quite frequently. Maybe I should replace bolts/rack, or maybe the eyelets are already messed up... I don't know. But I was quite happy on quite a few occasions when I needed to tighten bolts, especially for that rack. I need that rack!

Then there is the 1st aid kit. Again, weighs next to nothing, and can come in quite handy. As a CAN-BIKE instructor I'm required to have it at all times when teaching anyway. Bike lube: I added this to the list after setting out in the morning in a real rush and forgetting to lube a dry chain. The squeaking almost damaged my hearing! :D Zip-ties: came in handy many times in most unexpected ways. Emergency money and snacks - this is a recent addition, 'cause I did get kind of unhappily stuck a couple of times with a mechanical problem I couldn't fix, no money to take transit and no money to call. Kinda sucks.

I used to carry a multitool, but I did find that I really never used it, so I stopped carrying it.

It just seems a bit excessive. Stuff for patching and pumping, fair enough. Maybe a few more bits if you're riding long distance or through rough terrain.

But really, isn't a lot of this just the fun of gadgetry? I really don't understand the need for those with massive amounts of crap you should almost *never* use. And the very few times you must use it, is it really worth it to bring that with you every time you ride?

I carry nothing but my keys, wallet, and a spare J just in case.
Excessive? What's it cost to carry a little peace of mind? Maybe excessive for weight wienies. Perhaps excessive for those who don't mind walking for miles/kilometers with a bike that could have been fixed in place or could hop on a readily available bus/tram at every corner with their bike.
Excessive only in the sense that carrying fenders, bike racks, lights, etc. are excessive if not "needed" for the specific ride.

For those who carry a whooolllotta stuff - is it all really justified? Do you get flats that often? Do you need to take apart your chain that much? Screw stuff together again? Tighten bolts? How far do you ride?

It just seems a bit excessive. Stuff for patching and pumping, fair enough. Maybe a few more bits if you're riding long distance or through rough terrain.

But really, isn't a lot of this just the fun of gadgetry? I really don't understand the need for those with massive amounts of crap you should almost *never* use. And the very few times you must use it, is it really worth it to bring that with you every time you ride?

I carry nothing but my keys, wallet, and a spare J just in case.

I'd say that 90% of my riding mileage is done while commuting. If a problem is going to develop, it's going to develop while commuting. My kit is a little over the top and I do also have a smaller pack for road riding but I do mountain bike while on the way to and from work and all that stuff has come in handy at some time. Personally, I don't know how anyone could go for a ride further than around the block with out at lest an allen wrench in their pocket.

For example, I do something to the bike at home the night before riding, like retape the bars or adjust the headset. It's dark when I'm done and I don't have time to take it out to check the stem or shifter alignment. I make the adjustments on the way to work. It takes a second but I can't do it without a wrench.

Or I have different shoes for different times of year. Right now, my seatpost needs adjustment nearly every ride depending on temperature. My winter shoes are slightly thicker than my summer shoes so I need to adjust the height a little. One day I might still need shoe covers (and the winter shoes) and another I don't.

Look at the picture of my kit again.

The allen wrench kit (from which the 5 and 6 mm keys have since been removed) has all the sizes needed for adjusting clipless pedals, brake cables, water bottle cages, rack bolts, etc.

The toe strap is handy for holding stuff if I need both hands free.

The double headed allen wrench is perhaps the most useful item I carry and the most used. It's a 5/6 allen wrench that fits most of the important bolts.

2 tubes. One is a 26" while the other is a 700C because I ride either road bikes or mountain bikes.

A small pack to keep all the stuff together

Zip ties. They are handy for all kinds of stuff and are there mainly because this is also my mountain bike tool kit.

Shock pump. Ditto

Tire levers (they nest together) because why carry a tube if you can't get the tire off?

Tire gauge. Proper pressure prevents pinch flats.

A light. Because last summer I got caught out on a trail after dark and it's not an experience I want to repeat.

Extra master links (in the bag) because I've needed them

A small pair of folding pliers to hold cables while I tighten them. It includes a flat blade screw driver which is handy.

Spoke wrench. I also tour with this kit and that has come in handy. I've also broken spokes so I can reduce tension around the broken spoke and have a reasonably rideable wheel.

Duct tape. Never used it. Probably never will but you never know.

Patch kit. Essential. We have goatheads everywhere here. I wouldn't ride without one.

Small zipties. When all else fails, zip ties will get you home;)

16 penny nail. Handy as a punch for tightening lock rings and other stuff. With a rock, it can be used to apply force where needed.

Some spare nuts and bolts.

A pair of scissors. Comes in handy when you have fiberous stuff wrapped around a hub or cassette.

Hypercracker next to the scissors to remove the cassette for replacing spokes (Touring kit)

CoolTool for all kinds of stuff.


I don't use all this stuff every day. I have used it in the past. About the only thing I've never needed is the duct tape.

Everything that I carry is there for a very specific reason. I have needed pretty much everything on my Park multi-tool except for some of the uber-tiny allens and the torx driver. I've even needed the chain breaker on the road.

Park tool glueless patches work just as well as those craptastic orange and black ones with rubber cement. As long as you get the talc off of the tire and scuff it, I've had nothing but good luck with them. I have two tires that sit at 85 PSI with a mix-match of different kinds of patches. The spare tube that I have in my commuter's seatbag has a park patch on it too. They hold just fine.

I also carry some little bungees and whatnot in my handlebar bag, but those are more for strapping stuff down to my rack than anything, but I did bungee my front wheel into place around the fork so that I could lean my bike against a wall without worrying about it rolling, to work on the chain.

I'm pretty much of the opinion that if someone really wants to carry something and it's your idea of "too much stuff" it's not really any of your business anyways.

You should see the list of stuff CommuterDude keeps with him. Granted, he's a randonneur on the weekends, but not only does he carry a bunch of stuff, he could tell you why, on a cold brevet in 2002, he wished he would have had everything he has with him now, and why he's lucky to be alive.

Thanks for sharing, this has all been rather enlightening. I've distilled my commuting essentials down to an mimimalist 500 grams, including the water bottle that I'm using in place of the bum bag. I can always hop on the subway and then cab it for the last three miles in the event of a catrostrophic breakdown.

Inventory is now:
• 1 CO2 + inflator
• 1 tire iron (not ready to give it up yet, despite what Team Estrogen thinks about not needing a lever. http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp)
• 4 allen keys (the four sizes that I've actually used in the last six months)
• 1 patch kit
• 1 15mm PB wrench
• 1 15ml Purel (contemplating GoJo)
• 1 Hibistat

cell phone, medical card, credit card, bank card, metrocard go in my pocket.

All of this fits neatly into a large mouth water bottle. Don't think 500 grams qualifies as über-minimalist but it's a darn site better than the 2 ½ pounds I was lugging around previously.

I've also come to the conculsion that my newly slimmed down commuter kit isn't going to cut it on a club ride or a century, re-thinking my inventory for long rides far away from the civilized streets of Manhattan.

1 tube
1 patch kit
speed lever tire lever
topeak alien II
5mm allen
metrocard
cigar cutter (for cigars, but you never know what might need a quick clip)
cigar lighter/punch
batteries (AA/AAA)
zip ties (5 or 6)
topeak mountain morph

I admit I live in cycling utopia, and I wouldn't expect you here to have it as easy as me. But then I recall all my riding in other countries as well, and still I didn't carry nearly that much for my regular daily riding. Stuff for flats, a couple allen keys, and that's the lot.

Sucks for those who do have to deal with really crappy roads, my sympathies. I'm not saying all that stuff is useless. But hoo boy, there are a few wacko implements in some of those lists.


Excessive? What's it cost to carry a little peace of mind?

I like the excitement of not having peace of mind :) I'm not sure if you appreciate what it costs to have peace of mind.

This is my general approach to life. I had my bank manager laughing in confusion when I gave him this reason to explain why I don't want breakdown coverage for my car. I will get more excitement from whatever shenanigans happen if I'm broken down somewhere with nothing than if I get everything in my life done exactly according to plan.

I don't know if I qualified as one of the excessive ones. I don't have QR, so I need the two wrenches. And I've had a seat post bolt snap so I carry an extra bolts incase. The odds of that happening again are probably astronomical; but I think if I've had a malfunction before while riding, then I'll carry back up or remedy. Providing of course it isn't too bulky.

I have needed pretty much everything on my Park multi-tool except for some of the uber-tiny allens I've used those. :) My lock uses tiny allen bolts to hold a keyhole cover, and they do come loose after the jarring I subject the lock to on every ride.

^^Same here, my fender mounts use the little allen keys, as does the shifter on my handlebars. Haven't had to adjust my shifter, but I have had to tweak my fenders now and again.

Patch kit
2x metal lever
small multi allen key set w/ flat and phillips screw drivers
3 & 5 mm full size allen key
head light (main lighting dynamo only)
spoke tool (mainly because I only true my wheels at work)
pump


I used to carry more, but eventually realised I wasn't using some of it.
Things I culled:

Spare tube (have tire liners + kevlar)
Chain tool
links
Hyper cracker
spare spokes zip tied on frame

edit: I also used to carry a spare replaceable rear der. hanger. I would totally recommend this when on tour, specially with a touring drivetrain.

3 tire levers
1 frame pump
1 patch kit
2 spare tubes
1 multi-tool
1 spare link
1 FiberFix emergency spoke 1 small roll duct tape
3 zip ties
2 spare AAA batteries

Is that this emergency spoke replacement kit (http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=19239) ? How well does it work? I assume it's meant to allow you to limp to a repair shop.

Edit: Just realized how old this thread is! It's aliiive...

For commuting:
2 metal tyre levers
1 tube
pump
1 set of glueless patches (which I hope never to use, I despise patching tubes)
phillips head screwdriver
shifter
set of allen keys
roll of gaffa tape (amazing how often I use that...)

I'll shortly be adding a multitool. I'm paranoid about my chain breaking some day.

Steve

One observation that I can make is that I change tires without the use of tire irons. With just my fingers and a little practice, I can pop the tire on and off without the need for those things.

I don't carry a patch kit, but I carry 2 spare tubes.

Me too, at least on my old mtb. I occasionally used a bottle opener on my keyring. I carry them around partially in case I need to help someone else.

Steve

Park Multi-tool
Leatherman
patch kit
pump & CO2
Chain Tool
Spare chain links
U lock
spare Flasher
purell
rag
i think that's about it.

pump,
two levers
alien multi tool
2 tubes

car wreck kit
sharpie for writing a plate number on my hand
pen
disposable 35mm camera in plastic
roll of cling gauze
5 4x4s
a quikclot dressing

Spare tube
Glueless patch kit
Small hand pump
Topeak Hexus (with tire levers and chain tool)
Spare chain links
Latex gloves (for working on the chain)
Antiseptic wipes (also good for cleaning hands)
$20 bill
Cell phone
Wallet with ID, medical insurance card, and credit card.
House keys with small swiss army knife.

Most of my riding is commuting to and from work, 10 miles each way.

pump, patchkit (levers, patches, glue, sandpaper), multi-hexkey (http://www.acetoolonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BON-12592&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase), and uh leatherman (http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/retired-tools/pst/default.asp).