Since I don't have any cycling buddies... :rolleyes:
I was wondering what kind of equipment you take along for possible repairs on your road bike. Before, on my mountain bike, I would have my camelbak to hold everything (spare tube, multi tool, pump, water, etc). I've since gotten used to not wearing my camelbak commuting to work and do not want to wear it for long or short rides.
Now that I have my road bike, I've been wondering how to carry all the necessities. Do I really need everything I think I need? If you're going out for a 30-50 mile ride, what would you carry and how?
Here is what I think I need:
Cell
ID
Two bottles of water/gaterade
spare tube
pump
multi tool
patch kit
food (2 or 3 energy bars)
Should I trim my list? Did I forget anything, like the kitchen sink? Would an under seat pouch hold everything? Except for my pump (Topeak Road Morph), if I purchase a large enough seat pouch, it should hold. I really like my pump, I can't find a good place to mount it... maybe I should have gone for a CO2 system to save on space.
gr@sshopper
07-06-07, 10:59 PM
I do 45-50 miles miles with
2 bottles,
a tool,
a tube and a patch kit
CO2,
a gel, or a bar.
Everything goes in a seat bag, or a jersey pocket.
Jaguar27
07-06-07, 11:15 PM
Yikes...you look much too young to be riding long distances on your own, I do like those red Wheels though...
Co2 is the way to go in my opinion...a Cell phone is essential of course, plus I have the # of a local Taxi service programed into my phone just in case...hope the Cab that picks me up has a Bike rack...
By the way, if you fill your Tire with Co2 deflate the Tire and re-inflate with real Air as soon as you get home because Co2 leaks out over a few Days...
I always slow down and ask People if they have everything they need if I see someone stuck at the side of the Road...
JustMe
07-06-07, 11:17 PM
Likewise, but I only carry 1 bottle unless I know I'm going to be in an area where access to water is sparce. Otherwise water fountains in parks or public areas, fast food restaurants, or bottled at a market for refil. A gel or 2, bar, cubes, my personal pref is raisins; more bang for the buck. A micro seat bag can carry the necessary CO2, patch kit, tool & spare cartridge. Throw the tube in a pocket with gel etc. and an extra baggie of drink mix if you like, cell phone and iPod, your off.
DaveSANYYZ
07-06-07, 11:22 PM
For me, I don't like hard or heavy stuff in my jersey pocket, so:
- cash, credit card, id and health card in ziplock bag in jersey pocket
- multi-tool, patch kit, 1 or 2 spare tube, a bar or gel and keys in saddle bag
- phone, one gel and cleat covers in bento box
- 2 large bottles and a pump on the bike
My bike is also too small for a road morph, so I have a smaller mini pump that can be attached beside a bottle cage. It sucks, but at least I can get my tires to an acceptable 80-90 psi without too much effort.
jwsel
07-06-07, 11:43 PM
cash, credit card, id and health card in ziplock bag in jersey pocket
You're the first person who mentioned a health card. That is a definite necessity.
efficiency
07-07-07, 12:13 AM
By the way, if you fill your Tire with Co2 deflate the Tire and re-inflate with real Air as soon as you get home because Co2 leaks out over a few Days...
Tubes do not make fully airtight seal ever. Even if you inflated with "real air" it would leak out over a few days. It's more noticeable on narrower tires (less total air volume). I check pressure and re-inflate before every ride.
Nobody carries tire levers?
I also carry a rag to clean my hands.
ovoleg
07-07-07, 12:17 AM
2 co2 cartridges
patch kit
1 tube
1 multitool thingy with 2 tire levers
1 water bottle
That does me well...
ClanLee
07-07-07, 12:38 AM
You're the first person who mentioned a health card. That is a definite necessity.
One thing I carry with me at all time is a copy of my EKG. I have what is called a "normal variant". I'm 35 w/o any heart problems... however, if I were rolled into the ER and they took an EKG, the MDs would think that I had a heart attack!
So my wonderful topeak road morph might do garage duty. Seems that if I want to save space, I'll have to get CO2.
dddave
07-07-07, 01:18 AM
i take my chrome bag with me on all my rides. it holds my wallet, phone, clif bars, tire irons, tubes, anything i might need. plus i can put stuff in it if i buy anything.
Grumpy Pig
07-07-07, 07:49 AM
You're the first person who mentioned a health card. That is a definite necessity.
Why? I've heard that mentioned before but never had a problem being treated. I even took a helicopter ride once and nobody asked for my card.
DScott
07-07-07, 10:58 AM
One thing I carry with me at all time is a copy of my EKG. I have what is called a "normal variant". I'm 35 w/o any heart problems... however, if I were rolled into the ER and they took an EKG, the MDs would think that I had a heart attack!
So my wonderful topeak road morph might do garage duty. Seems that if I want to save space, I'll have to get CO2.
The RoadMorph fits nicely under the top tube, though it's a big one all right!
For the health issues, I'd consider a Medic-Alert bracelet, or even better, a Road ID bracelet with that info.
http://roadid.com/id.asp
IMO, you should always have the basics with you regardless of solo or group riding. For me, that includes:
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but just think about how far you're willing to walk, and then pack accordingly. Oh, and you need some bit of practice doing the basic repairs.
The seat bag is your friend! My philosophy is to put what the bike needs on the bike, and carry what you need in your pockets. Do all maintenance, cleaning, and bike prep immediately after riding, and leave the bag/bike ready for the next ride, or you'll forget something important.
Cheers!
Extort
07-07-07, 11:17 AM
Here is what I have in my saddle bag (a Transit Small Speed Wedge (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17868&subcategory_ID=2310)):
2 tubes, tire levers, patch kit, multi tool, sunscreen, lip balm, first aid kit (basic one with bandaids, neosporin, alcohol swabs, gauze, advil, biofreeze), copy of ID and health card, $20, credit card.
On the bike is a Road Morph and two bottles.
In my jersey is a cell phone and food.