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Touring Equipment

Old 10-06-05, 02:02 AM
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Touring Equipment

I just baught a 2003 Jamis Aurora and I plan on taking it on some long rides. What kind of tools will I need for on the road matinence? What kind of tools and equipment will I also need? What other things should I take into concideration for a long ride?
Thanks a lot friends!!
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Old 10-06-05, 03:05 AM
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I divide the stuff I carry up into 7 categories to help me remember it all:


1. Bicycle: this includes my bicycle itself (making sure it is in good repair and set up correctly), my waterbottles, racks, lights, computer, etc.

2. Tools: tire changing stuff (pump, tubes, folding tire, levers, patches, and boots), a multitool, black electrical tape, zip ties, etc.

3. Medical: pain killers, bandages, sunscreen, anti-bacterial soap, baby wipes, space blanket, cream, etc.

4. Clothing: rain gear, reflective gear, shorts, tights, long-sleeved wool top, etc.

5. Personal: ID, camera, money, etc.

6. Nutrition: energy bars, gels, gatorade powder etc.

7. Camping: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking gear, etc.


I've got quite an extensive packing list which goes into a lot more detail than that ... with everything you'd ever want to take on a 3+ month tour ... but those categories sum it up nicely and help me remember everything ... especially for shorter rides like brevets and centuries.
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Old 10-06-05, 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by ExistingParadox
I just baught a 2003 Jamis Aurora and I plan on taking it on some long rides. What kind of tools will I need for on the road matinence? What kind of tools and equipment will I also need? What other things should I take into concideration for a long ride?
Thanks a lot friends!!
For tools, you want to be able to do just enough repair to keep you moving down the road. For example, you might not need a bottom bracket tool (I almost guarantee it!) but you might need to tighten the crank so you need an 8mm allen wrench. My list of tools:

CoolTool which has 4,5,6 mm allen wrenches and an adapter for an 8mm wrench, chain tool, spoke tool, adjustable wrench and a phillips screw driver.

2, 2.5, 3 mm allen wrench for certain cable adjustments and pedal adjustments

Cassette removal tool. Just make sure that you know how to use it before you need it. It works real well at tightening the lockring onto the wheel so that you can't get it off

A Leatherman juice S4 and P4. The S4 has scissors and the P4 has pliers as well as a flat blade screw driver and other stuff. The scissors are nice if you need to trim stuff or cut tape while the pliers are needed if you have to tighten a cable.

A 16 penny nail. If you need to tighten the bottom bracket or if you have a freewheel (that's how long I've been carrying the stupid nail!) you can use the nail and a rock to do it.

3 10-32 cap screws which work for water bottle cages and racks, just in case.

Tire lever

2 tubes

Patch kit with new glue and 10 to 15 patches

Zip ties both small and large (6 of each)

Some duct tape

Some velcro strips

4 to 6 spokes the same length as the drive side of the rear wheel

White lightning lube

Chain master links

Pump

And, finally and most importantly, my brain. I use it all the time, sometimes even for stuff that's useful
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Old 10-06-05, 08:41 AM
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I agree with the above.

Mostly though, you need to just look at your bike. You don't need to bring anything you can't figure out how to do. I mean no need to bring cone wrenches, if you don't know what they are for. But otherwise i just look at everything, and ask yourself "do I have a wrench for that, could I fix it". I specifically look at every bolt. Along the way, you need to make some decisions if particular tools are spectacularly heavy or something, or you can't do the work, or it seems low likelyhood to break.

High pressure tires are tough to inflate on the road, a mini stirup pump like the Road Morph is a godsend. I had no tire troubles on my recent tour, and then had to replace and remove the same tire about 4 times in one day, only once for patching. The pump paid for itself. I also wouldn't be without a quick stick tire removal tool (though some MTB tires can be removed without tools).

The three things you can really hit with new bikes I feel, are: Tires, cranks that loosen during the break-in, brake adjustments. I have never had a spoke go, but if one does on your freewheel side, you need to be able to remove that.

I usually find deraileurs are good for a few years without adjust, maybe just my luck.

You can save yourself some grief on older bikes by making sure any adjustment nuts are on the virtuous side of their travel, so that if brake cables stretch a tiny amount it is an easy fix. Same with gears.

If you need to go by plane or whatever, you may need dismount tools, like pedal removal tools. I met one guy who had to remove pedals to get over the thousand island bridge at Ivy Lee, since it is has a cramped pedestrian overpass.

For my recent tour, my kit was pretty small and light, about the same size as my toiletries bag. I couldn't pack bottom bracket tools, or freewheel tools, because I don't have those for the new parts yet. And I didn't need headset tools now that you can do that stuff with an allen wrench.

Be sure to go over certain parts and be sure they are well greased and if possible worn in. You have little chance of tightening you crank levers with a multitool, unless they just rattled loose, and less chance if the engagements have galled. I stay away from multitools, because they have duplicate stuff on them, and the size of wrench lever arm you need for cranks is different than a headset.
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Old 10-06-05, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
I divide the stuff I carry up into 7 categories to help me remember it all:
Hey, that's really clever. I'd never broken it down that much- I just do bike related vs camping related, but those categories are much clearer.
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Old 10-06-05, 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Peterpan1
I mean no need to bring cone wrenches...
That's the one item I'm going to add.

On tour this year I forgot to check my daughter wheel bearings and found, after about 8 days of riding, that they had been set up too tight. But I didn't have a cone wrench! I going to pack one from now on or get cassette bearing for her bike (I already have them and it made me even faster on the downhills )
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Old 10-06-05, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by womble
Hey, that's really clever. I'd never broken it down that much- I just do bike related vs camping related, but those categories are much clearer.

My main type of cycling is ultra-distance cycling ... centuries and Randonneuring brevets. Because most of those rides are done where it is quite remote, and I often ride them solo, I need to pack enough equipment to make sure I can deal with most situations out there.

These events occur about every couple weeks, sometimes more frequently. When I started Randonneuring, I would spend Thursday nights frantically running around my place trying to ensure I had packed everything I needed and left behind everything I didn't. The result was that I usually forgot something. So I figured there had to be a better way ... and I came up with that 7 category system.

I also have my bags and things organized according to that 7 category system. I'm very meticulous with it!

Bicycle - obviously, it is the part that is underneath me when I'm pedalling.

Tools - the tools go in the right pocket of my Carradice. Why the right pocket? Because that is the side of the bicycle that is up when I lie my bicycle down - the chainring side. I also keep my tire changing tools on the right side inside the Carradice, all in a bag together that I can just grab if necessary without rummaging around. That makes them all more accessible when I have to make a repair.

Medical - my medical stuff goes in the left pocket. Why the left pocket? Because the right one is occupied with my tools, but also because when I lean my bicycle up against a building, I tend to lean it with the left side out, and the right side against the wall. Therefore I can grab my creams and things on the way into the convenience store washroom.

Clothing - that goes in the middle/left of the Carradice because that is the biggest area and the clothes are the most bulky. I will keep my mini-gloves and a headband in my handlebar bag so I can grab them quickly if a storm blows in.

Nutrition - that goes in my handlebar bag where I can get at it quickly and easily. One or two bars will also go in my Bento bag for easy access, and if there is some excess stuff I'm hauling for the really long remote rides, it will go in my Carradice.

Personal - all of that goes in my handlebar bag and comes with me wherever I go

Camping - that stuff goes in my panniers, and consists of anything extra I would take with me if I were actually camping.


I keep all my bags packed with the exception of the camping stuff (and even some of that stays packed), so all I need to worry about is replacing supplies which have run low ... such as tubes, or creams, or painkillers or whatever. Easy. No more running around like mad on Thursday nights.
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Old 10-07-05, 01:45 AM
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Thanks to you all!!
This forum rocks! I am really excited about getting some riding in. It really feels intune with my way of living. Ive never been into biking so lots of stuff you guys talk about doesnt really sink in but I really liked the advise about looking at my bike and thinking "what will I need to fix that?"
I will keep everything in mind when I buy tools and pack for my trip.
Thanks again
Q
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Old 10-07-05, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Peterpan1

I have never had a spoke go, but if one does on your freewheel side, you need to be able to remove that.
I am finally returning to touring after an extended time away (kids) so I am still from the "old school". In stead of a freewheel remover, I just filed the head of the spoke down so it could be inserted without removing the freewheel.

You just file the head on the bend side (where the spoke does a 90 degree bend). Granted this is only a temporary measure even though I have forgotten to replace the spoke and rode another 4,000 miles of loaded touring before I remembered when another freewheel side spoke broke (try saying "spoke broke" three times fast ).

If different lengths (most likely), I would carry some non-freewheel size spkes also. I have broken some of those over the years also .

Happy Trails!
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Old 10-07-05, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
I divide the stuff I carry up into 7 categories to help me remember it all:

I do something similar, but I divide into "rooms"

Bedroom - tent, pad, bag
Kitchen - stove, pot, utensils, food
Bathroom - toiletries and first aid
Closet - clothing
Garage - bike and tools
Living Room - entertainment (book/music/camera)

Last edited by Bikepacker67; 10-07-05 at 12:05 PM.
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Old 10-07-05, 07:25 PM
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Cool tip. What part exactly do you file? I guess someone should mention there are flexy spokes that can be woven in place too, though they seem pricey.
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Old 10-07-05, 07:57 PM
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regarding the nutrition category or the kitchen "room"...

do any of you use water filters on long tours? i'll be in europe and australia for several months and i already have some aqua mira chlorine purifier, but am debating whether i should also get a filter.

the msr waterworks looks like the best, though the largest. and the katadyn mini looks like the smallest and longest lasting, though the hardest to use. i'm not worried about weight as much as bulk, so i'm leaning towards the katadyn.

anybody have opinions or experience?
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Old 10-07-05, 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Slartybartfast
regarding the nutrition category or the kitchen "room"...

do any of you use water filters on long tours? i'll be in europe and australia for several months and i already have some aqua mira chlorine purifier, but am debating whether i should also get a filter.

the msr waterworks looks like the best, though the largest. and the katadyn mini looks like the smallest and longest lasting, though the hardest to use. i'm not worried about weight as much as bulk, so i'm leaning towards the katadyn.

anybody have opinions or experience?
I have & use a KATADYN Hiker. Bought this size because there are three of us & thought it really didn't pack too big, approx. 7in. x 9in pouch x 2 inches thick. It works wonderfully. I have not used other filters so I can't give you a comparison, however, it is very easy & quick enough to use. Another cool thing is that the instructions are sewn into said pouch on waterproof fabric.
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Old 10-07-05, 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Slartybartfast
regarding the nutrition category or the kitchen "room"...

do any of you use water filters on long tours? i'll be in europe and australia for several months and i already have some aqua mira chlorine purifier, but am debating whether i should also get a filter.

the msr waterworks looks like the best, though the largest. and the katadyn mini looks like the smallest and longest lasting, though the hardest to use. i'm not worried about weight as much as bulk, so i'm leaning towards the katadyn.

anybody have opinions or experience?

I brought a couple small bottles of water purification stuff with me when I went to Australia. I hauled that stuff around with me for 3 months over there ... and didn't use a drop. I did lose a few drops though when it eventually started to leak and bleached out one of my stuff sacks as well as creating quite an interesting odor in the bottom of one of my panniers.
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Old 10-07-05, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Peterpan1
Cool tip. What part exactly do you file? I guess someone should mention there are flexy spokes that can be woven in place too, though they seem pricey.
I file the thread side of the head (part that is on the inside of hub) so that it can be slid into place. If the spoke is lying flat with the threads to the left and the flat part of the head on top, file the left (thread side) side of head until it is left with the main part of the spoke. The right (bottom) needs to remain so it can hold the spoke. File a few spokes and try on a spare hub so you can see what I mean. If you find an bike shop with an old timer (been in business at least 20 years) they probably know how to do it.

As you said those flex graphite? spokes may work also. I'm old school so they're too new for me .
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Old 10-07-05, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Slartybartfast
regarding the nutrition category or the kitchen "room"...

do any of you use water filters on long tours? i'll be in europe and australia for several months and i already have some aqua mira chlorine purifier, but am debating whether i should also get a filter.

the msr waterworks looks like the best, though the largest. and the katadyn mini looks like the smallest and longest lasting, though the hardest to use. i'm not worried about weight as much as bulk, so i'm leaning towards the katadyn.

anybody have opinions or experience?
Bottle, purified water is readily available in both places so unless you are going to be away from civilization for a while that might work. This could get expensive of course. I would "assume" that water in western Europe and in the developed parts (city, not well water) of Austrailia is clean.
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