dazz100

Hi
It's been 40 years since I last owned a bicycle. I have brought a road bike and plan to do casual road and commuting (16km each way). I want to avoid public transport in a Covid 19 world.
So the question I have is what should I carry in my commuting toolkit??

I have been editing this post based on advice in the posts below and my own thoughts so this first post includes the latest info.

This is my list so far. I have graded each item with stars meaning:
*** shouldn't leave home without it
** Too far away to call a taxi
* Only required for expeditions

The grading is a combination of likelihood of needing it while on the road, weight and distance from home

• *** ID
• *** some cash
• *** mobile phone (in pocket)
• *** Spare tube
• *** small piece of plastic to cover tyre damage from within.
• *** tyre levers
• *** Hand pump
• *** CO2 inflator
• *** first aid (Band Aids etc to treat minor road rash just in case)
• *** A4 sized plastic bag to act as miniature ground sheet to separate tools and things from the mud and dust.
• *** small torch (for night riding/commuting)
• *** metal pick/needle to dig sharp things out of the tyre
• ** latex gloves for handling the chain
• ** spare removable chain link
• ** wire hook tool to hold the ends of the chain when fitting/removing the removable chain link
• ** chain breaker
• ** Rag
• ** A 2nd spare tube
• * cable ties for temp running repair
• * small roll of tape.
• * hex bits to fit all the fasteners on my bike (2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, Phillips)
• * small bit driver
• * spoke wrench

I have looked at multi-tools but they all include tools I will never use on the road. I plan to buy a small cheap light bit driver and just the 1/4" bits I need for my bike. The combination of a small driver and bits is cheaper and lighter than a multi-tool.

I plan to use the bottle type tool container because it will keep the weight low on the bike.

I also plan to 3D print a light tool holder that will have pockets to store all of the above items and stop them rattling around in the container.

Is there anything on my list I don't need?
Is there anything missing that should be on the list?
I am progressively editing the list based on my experience, feedback and things learned from others.


Dazz

WGB 

Hand pump?
If using CO2 perhaps pump and several cylinders?
Patch kit incase you get two flats on same day?
US 1$ bill or piece of mylar for a hole in tire to limp home?

shelbyfv

Welcome to BF! Had you joined last week you could have been party to the extensive and amusing thread addressing this same question. Maybe someone can find it for you. I'd think again about the 1/4" bits. Check out the Park "dogbone" tool. It will be cheaper, lighter and will not get separated and lost.

Juan el Boricua

Cel phone!!! Pump or, if you prefer, CO2 canisters and head; $20 bill for incidentals or tire boot. Medium to large zip ties (x3), maybe 3'-5' duct tape wrapped around the pump or tool canister for impromptu repairs or tire/ cloths patching. I would ditch the solvent and add a small rag or old sock to keep tools from rattling and use it for cleaning purposes. Have you considered using a hex-key-only multitool?, I find them less cumbersome than separate bits and driver (at least on-bike kits as not to have look for them, or loose them) and the frame tends to be quite strong and easier to use (my experience, YMMV). Not much else for commuting that I can think of now.

dazz100

Hi
I did search the forum for this type of topic before making my first post but couldn't find anything relevant.

Yes, I missed tyre pump from the list. I have one.

I already have a key-only multi tool in my workshop tool box. Never used it. I much prefer drivers and bits. All my bits are stored in plastic holders to keep them together and avoid losing them. I am planning to 3D print a holder to fit the tool bottle for the same reasons.

I also forgot some basic first aid items. A few Band Aids weigh and cost little. Hopefully I never need to use them.

woodcraft

Small roll of tape.

Yes, you do need the chain tool if the RD is trashed, to shorten the chain.

cpach

That seems mostly fine. Perhaps add an appropriately sized spoke wrench so you can get the wheel into usable shape if a spoke breaks. I personally really like carrying multi-tools because it's easy to keep everything together and has everything I need. I also have a wildly unreasonable number of bikes so I don't want to create kits for specific bikes if I can help it.
I carry a Park IB-3 multi tool which has, among other things, integrated chain breaker, spoke keys, and tire lever. To that I add a couple C02 cartridges. I sometimes carry tubes with me, but recently I'm trying to tape tubes to individual bikes to keep my shuffling around for stuff prior to rides to a minimum. I tape appropriate quick links and sometimes derailleur hangers to individual bikes. Long rides get a second tube (particularly if I'm running tubeless), patch kit, and a hand pump.

I experience relatively few mechanicals and flats though, so that influences my choices.

Given your preferences, you might like Fix it Sticks, although the pricing is arguably high for what they are.

dazz100

Hi
I only have, and will only ever have, one bike. The Fix it Sticks look like nice tools. I have found a cheap Chinese junk bit driver <$1 which will do the job. It is only 105mm long. I can't post a photo until I have made 10 posts.
I have edited the first post so those that follow don't have to wade through these posts to find the answer.

Dazz

dedhed

I've never found the need for a chain tool in real life commuting (3K/yr). I do carry extra quick links saved from old chains. I prefer to maintain and replace chains annually.
I do carry a spare shift cable as that has broken and is small.
I've also never needed a spoke wrench but my multi-tool has a rudimentary one on it. I do have a patch kit, tire levers, tube, spoke wrench and chain tool I leave at work that if something happens on the morning commute I can repair during the day or repair someone else's bike.

zacster

Total overkill for 16km rides. A spare, a pump and a patch kit for flats, and a fold-able multitool for everything else, preferably one with built in tire levers. Chain tools are unnecessary, I've been riding a very long time and never have needed one. Skip the pliers, maybe the spoke wrench but only if you have reason to believe you may need it. I carried one around after I home built my own wheels until I was confident that they were good. Besides, if you don't know how to true wheels it won't do you any good anyway. You don't need to be a mobile bike shop when you go on local rides. If you were going on a solo cross-country trip then maybe you would need some extra tools.

I avoid public transport too now. If I really got stuck somewhere I'd consider it though.

HillRider

I've also been riding for a very long time and never needed a chain tool for my own bikes for on-road repairs but i've used it to help other riders a couple of times. Mine is a very small, light (25 gm) Ritchey CRP5 that uses a separate 5 mm allen key as the screw press driver. It's long out of production and by no means a shop tool but excellent as a take-along.

shelbyfv

Two condoms in case you get luckier than the other guy....

KLiNCK

It's always a balance as to what to carry re: "What could possibly happen?" and "What do I really need?" to get back home safely...

I stay on top of maintenance so I don't need to carry the extra weight of spare cables, chain breakers, wrenches, drivers etc, etc.... It's good to be prepared but... am I REALLY going to do major mechanical work on the side of the road? (And if I need to... how did I allow THAT to happen?!?)

On day rides I just bring the bare minimum to address tire punctures - capable of handling 3 flats. 3 tubes, 4 CO2 canisters, multi-tool, and tire irons.
Multi-day touring - away from the work stand? That's a different situation....

YRMV but after 10 seasons of hauling around stuff I NEVER used - my emergency repair kit reflects what I need per riding situation.

dazz100

Hi
When I rode bikes 40 years ago, I never saw anyone with a took kit on a bike. If I really get into trouble, my backup plan would be to call my wife to come and get me.

Dazz

zacster

That was always my backup plan when riding anywhere other than NYC. Within the city though the NYC Subway would always get me home, except now I won't ride it until there's a vaccine and I can be sure I won't get Covid. My favorite ride right now is the grand Brooklyn loop, which takes me 50 miles but never more than about 5 or 6 miles from home. Greenpoint is 10 but if I had any problems I'd head home before I went out that way.

blamester

How far do you intend going?
Make sure the bike is working good before you leave.
Check the weather before you go.
I bring 4/5 mill allen key, pump , sealant ,money and phone. 1hr to 4hr ride.
ride.Less than an hour sometimes I don't bother.

veganbikes

I would say a multi tool or hex wrenches are more important then chain breaker, rag and tape and certainly the small plastic bit should be well at the bottom of the list if it must be kept. I can multi task with my cash to use as a tire boot. The chain link could be handy I guess but I don't tend to break chains while riding on the road, I can see it more mountain biking or if you are a heavy rider with cheaper components that rides rough. I would ditch the breaker and the wire tool to hold the chain, just drop it off the chainrings and put it on the smallest cog at the back and you will have plenty of slack if you really come into a bad situation.

Basically if you keep the bike in good shape you won't need a lot of stuff. The multi tool I don't use often while riding and with good upkeep on the bike probably won't need it much but if something does happen it is nice to have it. With something like the Spurcycle tool it is light and takes up less space so it is an easy carry and fits your bill quite well. Zip ties aren't a bad idea and don't take of weight or space. Pump or CO2 pick one and be done. If you are prone to punctures go with the hand pump if you are just bringing it in case to ward of the tire goblins or are racing then CO2.

No spoke wrench needed if my wheel is needing truing on the road I did a piss poor job of maintaining my bike or was in some sort of terrible crash that I probably don't want to ride after. Same thing with the rag, I don't need one and If I do need one terribly my jersey, bib shorts, sock, cycling cap...could all be used in an absolute emergency if I could find nothing else. The tape is neat but I so rarely use tape while cycling and if I did I would just wrap a little extra electrical tape when finishing my bars

The surgical gloves can be handy and they don't generally take up much space so I would leave them in but I will probably just grab a leaf if things get greasy.

PoorInRichfield

Food for thought... if you need your bike to be dependable, especially for commuting, and you're not super concerned with speed and performance, might I suggest trying a solid tire set? I.e., there are a few manufacturers that make tires that have no inner tubes, thus eliminating flats and eliminating the need for many of the tools you'd otherwise be hauling around. For racing and performance riding, these tubes make no sense, but for commuting at relatively low speeds, I think they make a lot of sense.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about...

Gresp15C

I carry the means to fix a flat, and the most basic possible multi-tool.

Carrying a CO2 cartridge is great unless something goes wrong. Same with carrying two CO2 cartridges. For some reason I've always felt more comfortable carrying a pump.

This is an interesting topic, where you will get a vast range of responses, ranging from "nothing" to "a complete bike repair shop." There's no objective answer. One thing seems reasonably certain to me, is that the best assurance is a decent quality, well maintained bike.

MNebiker

He who dies with the most tools in his kit wins . . . . .

RGMN

Same thing I've been doing, I've been retiring my multitools and replacing them with a Lezyne Storage Drive It's a little lighter but I'm able to customize it with only the bits I need for the specific bike it is one.

Gresp15C

One more item to mention, depending on your locale... Bug repellent.

zacster

I always carry sunscreen in the summer, and now also hand sanitizer and a mask, but I don't count these things as tools.

greatscott

Ok looking over the list I think you're pretty much on target.

I carry about $50 on me, why so much? in case I need to get a repair done, or buy some part, or if I'm out on the road far I may go into McDonalds and have breakfast or lunch, all sorts of reason to have cash on hand.

phone, sure.

spare tube, certainly, but you need a spare tube when you go tubeless as well in case you get a puncture that the sealant fails to seal which is most of the time.

Tire boot, yup.

Tire levers, yup, I use Soma Steel Core levers but Pedros are really good to, but I like Soma levers better; however the touring bike uses wire beaded tires and those sometimes can be a bear to put on, so I carry another lever called the VAR Tyre lever, it works really good for stubborn tires and it fits in a saddle bag.

Hand pump, of course; I really like my Lezyne Road Drive Large, it will get pressures up to at least 120, though I never go more than 90.

CO2...nah, I have no reason to want one, I don't want to deal with paying for air, disposing the carts (though most riders simply toss the carts on the side of the road instead of taking them home!), having to buy new ones, not to forget to replace a spent cart, I'm not racing so I could care less about putting air in fast.

I've never in over 60 years (including as a child) of riding bikes broke a chain, so I don't carry the hook, but my multi tool has a chain tool built in; I also don't carry a spare link, besides you still ride a bike just fine missing a link minus your lowest and highest gear.

Rag? nope, but I carry small packets of hand cleaner instead. When I tour I carry a rag to wipe my chain down with, but I don't need a rag on normal rides.

2nd spare tube? nope, I carry a glueless patch kit instead, unless I'm touring then I carry a second tube and of course the patch kit.

Cable ties? Nope, unless I'm on a tour.

Small roll of tape? nope unless I'm on a tour then I take black Gorilla tape, it's a lot tougher than duct tape.

The last 3 tool items you mentioned are all in my multi tool so they don't rattle around.

My only loose tool is a small pair of folding pliers.

I also take a small tube of Gorilla Super Glue, it's great for repairing stuff plus I can use it to fill in holes and cuts on tires, and it can seal cuts on skin.

lathan what I mentioned the only extra thing I take while touring in regards to repairing stuff is two FiberFix Spokes, they take up very little space.

All that stuff that you and I carry won't fit in a bottle thing you want to use, besides doing that means you lose a water bottle which either shortens your ride or you have to stop to refill your one bottle. I use the Topeak AeroWedge large expandable bag on the touring bike, but I use a smaller BV large bag I got off of Amazon for $15 and it's made of the same exact materials as the Topeak for the regular bike.

Outrider1

I would over think it.