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The Size of Your Tool Does Matter

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The Size of Your Tool Does Matter

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Old 10-15-24 | 08:47 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Steel Monkey









Inside the Rema Kit: The usual, plus cotton (for finding objects inside tire), tube adapters, SS chain link, and tiny allen wrench.
I'd add tweezers to that, they are needed sometimes to deal with pieces of thin (auto wheel?) wire.
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Old 10-15-24 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Steel Monkey
That's the same way we are about locks too. To what extent are we willing to safeguard against disaster vs inconvenience? I keep hoping (especially to try and shed the weight of my U lock) that everyone else realizes how "worthless" my bikes are on any market. Yet, there is always the individual anomaly
I don't normally carry a spoke wrench. One day as I was riding home from work, my rear wheel broke two spokes. I had a spoke wrench with me. I "trued" the wheel to make it able to spin with the brake disconnected. If I hadn't done that, I could not have even rolled the bike. I would have had to carry it for at least two miles to the subway. I really don't think that will happen to me again, and I should not need a spoke wrench. I don't carry it. I ask myself if I should. I don't think so, but there was that day!

I leave a couple of things on my bike that could be stolen such as my taillight. If it gets stolen, I'll be annoyed, but for now, I'll keep leaving it there. Maybe I'll change my mind.

I used to lock my bike by securing the frame and one of the wheels in my U lock. I used a cable lock to secure the other wheel to the bike. A thief could have easily cut the cable and had a wheel, but no one ever did. I did this for decades and never had a wheel stolen. I don't really understand the thief's mind.

I now have security skewers so I only need to lock the frame.
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Old 10-15-24 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by noglider
I don't normally carry a spoke wrench..
Two options worth considering:
  • A valve stem cap that doubles as a spoke wrench. (Peaty's makes this. Probably others as well.)
  • A notch cut in a brass key.

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Old 10-19-24 | 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted by FastJake
Don't forget: the best tool is a well designed, assembled, and maintained bicycle.

I carry a minimum of tools on my bikes because they don't break down. My fixed gear commuter only has a pump and tubes.
This. I use my gravel bike for commuting, 70+ mile round trip including a 21% gradient so I need gears. I carry a pump and dynaplugs. Got enough weight with change of clothes and sometimes a couple of kilos of laptop. Used to leave a lock at my old place but luckily have secure basement bike racks at the new office.
I like the balance/ingenuity of size and function in the OP’s kit though - if I was bikepacking that would be a great setup.
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Old 10-19-24 | 09:30 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by tFUnK
I have that ratchet tool too and it's a neat concept but it's difficult to apply leverage without the bit slipping down from the ratchet. I do like the torx bits on it, though.

I still ride with my Crank Bros mini multi tool because it's got a chain breaker.

I like the simplicity of just carrying some hex keys but I've got 2.5mm bolts on the saddle light mount all the way to a 10mm for my cranks (both of which have loosened during rides previously) so that means I'd be carrying the whole set.
I would want to test the multi tool chain breaker at home before needing it on a ride.

I had this mini Park Tool chain breaker, but it just doesn't have enough leverage for my 11 speed chain. I needed an adjustable wrench on the loop handle to get more leverage. A multi tool version might be even worse.

So I got the larger Park Tool cast iron tool -- so nice. I don't bring a chain tool on rides.


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Old 10-19-24 | 02:37 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by rm -rf
I would want to test the multi tool chain breaker at home before needing it on a ride.

I had this mini Park Tool chain breaker, but it just doesn't have enough leverage for my 11 speed chain. I needed an adjustable wrench on the loop handle to get more leverage. A multi tool version might be even worse.
I was doing a standing start in 42/11 and the (9 speed) chain suffered for it. Rode a few miles, but this one link wouldn't flex completely and the chain would roll off the chain ring. Finally figured it out and attempted to use the Cool Tool chain breaker that works fine on 8 speed chains, but wouldn't break this one. Fortunately, it budged the pin just enough to start flexing and it got me home. My Evo regular, and Serfas mini-tool took the pins out fine. So, yeah, test them to make sure. Once in 11 years but, yeah it happens.
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Old 10-20-24 | 08:04 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by choddo
This. I use my gravel bike for commuting, 70+ mile round trip including a 21% gradient so I need gears. I carry a pump and dynaplugs. Got enough weight with change of clothes and sometimes a couple of kilos of laptop. Used to leave a lock at my old place but luckily have secure basement bike racks at the new office.
I like the balance/ingenuity of size and function in the OP’s kit though - if I was bikepacking that would be a great setup.
You don't do that route five days a week, do you?
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