I carry 3 levers.

This is something you should practice BEFORE you need to use it - like at home, and there are some good youtube videos on changing a tube in a tire, moujnting, disnounting, etc. There are a lot of "tricks" to easily (as opposed to near impossible) removing and mounting a tire - especially in regards to not damaging and correctly seating the tube, and finding the cause of the falt - which is essential or it will flat again. Also, even if you only go 5 miles from home on your mtn bike, carry a kit unless you like walking 5 miles.

Don't forget your housekey if you leave from home. As an eyeglass wearer, I also always bring spare glasses. Last month I had a crash and the glasses I had on were unwearable (but repairable). I went to the Emergency Room, and my bike with trunk bag containing my spare eyeglasses went to the police station. Eventually we were reunited and I could make my way home.

I think you have the idea Ed, if you maintain your bicycle well, then you shouldn't break down on the road, it's the same with a car, you need to do regular maintenance, and then the breakdowns are few and far between. Actually I need to do a check on my bikes, maybe give them a cleaning.

I just went to the LBS today to pick-up my survival gear.

Got a pump, tube, patch kit and levers. I also put in the bag a couple of allen keys, electric tape and some ties.

While I think I know how to change a flat I will go to that you tube video showing the tricks behind it. Good info!

For both my road and MTB, tire pump, patches, multi-tool, levers, pair of nitrile gloves, tube, small baggie with 4 asprins and 2 pkgs of Celox, ID card with medical info, folder knife, eye drops, cell phone and depending on where and when I choose to ride, maybe my Glock 26 or Kel-Tec PF9 with my CCP.

Yes

Anything less than 20mi I dont need anything on the bike except my cell phone in case of a flat. The 20mi course is for my innermost racing desires and is my personal time trial. Other than that I'm carry everything for a flat, a mini-pump and water bottle on the frame. It's far too easy to get carried away with stuff you think you'll need and seemingly never do.....until you get a flat or need a snack or run low on water 30mi from the nearest nowhere.

Practice a flat change at home. You won't be sorry you did.

Some differences between a flat change at home and one "on the road."

1. You likely will not have ants biting you!

2. You can find shade.

3. You will have a bench or something to sit on instead of sprawling on the ground or wearing out a tired body trying to balance.

4. When you have to go to the bathroom, you have one handy.

5. If it is burning hot, you can conveniently take a break.

6. If you screw up and immediately get a blow out because you seated the tube wrong, or a leak because you damaged the tube, well - you are already home!!

7. You will lkely use your floor pump instead of a little tiny thing requiring maybe 200 pumps.

So, practice at home on the important details, because when you get a flat "on the road" you are going to have distractions. Knowing the steps will make it immensely easier.

And if you are using CO2 to reinflate your tire, you might want to do at least 2 reps.

I used to say that I just carried enough stuff to fix one flat tire and a good attitude.

Actually, that was never true. I also carry my bill fold, car keys, water and, for the last two years, a cell phone. On a new bike I pack along a folding allen key set until I get the adjustments dialed in to my satisfaction. After that I don't worry about it but the multi-tool generally stays in the bag until I need it for something else.

Tire inflation devices is a topic unto itself. There's basically two schools of thought. One says that, since you've already had a flat tire, you're likely to be aggrivated so you'll want a pump that's fast and easy to use. The other says that, since flat tires don't happen very often, you can live with taking longer to reinflate your tire in exchange for more convenient pump storage. Know yourself and choose wisely.

CO2 is, by far, the fastest and easiest to use but that comes at a risk. If you're not super careful in installing and seating your new inner tube, you'll blow it out and ruin your new inner tube in addition to losing your CO2. Mini pumps will do the job - eventually - but a guy my age might not have enough time left to inflate a 26 X 1.5" tire to 90psi. Full size frame pumps are about halfway between the two. A current hot seller is the Topeak Morph series which is actually a road side sized floor pump. That's what I'm using today.

Let not talk much about flats. Where theres one, theres more to come, for sure. We always cary 2 tubes.

Whoops! Forgot to mention my CO2 inflater, which I carry along with several cartridges. I've also carried a full-sized frame pump in the past, a Zefal HPx. It was bulky but did a great job of filling my tubes.

Did you know that the $10 bill or $20 bill in that little bag under your seat will actually grow mold on it if you leave it long enough? I discovered this little fact because my Ultra Gator Skins haven't flatted in more than 2 years.

I don't think anyone mentioned wearing a Road ID bracelet or tag for emergency contacts and medical info.

Multitool
pump
spare tubes
tire levers
water bottles
wrapper from Clif Bars for use as a tire boot
sunscreen
bug spray
snack
Ibuprofen
camera
spare batteries
duct tape
wallet
handkerchief
rainjacket
rubber snake (mascot, named Doug)

+1 I do this on every ride and run.

I wear my Road ID dogtag around my neck. In my jersey pockets I carry a small Tyvek wallet ($1 at the Solvang Century; leftover from '06) with $10, business cards, a Starbucks gift card, racing license, local coffee shop reward card. Cell phone w/sound turned off. A few dried figs or Gu or other food. A very small pocket knife w/1 blade and a tiny pair of scissors, lip balm, a tiny container of DZ Bliss cream. In a small saddlebag I keep levers, 2 CO2 cartridges, a spare tube. I aim to travel light & be prepared (former Girl Scout).

MTB3 Rescue tool, spare tube, patch kit, cash money (can be used as a boot...$50's work best), mini pump, and a cellphone.

Aaron