What To Carry...
 

I'm just recently back into cycling, so here is a somewhat naive question - what do you carry with you on a trip of say 5 miles or more?

By that, I mean do you guys carry any tools, tubes or anything else that might be of help should you break down or get a flat on the road? And if you do bring anything, what do you feel is the best way to carry these things? Saddle bags, backpacks etc...

I ask because I used to ride a MTB around the neighborhood for excercise, so it wasn't a big deal should something happen, but I've recently bought a road bike and I am going further these days as my endurance increases. So I would hate to be stuck to far from any help.

Thanks!:)

Mini pump, spare tube, levers, water, $$, lights, mirror.

See this --> http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=multitool

$10 for Pie

I get hungry.

tube, tire levers, patch kit, tire "boot", small multi tool, mini pump, cash, cable ties, tape. The pump goes on the frame and the other stuff goes in a small seat bag. It's so small and light that I leave it on for races.

Cell phone, food and clothes go in jersey pockets.

How to carry, seatbag. Small and under teh seat, not behind. I prefer to leave everything I need there (except for the pump). That way I cant forget somethng important.

Tubes (2) patch kit (yes both, one bad patch odf thorns or glass means 2 flats, no patch kit and the next bit of bad luck means walking). A multitool that includes a chainbreaker (with that you can change your bike into a 1 speed even after a fall that has ruined the derallieur). I also like a $10 or $20 in there somewhere.

I woudl say always have water, but hardly need it for 5-10 miles. These days my cell phone also goes in a jersey pocket.

Depending on the trip I might take a lock. I do not count on a lock to stop a thief, but it will stop a grab and go.

On my road bike, I have a small underseat bag that has one tube, two CO2 cartridges and the filler adapter, a multi-size allen tool, a pair of latex gloves and two tire spoons and sometimes I may put a $20.00 bill in the bag in case I need it. On the hybrid, I carry the same things except for the CO2 as the hybrid has a mini-pump mounted on it.

Exactly what I carry, and I add my car key and wallet if I've driven to the start of a ride. Cell and food go in the jersey pockets. If my spare tube fails, or I get a 2nd flat, I cry uncle and call for a pickup.

Great replies guys!

I will be putting together a survival bag very soon.

I see some of the responses say "levers", or tire levers. Is this to help get a tire on or off the rim?

Yes, sometimes you need three of them.
http://gotta-ride-bikes.amazonwebsto...B000AO9T8K.htm

Here's what's in my seat bag: two tubes, CO2 inflator, 2 CO2 cartridges, tire levers, tire boot (in case the tire casing is badly slashed), patch kit, multitool, moist towelettes for hand cleaning after repairs. Minipump is attached to the frame, cell phone & keys are in my jersey pocket.

Small wedge under the saddle that carries the puncture repair stuff. What you carry is up to you but the tube I wrap in a cloth before putting in a plastic bag. Saves some abrasion from the plastic after it has been sitting there for a years riding. Pump and get a good one. Others will have a favourite but Topeak Morph Series has a good following here. I have two. The Morph G that has a gauge on it but it is not the easiest to mount on a bike. It is long and takes a fair amount of space. The other is a "MiniMorph" and may seem a bit on the small side. The mount for it does take the space of a water bottle but i can manage that. But that "MINI" pump works. Air going into the tyre at each stroke seems small but it does not take long to get 125PSI into the tyre--and with ease.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=214283

Pic is of the pump on a bike so you can see how small it is. It also shows the wedge under the saddle.

Going Old School- They used to be called Frame pumps but is a Full size pump that mount by jamming along the top tube between the head tube and the seatpost. Good versions of these work well but do not fit every style of frame.

Everyone has a slightly different kit, I carry one tube, one set of tire levers, I'll add my wallet and keys, this is in an under seat bag, then there is a frame mounted pump, I will add one bottle of water if the ride is supposed to be less then an hour, two bottles if more. Each bike has it's own kit, and it stays with that bike, in fact on the list for next year is another pump for the missus bike, because it does not have one. The MTB has a rear rack, fenders and panniers, and I carry a lock in there, but that bike gets used for grocery runs and other stuff like that....

Don't forget the cell phone! And some zip ties.

My seat-bag is big enough for 2 tubes, tire levers, and 4,5,and 6mm allen wrenches (NOT a multi-tool). That goes on EVERY ride, along with my frame pump and at least one bottle (I have cages for 3). In my jersey pockets are an 1) industrial-strength ziploc (my "cycling wallet) containing my cell phone, medical insurance card, debit and credit cards, cash ($20/200k), a house key, and 2) some solid energy-food (like 2-400 calories worth, as I'm mostly liquid-fueled). If the ride's over 100mi, I'll bring a small patch kit, just in case. One bottle of water, and 1 or two 500-calorie bottles of Spiz, depending on the length of the ride. On longer rides, a couple ziplocs of Spiz powder also. Add clothing to suit the weather forecast, and I'm ready to roll.

Sounds like more that it really is, and should be enough for a 200k ride, maybe 300.

I don't beleive in bringing a lot of tools/spares/etc, because 1) I've never needed them in 35 years of riding and 2) I keep my bike well-maintained, so I'm not likely to have any breakdowns.

SP
Bend, OR

I agree with "stapfam" that a seatbag is a good place for puncture repair items. Wrap a spare tube in a protective jacket of cloth and make sure that nothing will 'poke' and 'prod' it while going down the road. A fanny pack, complete with cell phone pouch, is a good place to keep basic tools, money, etc. When you get off your bike, everything goes along with you. Very convenient.

Make sure the presta valve on your spare tube is wearing it's plastic screw-on cap so it doesn't puncture itself while rolled up in your seat pack.

condoms cuz you never know

hey, it could happen

I bring stuff to fix a flat - tire irons, pump, spare tube, patch kit - and a multi-tool for anything else that might need tightening, fixing, etc. My multi-tool has a chain tool and screw drivers. The chain tool is something I've never needed but I kind of like having it on the tool. Screwdrivers come in handy for adjusting the limiting screws on derailleurs. The Allen wrenches on the tool are often used for adjusting things, and also for tightening bolts which may be loose.

I have a lightweight Blackburn rack on the back of my daily ride. I put a rack trunk on it. I carry the tools in it, plus my wallet, sunscreen, energy bars, a sandwich, a book, a hat, a shirt, etc. I'm afraid it makes me look a bit Fred-ish, but I really don't care.

Don't you mean £10. ;)

$10??? That must be some REALLY GOOD pie. :)

£10 is about $15. I told you I get hungry.

Heh - I ride with everything but the kitchen sink. I bet I carry bout 25lbs of junk and water on every ride. Throw away gloves are handy for any messy work. Black tape - you never know. Zip-ties, again, you never know. First aid stuff as I am a klutz, and brambles like me. A rag or two, some plastic bags. Salt tablets. Alcohol wipes. Pocket knife. Extra AA batteries (for lights). Lock and cable (you never know).

The list goes on. I have a wedge bag, for flat repair stuff, a hard plastic box on the back rack to carry the rest. My unbottle 100oz water bag (ice+water) hangs from my seat back.

In my mind, what I carry isn't just for me, but also to help others that perhaps were not prepared quite as well. Or, call it paranoia? A phobia?

I carry pretty much the same stuff, but packaged a little differently. Rather than a multitool, I carry a set of allen keys as I find them easier to use. Rather than screwdrivers, I carry a leatherman with screwdrivers, knife, can opener, and needle nose pliers. The pliers are especially handy for extracting those little radial tire wires that cause flats. I have had to use my chain tool, but on a friend's bike rather than my own. I also carry a spoke wrench.

In addition to many of the suggestions above, I wrap a few yards of duct tape around a tool handle or tire lever and a few yards of bailing wire in a small coil. The combination of the two have come in handy more times than I can count.

I have a "Little Joe" saddlebag that I got from Rivendell years ago. In it I carry a spare tube, patch kit, tire irons, multi-tool and whatever I'm bringing along for food if it's a long ride. In my jersey pockets I have my wallet and cell phone. I do all my own maintenance and make sure my bike's in good shape before I leave on a ride.