Hoop

What tools/equipment are the absolute essentials for any ride?

I am thinking:

3, 4, 5, 6mm
tire lever
patch kit
tube
philips

Would/should I have larger/smaller hex keys? Will I get much use out of an adjustable wrench? Anybody have a favorite kit that includes these essentials?

mtnbiker66

I carry......
Park allen pack
Multi tool
Tube
Pump
Tire levers
Extra link

Raiyn

All but the tube and patch kit are incorporated into any good multitoolMost good multitools have 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8 mm Allen wrenches, Phillips & flat screwdrivers at the minimum. I would suggest looking at the Topeak Alien series as they have most of the tools one could need on a rideNot unless you don't have quick releases on the seat and wheelsOn the road I carry a Topeak Alien XS multitool, a Cyclo Rivoli chain tool (my Alien XS was sold without the chain tool), a spare tube, a Park preglued patch kit (with a small square of sandpaper), a single Park tire lever (all I need for a tire), an extra Power Link for my chain, and a Topeak Mini MasterBlaster™ w/Gauge.
All of this is carried in a seat pack except for the pump which has it's own mount.


Off road and for longer rides I carry the following:

I've also added a basic first aid kit just you never know what can happen.

cooker

I carry an adjustable wrench and a set of pliers since I would need them to make adjustments on brake or derailleur cables, but it's extremely rare to have to use them away from home. That's the sort of chore you do during routine maintenance, not on the trail. The wrench is also useful for one bike that doesn't have quick release wheels.
Robert

chris_pnoy

I have money, a hex wrench/philips/standard tool and a celphone when I ride.

bopicasso

I usually just carry a 9MM

sarsparilla

I carry my multitool, a tube and a co2 inflator or minipump. Haven't had anything that required more than that *knock on wood*. This all fits right in my jersey's pockets without a problem.

FrankieFrank

Flat screw driver
Philip screw driver
Hex wrench
Plier

These are the basic tools you will need. The more you carry the better. But you will have to decide at what point you have to stop adding tools with your packing or you end up with renting a U-Haul.

Better yet, carry cash and cell phone. Someone will help you out if you have deep pocket.

Quadzone.com

A big cooler of beer on the back.

paintballdude

I have that crank bro's tool kit and that works out fine.

MadMan2k

I usually bring my camera and mini tripod, and some coins and pocket knife and wallet.

iamlucky13

Bare minimum: SAE box end wrench set, 3/16 and 1/4" flathead and #1 and #2 phillips screwdrivers, SAE and metric Allen wrenches, spare lube, vernier calipers, ball pean hammer, framing hammer, chainsaw, Oscar Meyer wiener whistle (for safety), transit level, cutting torch (or plasma cutter if you can afford one and back it up with a mig welder and generator, 220 V), Nalgene bottle, hydraulic bottle jack, air compressor, halogen work lamp, and last, but not least, Safeway club card for after-ride snacks. All of these things add up to: Posuer.

More seriously, look your bike over and consider what might break. I keep one of each size Allen wrench, philips and flat screwdrivers, tire levers, patch kit, spare tube, frame pump, and a chain tool (never had a chain fail on me, but it's been known to happen to others). All of the tools are condensed into my Topeak Hummer, and everything except the pump in a wedge pack, so that's basically my minimum kit.

Raiyn's idea of zip ties and duct tape is really good. I hadn't thought of wrapping around a gift card, but that would have come in handy 3 weeks ago when the girl I was riding with wore a hole in the sidewall of her tire. My fix held, but it wasn't confidence inspiring.

pittsteelfan102

i bring a topeak multi tool, 2 tire leavers, tube, water, and power bars. i put all of it in my camel back! :-)

d_D

If I have the time to walk from the furthest away point of my ride I usually take no tools.
Anything further and I take:
patch kit, couple of tyre levers, mini pump, small torch, mobile phone, and for some strange reason a cloth rimstrip.

Raiyn

What the heck kind of ****** up bike are you riding? Pliers? I haven't used pliers on a bike repair since I was twelve and didn't know any better.
Most bikes these days (that aren't sold by X-mart and even then) use metric allen bolts for just about everything.

cooker

Maybe I have flawed technique, but I find I need pliers to adjust brake or gear cables. I grip the cable with the pliers right where it emerges from the clamp, loosen the clamp, roll the pliers a bit to pull a bit more cable through, then tighten the clamp.

norcodirtjumper

I usually bring 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8 mm allen wrenches, lube, a buck knife, and a little water.

MasterSezFaster

It would depend on your mechanic abilities and the bike you ride.

On my xc bike all I need is a good multi-tool to do just about everything.

On my trail/freeride bike I also need, other then the multi-tool, to bring an 18mm wrench and tire levers if I need to change a rear tire.

For my dh bike I do not bring anything because i am always with in a reasonable distance if I have to walk back to my truck that has a compleat tool set in it.

stapfam

Why? Thats more than I carry for a 100 mile offroad ride.

OK. my list

Spare tube
2 tyre levers
patch kit
4,5,6mm allen keys
Chain tool
Phillips screwdriver
Pump.
Mobile phone.

For a 100 miler I carry 1 extra tube and a folding tyre

If I have done any major changes or repairs to the bike I would carry the tools to repair on the trail ,just in case it comes loose-- such as 10mm allen key if I have taken the cranks off.

Hoop

Well, after taking an inventory of my bike, I determined that currently the only fasteners on it are 3, 5, and 8mm plus philips head.

With that small amount of allens, I might look into individual wrenches instead of a multi-tool.

Ricardo

The best "tool" is a good and regular maintenance schedule at your bike shop. Other than that, a patch kit for those nasty flats.

Ricardo

dirtyamerican

The basics (patch kit, pump, allen wrenches, tire levers, multitool) but also a chaintool and spoke wrench.

Raiyn

Quite simple. I prefer to be self sufficent. I'm also usually supporting two bikes (possibly more) on a off road trip