inspclouseau

So I did search, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for which is odd because I am sure I missed a post somewhere along the way.

Anyway, my saddle bag crapped out on me yesterday on a ride. Someone very nice stopped and gave me a string to let me get through my ride. So I guess its time for a new bag. I think its time I slim down on my contents and go for a smaller bag. The reality is that I am not a mechanic and want a smaller multi-tool. The basics have come in handy, like allen keys for seat post & water bottle holders. Obviously need a flat kit (levers and tube). CO2 cartridge and attachment. I have a tire pressure gauge, but am thinking about ditching it. The rare times I get a flat I should be able to go by feel.

Am I short changing myself on anything? Can anyone recommend a minimalist multi-tool? I probably will never use a spoke wrench or chain tool.

Any bag recs? Obviously looking for something small - really for no reasons other than aesthetics. thanks

rjones28 

Here's my thread about that.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...oad-caddy.html

I've used the Road Caddy for a whole season now and still like it. Probably don't need the big multi-tool in there.

bikemig 

Jandd makes fine seat bags; they are well made and tough. My favorite is the hurricane mini mountain wedge as it as a reflective band and an LED light can be hooked to the band:

Hurricane Mini Mountain Wedge

Amazon.com : Jandd Hurricane Mini Mountain Wedge Black : Bike Panniers And Rack Trunks : Sports & Outdoors

Insofar as a multi tool is concerned, I'd go maximalist rather than minimalist in terms of tools. It's a drag to realize that your multi tool lacks the right tool. I like the topeak alien II and III:

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - ALiEN? III

You still need a patch kit, tube, and tire irons. Plus I think a tire boot of some type is handy like this,

https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TB-2...park+tire+boot

Gladius

I downsized to this one:

I essentially carry what you listed above: spare tube, one CO2, inflator (planet zep red), one tire lever (I think it's a kool-stop, only need one from the set of 3), a small multitool, a small piece of old tire (as a boot in case of sidewall failure, although you could get away with a few dollar bills instead), and a small pack of slime skab tire patches. All of that fits in the pack. I think this is the right one:
https://www.bikebagshop.com/timbuk2-...ck-p-2987.html

dalava

Minimal contents:
- spare tube
- 1 CO2 cartridge
- Lezyne Control Drive cartridge head (the best thing ever)
- 2 tire levers
- small multi-tool (only for adjustments, so allen keys are probably sufficient)
- a quick chain link, e.g. KMC's MissingLink
- a pair of latex gloves (from your doctor's office when you are left alone waiting

Personally I don't use a saddle bag. I use a storage bottle, and stick it in the bottle cage on the seattube.

GP 

Tube, boot, patches, tire lever w/duct tape wrapped around it, CO2 inflator and cartridge and multi tool.

inspclouseau

Thanks all. great post & pics on the Lezyne Road Caddy
I think I am sold.

I am a bit of a timbuk2 junky though and do like that bag as well. The jand looks good, I may have to pick one of those up for my mtb that I use when tooling around with the fam.

RPK79

I have what I need to fix two flats and loosen and tighten bolts. Anything requiring more out of me than that I'm making the call.

rpenmanparker 

Big LBSs have a selection of multi-tools to choose from. It's worth a couple of bucks extra to look through all the features close up and make a first hand decision which one is best for you.

merlinextraligh

Definitely ditch the pressure gauge.

Using C02 cartridges on the road, the correct pressure is all the pressure you can get out of a 16g cartridge. It is what it is. No reason to measure it.

RPK79

I use 12g cartridges so I'm extra safe.

TrojanHorse

I'm rethinking my saddle bag too and the small timbuktoo is going on shortly instead of the larger one I have now. I think I've used one allen wrench one time in 6 years of owning the park ibeam 2, so that's just going to go in my helmet bag for pre-ride adjustments. If I'm going on a shakedown cruise for any new or adjusted items, i'll just bring it that one time.

two tire levers (never needed more than 1 but hey, they nest), 1 tube, patch kit, tire boot and CO2.

I should probably think of some additions for rides that are known to be out of cell coverage.

TimothyH

In some cases it makes sense to ditch the multi tool all together and just carry the wrenches you need. Those things are like bricks and wind up never using half the stuff on it. I don't carry a spoke wrench, pressure gauge, chain tool or any kind of multi tool. Chains are changed proactively on my bike and my road bikes have all had KMC Missing Link instead of master link for close to 15 years.

Fixed gear bikes with track bolts will need a 15mm "peanut butter" wrench which doubles as a tire lever.

Do riders with disx breaks need torx? I don't have disxs so don't know/worry about it.

The only thing else I can think of is a tiny phillips head for gear adjustments.

XLAB Mini and Mezzo are excellent bags.
Mini Bag
Mezzo Bag

wphamilton

I also carry a chain tool, spoke wrench and zip-ties. I've gone back and forth: you almost never need them, but in the end it comes down to "why not". And if you ever use the quick-link, wouldn't you need the chain tool anyway?

inspclouseau

I like the idea of just carrying the Allen keys themselves. Seems to make sense. As someone said, anything more than that and making that call

Seattle Forrest

I don't know which one I have. I got the cheapest bag that fit everything I needed. I like to carry two CO2 cartridges, I had a dud once. I also carry a Garmin Tempe in mine but that's because I record my rides with a watch.

series1811

I go pretty light on my travel bag. I carry a new tube, CO2 cartridge, Lezyne speed trigger inflator, KMC missing link, compact Syncros folding tool, presta/Schrader adapter, this light and $20. It all fits nicely in a Syncros speed 230 bag (12.5 x 3.5 x 6.5 cm). I keep my phone and snacks in my jersey pockets. The light has been nice to have on those rides when I misjudge how long I will be out and run out of daylight.

inspclouseau

Thanks all for the replies. I love one click shopping on Amazon. The Lezyne road caddie will be here Sunday.

merlinextraligh

Lezyne V5 gives you 3,4,5,6, and a Philips head. Weighs 50 grams, and is tiny. Likely as light at 3 regular sized allen wrenches, and handy having it all together.

StanSeven

I like living on the edge.

I have a tiny Arundel pouch with a tube, patches, lever, and CO2.

TimothyH

One thing to keep in mind is that good maintenance means you are less likely to need a tool.

I live alone with no family nearby to call. That means that all my bikes are maintained. Tires inspected for cuts and replaced when worn, chains and brake cables replaced proactively, etc.


That's a good looking bag. I generally prefer a clip instead of velcro closure but I might try one.

Thanks for the recommendation.

I have been on a fixed-gear kick for a while and don't think that it has a 6mm bolt anywhere on it, certainly no Philips anywhere. My wheels don't even have 15mm track nuts but 5mm bolts.

But yeah, that V5 is nice and small. Lezyne seems to get it. I may have to grab one of those. Can't go wrong for that price.

Herbie53

this.. 2 x CO2, inflator, tube, tire levers, patch kit, boot from a dead tire, and a micro tool

MagicHour

Same here- with the addition of an extra CO2 cartridge, Lezyne V5 multi-tool I like better, + my keys. And sold the fixie so I don't need the nut wrench either.

I stopped carrying the 11spd missing link, because it's tough/impossible to remove or install without a proper plier, and besides if I break a chain I'll probably have bigger issues accompanying it like a snapped hanger etc.

by ,

JohnnyCyclist

No mention of using a bottle/bottle cage? Elite even makes a 'special' configuration that isn't actually a water bottle; it's designed to hold a tube, pump, etc.

When I go on short rides (or can re-fill one bottle), I go this route.

redfooj

Small bag enough to hold a 400w hamer