biketownblogger

If you could choose to bring only 3-5 tools along with you on rides for a breakdown, what are they? Which tools are a "must" to carry with you. I know a spare tube and pump are a given, for me anyhow, so let's not include those. I've not ever carried tools with me yet and am in the process of setting up a little portable kit to take along. I've been extremely fortunate not to have a road breakdown as of yet, but I know my days are numbered....I can't continue to be foolish and not have something to help me out in a bind, but don't want to carry something I'm not likely to need. The longer my rides get, the more I don't want to see myself walking

My list so far, and includes stuff I can use/fits both my road bike and hybrid:

pliers
allen wrenches
zip ties
phillips screwdriver

then the pump and tube, what am I missing?

catatonic

For me:
Tools:
Tire levers, Leatherman PST II, allen keys of the sizes found on my bike, Topeak Road Morph pump.

Stuffs:
Spare tube, $2 in assorted change (just in case cellphone breaks or pump fials and I have to use a gas station pump, etc), Cellphone, GelPacks (In case I need a little pick me up).

TheKillerPenguin

I carry nothing other than a c02 refiller and a tube, and even those I only carry a fraction of the time.

twahl

Multi-tool includes several allen wrench sizes and a phillips and straight blade screwdriver tips
Tire levers
patch kit (just in case I have a bad tube day)

I generally carry 2 tubes, and a Road Morph. Since I put my Michelin tires on, I've only changed tubes for other people.

ivan_yulaev

So, I bring a pump (obviously) Not one of those dinky minipumps, but a regular, presta-head frame pump, with alloy tube.

In my seatbag (nashbar fly bag, super nice and well-shaped!) I have
1. 3 Tire levers
2. Spare tube
3. Allen wrench tool ($4 at the local Kragen)
4. Chain Tool
5. Spoke Wrench
6. Phillip driver
7. Two glueless patches (no space, nor time, for regular ones. These are super-emergency use only)

The only flat I've had, other than the time my tires got diced in a pretty bad crash, was a pinch-flat on the way home. Very minor, I only noticed it the next morning.

catatonic

Yep I can say I've never flatted. I just carry the pump anyways, since I feel the day I stop carrying it, I will flat.

tribe3

The only day I didn't take anything with me (last week) my chain broke open on my new bike 8 miles from home. A very nice lady helped me 15 or 20 minutes later as I was walking back.
I usually take a topeak Alien, tube and the road morph.

The only thing I see you are missing is the chain tool. leave the pliers home

khuon

The following are things I carry with me when roadbiking. Some of these may or may not be applicable to your situation.

• One or two (depending on length of ride) 24oz. water bottles
• SKS Airgun - CO2 inflation system with spare cartridge
  
  
• Spare spokes shoved into seatpost
  
• Topeak Aero Wedge (small) Saddlepack
  packed with
  • Spare tube in its own little compartment
    
  • Park VP-1 patchkit
    
  • Crank Brothers Speed Lever extendable tyre levers
    
  • Presta-Schrader valve adapter
  • Spare links including spare removable ConneX-Link for my chain
    
  • Small bottle of DuMonde Tech Lite
    
  • Topeak Alien minitool
    
  • Special Mavic spoke tools because I have non-standard spokes
    
  • Kryptonite Gear Gripper lightweight retractable cord lock
    
• In my bike jersey pockets
  • mini-wallet with ID, credit card, debit card and small amount of cash
    
  • FA-112 First-Aid Kit
    
  • Minolta DiMage X digital camera with spare battery
    
  • Speedplay Coffee Shop Caps cleat covers for my clipless pedal cleats on my shoes
    
    
    If I don't need a second water bottle, I'll put some of the following things inside a bottle cage insert I got from one of the local club rides. If I do need the second bottle then I'll just redistribute these items amongst my jersey pockets.
    
    
    
    
  • A couple of plastic Ziploc bags to seal things against rain
  • Small bottle of sunscreen (SPF48)
  • Contact case
  • Rewetting drops for eyes
  • Rx insert (in microfiber sleeve for wiping off lens) for sunglasses in case I need to ditch my contacts
  • Clear lenses for sunglasses in case lighting conditions change
  • Arm warmers/leg warmers or lightweight Tyvek jacket (folded in on itself so it's very compact) depending on weather conditions
    
  • small mobile phone (Audiovox SMT5600)
    
  • A couple of energy bars
  • compact map (if I don't know the area well) or route-map (organised ride)

Curiously enough, even with all this stuff crammed into my pockets, I still have quite a bit of room for other small things. If I think I'll really be far away from civilisation or riding where water stops aren't plentiful then I'll drag along a CamelBak Lobo and reapportion everything appropriately. I've however been able to get away with 100-120 miles without one so far.

But on really long unsupported road rides (>100mi) and on all mountain bike rides, I'll use a CamelBak MULE.


In it typically contains the following additions to the above list:

• 100 oz. hydration bladder
• Topeak minipump (with patchkit in handle and built-in tyre-lever)
  
• Topeak pressure gauge
  
• additional spare tubes
• two spare 9V batteries for my shocks (K2 SmartShocks - MTB only)
• mini-tripod for digital camera
  
• replacement/spare derailleur hanger
  
• spare seatpost clamp
  
• a couple of zip-ties
• small roll of electrical tape
• small roll of toilet paper in plastic ziploc bag

And of course if I think I'll be riding into the night, I'll have the lights and blinkers along too.





And if I need extra room, I also will use a couple of Bento Boxes.

TheKillerPenguin

I think you fit more onto your bike than I can fit into my car!

tribe3

Khuon!!??? .... have you considered night vision, gps, a tent??

I'm impressed

Man_Hating

Khuon has made the most complete post in bikeforums.net history. Khuon, please come to the podium to collect your prize.

twahl

Khuon has to have a CF frame. Otherwise his bike would weigh more than he does.

catatonic

All Khuon needs now is a smoke screen and oil slick sprayer to have the ultimate james bond bike

jeff800

Khuon...James Khuon... Licensed to carry a lot of stuff! Wow. Bike weight before 16.5lbs...bike weight after Khuon gets it 25.5lbs. Well at least you will be ready for most anything short of a nuclear attack.

khuon

You guys are hilarious. Actually it all packs in pretty nice and compact. However, I once signed up for a post-ride massage during an organised ride and once I got onto the table and the masseuse went to work, all my gear came spilling out of my jersey pockets creating a pretty funny yard sale.

my58vw

I am minamlist at work...

I carry,

1. Ultralite 48 mm stemed tube in box (very little room in bad). A specilized mini tool, a spoke wrench, minichain tool, cellphone, change, glueless patchkit and on the bike, the roadmorph pump. It has gotten me out of enough jams...

53-11_alltheway

That's a good kit.

If I were riding some low spoke count wheels (paired spoke Rolfs, etc) long distance I'd also might carry a chainwhip/ockring tool/little wrench just in case I had to replace a driveside spoke. Of course, I'd carry extra spokes too.

Most 32 spoke wheels you shouldn't ever need to carry a lockring removal tool or chainwhip unless you were doing loaded touring and you were out in the middle of nowhere.

aadhils

Hehe khuon, if a thief pick pockets you, he'll lift up quite a haul.

I just carry two spare tubes in compact boxes, seven batteries cause I do alot of night riding, a tool kit which includes a spoke wrence, three sizes of allen wrenches, patch and glue kit, two tire levers, and a chain tool.

biketownblogger

That was awesome Khuon! A whole catalog! Just...Dang!

Thanks everyone for your answers so far.

DieselDan

5 tools only?

Frame pump
tire lever
5mm hex
6mm hex
spoke wrench

531Aussie

jeeez, all I carry is puncture stuff and a 5mm hex, which is really only for emergency seat height adjustments, but there are also twenty-five 5mm hex bolts on my bike

I used to carry more, but then I realized that I hadn't used any of it for about 2 years, so got rid of it all, and now make sure my bike is properly maintained

suntreader

khuon...

No satellite dish?

khuon

I keep that in a special place.

Patriot

I carry a spare tube, levers, multi-tool, set of allens, and my new CO2 inflator with pump in one. It is such a neat little device.

https://www.glorycycles.com/baviairpu.html

Holy smokes khuon. On long rides, I just take a cell phone and call the wife if anything serious happens. You got everything but the kitchen sink in there.

gabdy

Everything I carry on my bike for every ride is as follows:-

Spare tube X 1
Schwinn Multi Tool 32 functions, Allens, Spoke tool, screw drivers, wrenches, blade
Tyre Lever X 3 - you never know when 1 will break.
Puncture repair - Glueless
Gel Packs X 4
Pump
Cash
Cell phone
Cable ties X 5
ID
600ml water bottles X 2 - 1 with water and 1 with gatorade

Everything fits snuggly into my small saddle bag, with the exception of water bottles and cell phone