And you definitely should be able to replace the screws holding your cleats to your shoes.

In all reasonableness, most riders in most areas should be able to fix a flat. Being able to adjust derailleurs and brakes to a certain level is of course a very useful skill as well, but it's a long uphill battle to get a lot of people to attempt to touch the things. And who wants to take away work from bike shops anyways...

I've had every poll I tried to create since the upgrade fail whether I use IE or FF. Something's going on with the new software.

I'd say (3). Flats might be the most common problem, but (3) requires you to understand a little bit about how your cables work which is very useful in a wide variety of situations. For example, such a person will be able to adjust their brakes so a wobbly wheel doesn't grab the brake or use the limit screws to allow themselves to ride in a reasonable gear if the shift cable breaks.

Phones are great, but there are a lot of areas with no coverage, particularly in mountains. Plus, you have to wait. Much better to help yourself within minutes than be 30 miles out where it will take someone a while to find them even if you can reach them on the phone.

I'd like to say: (1) a pulse; and (2) at least a room temperature IQ. But that would fundamentally alter the character of BF, so we'd probably best stick with (1).

I think the minimum is being able to fix a flat. The next is knowing how to fix an out of true wheel in case you hit a pothole and/or break a spoke.

How often is it necessary to true your wheel while you are out riding?

i didnt even bother mentioning things that are just bolt tightening, loose caliper, loose stem (albeit, setting the bearing takes some knowledge but not imperative in an emergency), tightening cleats. this is basic righty tighty lefty loosey things and if you can't do it you really should be out in the world on your own, even on foot.

If you're talking about minimum competency DURING a ride, then I'd say (in order of priority):

1) Fix flat, no excuses for not being able to do this.

2) Fix broken chain - the tool is tiny, and it's really quite easy once you know how. I've never had to on a road ride, but I've fixed many chains during MTB rides.

3) Tighten loose bolts that hold on critical parts. Like the saddle. You can ride without one, but it's not much fun.

4) Use barrel adjusters for minor shifting and brake adjustment.

You can do all that with a good multi tool, a patch kit, and a mini pump. If you ride in MTB shorts with cargo pockets you can fit it all in one pocket.

If you can do #1-7, you'll never be at the mercy of clueless bike shop mechanics. I took it once step further, though: bought a TIG welder and learned to build frames from the ground up. After doing that, the rest seemed like child's play...

I thought the question was asking what someone on a ride needs to be able to do. If you're building frames while you're out on a ride, you're Batman.

I don't mean really truing it, just straighten it as much as possible and open the brake so it doesn't rub. Happened to me once when a spoke broke and a couple of times to friends who hit potholes.

self depricating reference to a previous bad experience.

yea i was going to bring it up in jest but didnt know if it was a sore spot.

No, the bruise on my foot's pretty much healed now.

Just need to know enough to get yourself home, however you do that. Me, virtually nothing on a bike I cannot do, but way back when, bikes were not as reliable as they are now. I have even had a free wheel unscrew and dump the berings. That one had me hitching a ride home, now I know it can be fixed with a shoelace as a temporary bushing.

i usually carry a workbench and vise with me on my rides, just in case i need it

what jefferee said: "fix flats, tune derailleurs (and brakes)"

which reminds me ~ I used to do some hiring; training and managing in an imaging dept. and we had some machines that most people weren't familiar with. one of my interview questions was: "can you change a spare tire on your car" I figured of they could do that then I could train them on this equipment.

Fortunately for all our LBS's there are still people that need to pay to have their flats and other minor things fixed. They no doubt account for a good portion of repair shop business.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I don't know much about adjusting derailleurs/shifters, changing cassettes or really anything to do with geared bikes. I'm working on it, but I've only been working on ss/fg bikes since I started doing repairs myself.

I carry all of my vices on every ride I do.

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none. but there are also no get-out-of-ridicule cards issued.

McGyver

I've had to do this twice, when a rear spoke broke and threw the now wobbly wheel into the brakes.

Well, actually, the first time it happened, I didn't have the spoke wrench and had to ride the 5 or so miles home with the rear brake rubbing in a very annoying manner. That's why the second time it happened, I had the spoke wrench and was able to straighten the wheel enough to finish the ride.

Since that spoke broke 30 miles into a very hilly century, I was able to ride the last 70 on that gerrymandered wheel. The 40mph descents were a little nerve-wracking, but having to quit would have been far worse.

I think everyone should be able to fix a flat, and carry the stuff to do it. I've considered leaving people who don't do that. Personally, I can do most things on the OP's list, but wouldn't want to build/true a wheel from scratch. Funny thing is, while I carry a small collection of tools on every ride, but no chain tool. Maybe I just haven't found a small enough chain-tool for the Campy ultra-narrow chain.

A broken chain on a ride is my Waterloo.

I'd say fix a flat and carry a cell phone at a minimum. Other scenerios are far less likely, but they could leave you stranded: bent wheel, broken chain, etc.

There is obviously no minimum skill required to post on BF.

I carried a chain tool for years before deciding I just didn't need it since I was light and low power, so I would probably never break a chain. About a year later, I dropped my chain and got it stuck in the crank arm while trying to pedal it back on (fast group ride, I didn't want to get dropped). That kinked 2 links in the chain and I had to borrow someone's tool. Now I have the Pedro's multi-tool that includes a chain tool and tire lever in it. Although a bulky and heavy tool, it actually takes up less space than supplementing a smaller one with a seperate chain tool and tire levers.

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