|
|
Chances are that if you are riding your bike casually or just around your neighborhood with your kids, you'll never need a tool kit. You'll never be so far away that you can't simply walk the bike home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are differing ideas of what constitutes a BASIC tool kit, and what constitutes the deluxe edition. If you don't want to be a burden on the group you ride with, or to your family at home by making them drive out to pick you up, a Multi-tool, Pump, Money, and Patch Kit will get you through most problems. Everything else can be an add on, unless of course you're an old man like me and need your creature comforts. Hey I don't care about the weight, I'm not Lance Armstrong and I ain't racing so I bring all this stuff!
|
|
|
|
|
Pump:
I use both the larger size spring loaded one that fits inside the frame of the bike, and when I am lazy the smaller "mountain bike" style about the same length as the average water bottle. Now there is a reason the shorty pumps are used on Mountain bikes. Their tires are lower pressure! Every time I have been on a ride with folks who flatted their road bike and they had a shorty pump with them, they invariably borrowed my full size pump to take their tire closer to road tire pressures. So my advice, if you ride a road bike get a frame sized pump! CO2 pumps can be a time saver but sometimes they are unreliable so always carry a manual pump as well.
|
|
|
|
|
Tire levers:
OK if you are Andre the Giant, you can muscle your tire off the rim with your bare hands, but tire irons do it a lot quicker. The plastic nesting ones take up almost no space, weigh nothing, and work much better than the ones on your multi tool. Carry them along. They are really a must have!
|
|
|
|
|
Spare tubes:
Never leave home without them! Yes you can patch a tube, but when it is freezing or raining, or you are barely keeping pace with the peloton, rip out the tube with the hole, check the tire for imbedded objects and fire off with the new tube. I carry heavy tubes for replacement on the road to help resist re-punctures, but some folks carry lite or race tubes. Suit yourself!
|
|
|
|
|
Patch kits:
The ones you see here are glueless quick patches. I use the old fashioned ones, Dan uses quick self adhesive redi-patches. What ever kind you use make certain to get a new kit every season. The glue will dry out on both kinds after a summer in the sun. Check the "Fixing Flats on The Go" article under New Articles for tips on flat repairs
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-Tool:
Pictured here is the Topeak Alien, but any decent multi-tool will do. OK so what is a multi tool? The easier question is what is it not? OK off the top of my head it is a/an: Allen Wrench set, tire irons (poorest tool of the set carry regular ones), knife/saw, open end wrench, chain tool, Torx screwdriver, screwdriver, bottle opener, Spoke Wrenches, pedal wrench.
|
|
|
|
|
Cable ties:
Use for everything from keeping baggy cuffs out of your chain ring to holding the wheel in the dropouts (not recommended). You can use a cable tie to repair the world, unless of course you left them home.
|
|
|
|
|
Tube sections:
The primary reason I carry pieces of old inner tubes is for repairs of the side wall of a tire. You can patch a tube, but a sidewall blow out is almost a guaranteed trip on the sag wagon. Unless you are lucky enough to have a section of old inner tube to put over the hole in the sidewall (inside). Then insert a new tube, inflate with a reduced pressure, and ride off slow and easy, and maybe you can make it to the next pit without sagging!
|
|
|
|
|
Map:
It is possible to get lost, even on a supported ride. Although on a supported ride with sag services, you generally have a number you can call to get help, but if you are on your own, having a map really helps. Even if all you want it for is site seeing highlights!
|
|
|
|
|
Medicine:
Now Dan took out my plastic film can and replaced it with a nice pill box, but I carry vitamins, antacids, immodium, glucosamine, aspirin, and ibuprophen in my handlebar bag. This way if I am on a multi-day event and I am sore, I have what I need. If the Gatorade chews a hole in my stomach out around Speonk, I can toss some Tums and I am good to go! Sure you can buy the stuff on the roadside, but I don't even have to stop...
|
|
|
|
|
Real Money:
I keep a stash of folding money in the zipper part on the bottom of the seat bag. This can go a long way to helping you out on the road if your wallet is stashed in your duffle bag on the support truck and you just shredded a tire between pits. Finding the bike store won't help if you have no way to pay! It is also said that a folded dollar bill will also patch a tire sidewall hole in a pinch!
|
|
|
|
|
Spare change:
OK pay toilets, phone calls, soda machines, other vending needs, pitching pennies during a pit, it just makes sense, toss some somewhere in your kit. I keep mine in an old tire patch kit box along with spare tire valve caps and nuts. Some folks say you don't need caps on your valves, but I find that they keep out road dirt that can jam your valve open just enough to make you flat.
|
|
|
|
|
Raisins:
Or other dried fruit! Bonking, aka sugar crashing is a real threat to a cyclist. Pedaling away all your sugar between pits or heading home against the wind definitely sucks. Since raisins are already dried, leaving a box in your handle bar bag won't make them too much grosser after baking in the sun. If you bonk you'll be surprised how tasty they can be even if they are rock hard. Just swap em out every now and again.
|
|
|
|
|
Cell Phone:
Ok I hate them too! I do not leave mine on when riding because this is my "Quiet Time." Never even think about using your cell phone while riding! But, I have had face plants while riding, and you will too. Having a cellphone could save your life in the event of a serious accident. Bring it along, but leave it alone unless you are off you bike, especially if you ride with me!
|
|
|
|
|
Bag Balm:
OK what the heck is Bag Balm? Well it is a product from the dairy trade! It is still used today to treat cows Udders for chaffing. Farmers found that the product made even their rough hands feel smooth and soft. The product is practically pure lanolin. Now what purpose could you see for this product? When you ride your first couple of back-to-back high mileage days, you'll be begging for some bag balm to sooth certain tender areas!
|
