What Tools Do You Carry for Bike Repair When You Ride? * * * (Update)* * *

A while back a fellow cyclist stopped me to ask if I had some tools(I had my bag on the bike)so he could adjust things on his road bike. Seat tightening & etc. He carried NO tools at all ! No backpack, nothing. He became a bit unhappy because I could not totally help him with the tools I had. He 'thanked' me, and then moved on. So, basically, what tools and supplies should a cyclist ALWAYS carry ?


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Permalink Reply by SixtyTwoPercent on November 26, 2014 at 3:47am

Zip. I like to stay light as I can commuting (I carry food for day, clothes, etc.)

If the bike fails, I have been known to push it the rest of the way and leave it at work until I can reclaim it.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on November 26, 2014 at 4:29am

It works every time, why buy something new 


David Altenburg said:

For me, reusability trumps weight and speed at which I can change a tire. 

rwein5 said:

I'm amazed that anyone still uses a hand pump for on-the-go air needs anymore.

They are so vastly inferior to CO2 cartridges on almost every metric, including size, max pressure, speed, etc etc etc.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on November 26, 2014 at 4:34am

A few times.  After an accident, or just being loose after 1000's of miles on many different surfaces.  I can't believe i'm even answering that question.  Bikes need maintenance, if you use them. 

Duppie said:

How often does your headset loosen in the middle of a commute?

Apie (10.6) said:

This: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-MT-1-Rescue-Wrench/dp/B000OZ9WTQ/re...

2 tubes (in case I have another flat on the way home)

a pump.

2 tire levers

You can zip tie or rubber band it all together.  If I am going on a longer ride I bring a patch kit and a phillips.  If my chain breaks?  My ride is over.

If you have a long commute, its a lot quicker to have an allen key and tighten your headset or brakes then taking the bus.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 26, 2014 at 4:36am

Gloves - good item to have for keeping your hands clean if there's a chain or derailleur issue.  When I use them up, too often I forget to replace them.
 
Tandemonium said:

hand pump (presta & schrader)

zip ties, several in assorted sizes

small roll of duct tape

latex gloves

Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on November 26, 2014 at 5:46am

Honestly, I really don't think about my pump. I threw it in my pannier a couple years ago and have pulled it out a couple times to help other cyclists with flats (I run Marathon Pluses and haven't actually needed it for myself). Other than that, I give it zero thought. Pretty much the exact opposite of an obsession. 

If my tire situation were different (skinnier, lighter, higher psi, more prone to flats), I'd probably feel differently. 

Other than that, my repair kit is similar to others here: a couple extra tubes, some patches, tire levers, a multi-tool w/ hex and phillips heads, a 15mm wrench (useless for my bike, but handy for helping others).


rwein5 said:

"Works".

I have never, ever been able to get my tire back to my preferred riding pressure (~110 psi) when using a hand pump. When you consider it takes a CO2 cartridge ~3 seconds to achieve this, it's a no brainer. The obsession with old-fashioned and out-dated technology is fascinating. 

Apie (10.6) said:

It works every time, why buy something new 


David Altenburg said:

For me, reusability trumps weight and speed at which I can change a tire. 

rwein5 said:

I'm amazed that anyone still uses a hand pump for on-the-go air needs anymore.

They are so vastly inferior to CO2 cartridges on almost every metric, including size, max pressure, speed, etc etc etc.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on November 26, 2014 at 7:41am

Bikes absolutely require maintenance. But what you describe is corrective maintenance. It is done after the failure (loose headset) happened.

Periodic preventive maintenance will minimize the occurrence of unexpected failures. I put all my bikes on the stand yearly (or more often if I use it alot), and check out all areas I know. Check the tightness of screws, and adjust if needed. It all takes but a few minutes each time.

As a result, I cannot remember the last time I had a failure that required roadside repair during my commute. (one exception of course being a flat tire, which even with the best maintenance is sometimes unpreventable).

That is why I don't carry any tools. I have found no need for them. And when I get a flat, the CTA is a more than adequate backup for me.

Apie (10.6) said:

A few times.  After an accident, or just being loose after 1000's of miles on many different surfaces.  I can't believe i'm even answering that question.  Bikes need maintenance, if you use them. 

Duppie said:

How often does your headset loosen in the middle of a commute?

Apie (10.6) said:

This: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-MT-1-Rescue-Wrench/dp/B000OZ9WTQ/re...

2 tubes (in case I have another flat on the way home)

a pump.

2 tire levers

You can zip tie or rubber band it all together.  If I am going on a longer ride I bring a patch kit and a phillips.  If my chain breaks?  My ride is over.

If you have a long commute, its a lot quicker to have an allen key and tighten your headset or brakes then taking the bus.

Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on November 26, 2014 at 8:12am


I love my Topeak Road Morph pump. It's got a gauge, gets up over 100psi without breaking your will, and it lasts and lasts. I've had mine for 6 years or so and only had to buy the $7.00 overhaul kit once to replace a gasket. Superior in every way to those fake nitrous oxide whippets.


rwein5 said:

I'm amazed that anyone still uses a hand pump for on-the-go air needs anymore.

They are so vastly inferior to CO2 cartridges on almost every metric, including size, max pressure, speed, etc etc etc.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on November 26, 2014 at 8:19am

Take the CTA.  Don't carry tools.  Work on your bikes once a year.   I accept whatever you do.   I put my bike on the stand weekly, and carry tools with me.  I ride 500+ miles monthly and I will do maintenance where or whenever it is needed, using a hand pump when I get a flat.   


Duppie said:

Bikes absolutely require maintenance. But what you describe is corrective maintenance. It is done after the failure (loose headset) happened.

Periodic preventive maintenance will minimize the occurrence of unexpected failures. I put all my bikes on the stand yearly (or more often if I use it alot), and check out all areas I know. Check the tightness of screws, and adjust if needed. It all takes but a few minutes each time.

As a result, I cannot remember the last time I had a failure that required roadside repair during my commute. (one exception of course being a flat tire, which even with the best maintenance is sometimes unpreventable).

That is why I don't carry any tools. I have found no need for them. And when I get a flat, the CTA is a more than adequate backup for me.

Apie (10.6) said:

A few times.  After an accident, or just being loose after 1000's of miles on many different surfaces.  I can't believe i'm even answering that question.  Bikes need maintenance, if you use them. 

Duppie said:

How often does your headset loosen in the middle of a commute?

Apie (10.6) said:

This: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-MT-1-Rescue-Wrench/dp/B000OZ9WTQ/re...

2 tubes (in case I have another flat on the way home)

a pump.

2 tire levers

You can zip tie or rubber band it all together.  If I am going on a longer ride I bring a patch kit and a phillips.  If my chain breaks?  My ride is over.

If you have a long commute, its a lot quicker to have an allen key and tighten your headset or brakes then taking the bus.

Permalink Reply by David Simmons on November 26, 2014 at 8:21am

I always carry a multi-tool, spare tube(s), frame pump, tire levers, and first aid kit. The first aid kit has come in handy at least a half dozen times for folks that have crashed (fortunately not me!). A cell phone, ID, and some cash is a good idea too!

Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on November 26, 2014 at 8:36am

Add to the list:

 

SS/Fixed Gear v. Geared

Chain v. Belt Drive

Rim v. Disc Brakes

Clips v. Clipless

Steel Frame v. Carbon

Brooks v. Everything Else

Pneumatic Tires v. Airless

Upright v. Recumbent

Human v. E-assist

Blinkies v. Dyno-hubs

Mechanical Odometer v. Strava

Friction v. Electric Shifters

Spoked Wheels v. Aerojokes

 

Add up how many things you have on the left side and right side and tell us which you have more of.


 
rwein5 said:

"Works".

I have never, ever been able to get my tire back to my preferred riding pressure (~110 psi) when using a hand pump. When you consider it takes a CO2 cartridge ~3 seconds to achieve this, it's a no brainer. The obsession with old-fashioned and out-dated technology is fascinating. 

Apie (10.6) said:

It works every time, why buy something new 


David Altenburg said:

For me, reusability trumps weight and speed at which I can change a tire. 

rwein5 said:

I'm amazed that anyone still uses a hand pump for on-the-go air needs anymore.

They are so vastly inferior to CO2 cartridges on almost every metric, including size, max pressure, speed, etc etc etc.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on November 26, 2014 at 9:06am

The obsession of throwing out old things and buying new things for the sake of saving time and spending money is disgusting.  

Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on November 26, 2014 at 9:33am

Those little bullet-shaped canisters with the pressurized CO2--same container used for nitrous oxide to recharge whipped cream dispensers. Known as "whippets" or "hippie crack" the Nitrous Oxide is discharged into a balloon and inhaled for purposes of intoxication. CO2 is no fun that way, though.

rwein5 said:

David of the North (David606xx) said:


Superior in every way to those fake nitrous oxide whippets.

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