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Post by brianbutler on Apr 4, 2021 13:00:22 GMT
I've had to be rescued by my wife twice in the past week because I did not have the right items to fix two different problems. First, a valve blew out of the rear tube. I had a spare tube but it would not inflate. I thought the problem was the pump and bailed out. I was only a mile from home and should have walked it but I bailed out and called for a ride. When I git home I discovered that the space tube had a hole rubbed it in from a multi tool. I could have fixed it with a patch had I known but, again, I was only a mile from home and it was close to freezing.
The next incident happened yesterday about 20 miles into a ride and 7 miles from home. My chain skipped a couple of times, probably because I have lately been thinking about skipping chains. Several hundred meters farther along the chain broke (at the missing link). I retraced looking for the missing parts (small gray parts against a background of the pavement and gravel) but no luck so I had to call for a ride again.
That last time I broke a chain was in 1981 and after that I carried a small chain tool for many years but did not have one this time. I do now.
My current kit is as follows:
Pump that has been tested Two plastic tire levers
Patch kit with patches, cement, and sandpaper. Self adhesive patches (not good for long term but indispensable when the rubber cement has dried up in the tube.) Spare tube (now wrapped and isolated from tools)
Dollar bill and length of duct tape to fashion a tire boot for tire casing damage. Chain tool Spoke wrench Multi-tool Cell phone (replacing the dime I used to carry for a phone call and doubled as a screwdriver) AAA (American Automobile Association) membership card, which provides bicycle roadside assistance in New England, NYC, and Long Island.
Assuming I don't want to use the last two items, what else should be in the kit?
Brian
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Post by franco on Apr 4, 2021 15:01:01 GMT
My kit is similar on the road bike but I’ve also got a small adjustable spanner due to older bikes having a lot of nuts and bolts. I’d add in a chain quick link if you don’t carry one.
Here’s the contents of my saddle bag:
Pump
Multi tool
Two tyre levers
Full patch kit
Spare inner tube
Adjustable spanner
Chain tool and a quick link
Reading specs!
I have my mobile phone on me as well.
Not had any major disasters too far out. I had an old chain snap but I was only a mile away from home so walked it back, the other one was the chain slipped off the largest cog and snapped a spoke. That was on a test ride of a bike I was refurbishing and my own fault for not double checking the limit screws, three miles out so walked it to the LBS for a spare spoke with a red face.
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Post by wheelson on Apr 4, 2021 16:12:35 GMT
My kit is much the same, all of the above. I will add allen (hex) wrenches either not appearing on the multi-tool or if the ones on the multi-tool won't fit into a given spot (such as under the saddle or such). Also, make sure the wrenches are of the appropriate fit, metric or inch fractional. I have a small wrench that is 15mm on one end and 32mm on the other for pedals and the headset. Splurge on a good multi-tool that has a chain tool on board. Carry at least one chain connector, I always manage to drop and lose a half of one. A good tire boot material is a recycled Tyvek mailing bag such as the USPS Priority bags here in the States. One or more latex gloves. A spare tube with a light dusting of talcum powder in a ziploc bag, wrapped in that Tyvek strip for added unwanted in-the-bag punctures. The dollar bill boot works, I've used that one before, also good for emergency snacks when the sugar level drops too low. Wrenches to fit anything on the bike and not provided by the multi-tool. Multiples for some locations like brake cable anchors. A tiny adjustable wrench instead of multiples? A small collection of nuts and bolts to replace things that might escape your "preflight" check, especially if you're running racks and mudguards. A pump capable of Presta or Shrader or an adapter (especially helpful if you're riding with others). More water than you think you'll need. A small amount of t.paper in a ziploc bag, well just in case.
The cell phone is a must, mandated by Mrs.W since I often ride alone and have a history of mishaps. Speaking of riding alone or with others, keep in mind that if you're the "senior" participant (and I mean in bike knowledge), you may well be expected to help support the bike needs of others. I often carry two spare tubes for that reason and have been known to give one to a stranger in need. I feel that since I'm a bike mechanic by trade, I'm almost obligated to stop and render aid if needed. (It all comes back, my son was once 30 miles out on an organized ride, flatted, and remembered he had left his pump, tools, and spares in his car. The generosity of a stranger saved his day). I guess I overpack but in my 73rd year I'm really not into pushing a bike around for great distances!
Speaking of "preflight" checks, things like checking pedal and crankarm tightness (those modern allen hex crankarm bolts make this a breeze), brake pads for slippage, and giving the wheels a quick visual spin will save on-the-road grief. I usually give the bike a light bounce to uncover any unusual rattles.
Best,
John "wheelson"
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on Apr 5, 2021 10:56:49 GMT
Pretty much the same (see below) but if I am just town riding or not many miles from home then sometimes nothing. I think it might be quicker to push the bike home than fix a puncture on the side of a busy road. tube x1 levers x3 box spanner 2 allen keys small flat roll of gorilla tape small tin with patches and glue and then my 'always have with me multi tool', the leatherman Squirt P4 with a length of paracord, saved me in many situations. On much longer rides I have been known to take adjustable spanners and mole grips etc. If hiking I take a steel flint striker and a longer length of that paracord which has 6 inner strands, one of them being a waxed paraffin one for fire lighting  IMG_6570 by
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Post by franco on Apr 5, 2021 14:44:37 GMT
Same here for town riding, the only things I carry is a pump and combination lock.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 5, 2021 21:01:03 GMT
My normal seat bag contents are shown plus my little key chain thingies. Other than the obvious, my cycling key chain has a Presta valve adapter (bullet like thing) and a little tool (orange thing) for tightening Presta valves. I buy tubes in bulk so I put my spare in an old box for protection; the box shown is maybe 30 years old. I have a different kit for my older bikes that has some hex wrenches. If I am going somewhere remote I add a pump. A solid pre-ride inspection helps me avoid most surprises.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 5, 2021 22:01:48 GMT
Jim - what is the brass coloured one at the bottom of your keychain? Is a waterproof container for currency note?
Jem
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 5, 2021 23:23:36 GMT
Jim - what is the brass coloured one at the bottom of your keychain? Is a waterproof container for currency note? Jem Actually, it is a Schrader to Presta adapter. The adapter screws into the bullet shaped part.
Cheers Jim
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