Cycle toolkits - tools to take on the road

18 Votes here (click stars to vote)

We cyclists all have a small pouch underneath our saddle, with as few tools as possible squeezed in - because every tool we carry adds a few extra grams of weight. But which tools are really important when you set out on a long ride?

Essentials:

1. Spare innertube - much quicker to replace an innertube and easier than repairing a puncture

2. Tyre levers

2. Puncture repair kit - it's much quicker simply to replace the inner tube but sometimes things go wrong - you might miss the cause of the puncture and get another one straightaway, for example.

3. Pump (and/or gas canister for inflating tyres)

4. Suitable range of allen keys - things like saddles to come loose occasionally...

Useful occasionally:

1. Spoke key

2. Chain tool

3. Bits of string / adhesive tape

Nice to have in your cycle toolkit:

1. phone - if all else fails and your and your bike are stuck at the edge of the road its great to be able to contact someone

2. money

3. cycle lock - not usually necessary unless you plan to abandon your bike somewhere. If you just need to pop in a shop quickly, leave your bike in the hardest gear - that makes it pretty hard for a casual thief to make off quickly, especially with on a bike with clipless pedals

4. disposable polythene / plastic gloves

6. screwdriver to take the cleats off your shoes if you need to walk miles!

Also highly recommended:

1. your name, address and a contact phone number for someone on a piece of paper in case you meet with an accident

8 Comments

Alison makes this comment

Friday, 28 May 2010

i cannot actually BELIEVE your recommendation that people leave their bikes unlocked if they 'need to pop into a shop quickly'...
I've had one taken while I was in an empty shop in a quiet area for about two minutes!
Are you on the side of bike thieves, or what?
Admin makes this comment

Friday, 28 May 2010

Hi Alison, perhaps I worded it badly, that is supposed to be a suggestion to slow things down if you find you have to pop into a shop in an emergency and don't have a lock with you, not general advice never to carry a lock. Of course you are right that a lock is much better, but not many people out for a ride on a road bike (i.e. not touring) would usually have a lock with them. And I was thinking that most emergencies take place near a village rather than a big town, not always true of course.
GeoSpectrum makes this comment

Sunday, 13 June 2010

Out on the bike today, planning a long ride into the hills. I hit the fist hill after about 5 miles, went for bottom gear (it was steep) and the gear cable pulled through the clamp leaving me with a 42x14 to ride home on. Much to large for the hills so my 50 miler turned into a frustrating 10 miler. Motto: check everything fully before a ride..or carry some simple tools or both...
nandana makes this comment

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

If my wife was cycling she would carry all of that as well as salt n pepper, ketch up, a scissor etc...! Waht usually happenes to us is we will have all the tools but the only one you really need. The mobile phone is the best tool!!
Alfredo Conscienta makes this comment

Monday, 02 August 2010

You need only two tools.

WD40 and Duct Tape.
If it should move and it won't, spray with WD40.
If it shouldn't move and it does, fix with Duct Tape!
Nathan makes this comment

Wednesday, 11 August 2010

Although a chain tool is only occasionally useful, when you need it you really need it. I had a 20 mile walk home once (10 years ago), not good in spds.

Of course goes without saying that I haven't broken a chain in the 10 years that I have been packing a chain tool.
Chris makes this comment

Friday, 27 August 2010

You missed NUMBER ONE! For identification, especially if you are riding alone, get a Road ID bracelet. You can put names numbers, even medical info on it. If someone finds you unconscious in a ditch it won't matter if you have a spare tube or duct tape.
Admin makes this comment

Friday, 27 August 2010

Thanks Chris, you're right of course. I have a scrap of paper with an address and phone number in my pocket when i'm cycling for just this reason. Everyone who carries a phone is also recommended to have a phone number listed with the address ICE - generally recognised by emergency services as the number to ring In Case of Emergency.