How to Pack a Tool Kit for a Bike

Be prepared for mechanical problems on the road or on the trail by making sure to pack the right tools.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike Shorts
• Identification Cards
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Jerseys
• Bike Packs
• Bike Pumps
• Bike Shoes
• Bike Tire Inner Tubes
• Bike Tire Repair Kit
• Bike Tools
• Leatherman
• Cellular Phones

1. 

   Choose the smallest saddlebag possible - that way, your tools won't rattle around while you ride. Stuff any extra space with newspaper or a rag to keep everything quiet.

2. 

   Pack a tube, a patch kit and tire levers. This will allow you to deal with even the worst, multiple-flat days. Make sure your spare tube holds air.

3. Bring a good pump. If you rarely get flats, take a mini pump. But if you flat often, you may want a full-size frame pump.

4. 

   Take along a spoke wrench. A broken spoke or a bent wheel can keep you from continuing your ride.

5. 

   Pack some Allen wrenches, at least a 5mm and a 6mm, which are the most commonly used for bike repairs.

6. 

   Bring along a chain tool if you plan to ride off road. You might also want a few spare chain links. And if you have a Shimano chain, be sure to bring a spare pin.

7. Consider a good multitool. Often these include Allen wrenches, a chain tool and a few open wrenches. They're also lightweight, but they can be expensive.

8. 

   Bring along some cash. Dollar bills can buy you candy bars when you're running low on fuel, and they can also be used as a tool to repair sidewall damage. You also might want some change for phone calls.

9. Remember to bring identification. Blood type and emergency contact information are good to have, too.

10. Bring a cell phone if you have one. They're popular with many cyclists, especially those who ride off the beaten track alone.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn some basic bike maintenance, especially if you plan to ride off road by yourself. And even if you don't know how to use a chain tool or a spoke wrench, bring them anyway - in a pinch, you may find someone on the trail who does.
• Always wear a helmet when cycling.

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on 8/8/2006 Must-have tools:
- a 6-inch crescent wrench
- a spoke wrench (get to know it, practice)
- an extra tube and/or instant/pre-glued patches. This saves time when changing flats, you can patch the old tube at home. Be careful, the instant patches don't last very long so replace them with real patches at home.
- a small bike multi tool (Spin Doctor Skeleton Crew Multi-Tool CT or the like)
- bike levers
- Tri-Flow, a dry chain lubricant with Teflon. Very nice! Only $3-4, and professionally recommended!

on 11/22/2005 Packing a tool kit has been crucial for me in emergency situations. It can be used for many things in a pinch. Here are just a few ideas: repairing torn sidewalls, patching tubes, repairing ripped or broken seats, repairing clothing or shoes. A tool kit can be very helpful in emergency situations, and can help get you back to the trail head. You can buy small rectangular packs that will fit into a hydration pack. Or, you can take it off the roll and fold it into a rectangle. This will hold enough for just about anything you may need. I never hit the trail without it.

on 11/22/2005 An adjustable wrench can help out when other tools are not quite the right size, and it will not ruin nuts that pliers would round off.

on 11/22/2005 Bring a pocketknife or Swiss Army Knife with you, too. The knife may be needed to cut things. They are usually around $15.00. Also have a Phillips and flathead screwdriver. A peice of sandpaper is handy to roughen up the area of a pucture on a tube so that the patch will stick.

on 11/22/2005 A pair of pliers can be extremely useful in a pinch. The best bet is a leatherman or similar tool that folds up to be very compact and has several tools that may prove useful.