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.
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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
Instructions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Take along a spoke wrench. A broken spoke or a bent wheel can keep you from continuing your ride.
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Pack some Allen wrenches, at least a 5mm and a 6mm, which are the most commonly used for bike repairs.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Remember to bring identification. Blood type and emergency contact information are good to have, too.
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Bring a cell phone if you have one. They're popular with many cyclists, especially those who ride off the beaten track alone.
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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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Comments
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Nov 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.
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Nov 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.
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Nov 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.
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Nov 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.
