![]() ![]() ![]() Tri-flow is a staple in bike shops, and in my repair kit for good reason: it works! Treat your chain right, especially if you’re riding through the rain, and you probably won’t even need the chain breaker. I have needed to use it before, and have helped more than one cyclist who’s been stranded without one. I carry the Pedro Pro Chain Tool (similar to the Park Compact Chain Tool) with an extra master link in a little baggie. You won’t need it often, but you’ll be psyched to know you have one when you do need it. ![]() Ome of the big multi-tools have chain breakers included, but I like to carry mine separate. If it breaks, you’re going to be walking, plain and simple. The chain is the missing link for your bike (I just had to say it). Not to mention they’re super helpful for camping. The screwdriver heads will be redundancies, but the pliers, knife, and other tools are helpful for any MacGyvering you might need for your bike. If you are the type that likes to have it all right there, than you can’t go wrong with Topeak Alien II: a whopping 26 tools in one!Īlong with a bike specific multi-tool, I like to carry a plier based multi-tool I’ve been a Leatherman fan for a long time (and personally recommend the Leatherman Sidekick). I like the Wrench Force multi-tool because it’s economical and has everything you need the crankbrothers multi 10 is nice as well. I like to carry a fairly modest one with about 9 features, including seven or so hex wrench options and two screwdriver types.Īnything bigger can be a bit much, especially if you have to get into tinier spaces. ![]() This is a must for adjusting, tightening and loosening anything you could possibly need on your bike. CO2 pumps are quick, but you need to carry extra cartridges. I like the frame pumps, like Park’s PMP-5 : they fit neatly under your top tube and require less pumping than little pumps. Beyond that, extra tubes always help (I usually carry two) and, of course, you’ll need a pump. Make sure you have the patches, glue, two levers, sandpaper and a little patience (trust me, it goes a long way). You are going to get flats and you need to be comfortable patching a tube. If your repair kit is your bike’s first aid kit, these are the Band-Aids. If you don’t have one of these resources, at least take a basic maintenance class at your LBS (local bike shop) it’ll pay off before you know it. It’s fun, it’s free, and gives you hands-on experience. You’re not only giving back to your community in an awesome way, but you can also wrench on old bikes until your heart’s content. Volunteer at your local community bike organization (I’ve volunteered at both Boulder’s Community Cycle & Pittsburgh’s Freeride). It might seem daunting (and I’m not asking you to dismantle your new 2013 Salsa El Mariachi 3), but there are a lot of resources out there for you. Your brain is your most important piece of repair equipment you carry that means have a working understanding of your bike! You don’t have to carry Zen and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance in your pannier, but you should know what the pieces of your bike are called, what they do, and how they work together. So here’s my list of must haves for your bike’s first aid kit. When you think of your repair kit with this analogy, things become a lot more manageable. You’re not going to have to perform surgery in the field, but you might need to make a splint and limp your way to the nearest bike shop. Over the years, as I’ve continually asked these questions, I’ve come to one very helpful conclusion: treat your bicycle repair kit like your first aid kit. What do I need? Am I prone to a particular type of breakdown? If and when something happens, am I close to a shop, or do I need a semi-permanent fix? When I prepare for a tour, whether it’s an overnighter or an expedition, my repair kit gets as scrutinized as anything else. I’ve toured a lot, and as a bike mechanic novice, have been able to get myself out of a variety of sticky situations from simple flats to busted spokes. ![]()
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