Small Toolkit for Touring

[st599_uk]

Hi all,

Just thinking about what I should carry for a small 2 week ride I'm planning next year.

I've got a small saddlebag that I'm planning to use as a small tool/maintenance kit and am wondering what I should put in it.

Eslewhere on the bike, I will have:

• 3 spare innertubes
• Puncture repair kit
• Bike pump
• Pocket knife
• ECF European Language for Cyclists booklet

In the kit so far I have:

• Small multitool with Allen keys
• Chain rivet splitter
• Spoke key
• pipe cleaners to clean transmission
• Small bottle dry lube
• Tyre levers

Have I missed anything? I'll be in Germany and France, so I'm assuming I can always get a train or taxi to a town with a bike shop for a major repair - my French and German is probably just up to that.

[mjr]

Compared to my kit, you're missing:
Magic/quick link.
Workshop gloves or some paper towel to clean your hands on.
Adjustable spanner and sockets if needed (the adjustable also works as a spoke key).
Reusable cable ties and a silicone 8 tie.
Screwdriver (may be on your multitool but not mentioned).

[whoof]

Previously gone to three pages.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=130241&hilit=tools&start=15

[foxyrider]

i hope never to need them but +1 for a quicklink then i've also got a gear cable and brake cable as well as an emergency spoke. Pliers incorporate pokey impliments and screwdriver, the multitool has been assembled by me so that it fits everything on the bike and incorporates a chain breaker. Spoke keys are integrated into my tyre lever set up. This is my do any trip kit.

In the past i carried everything from spare bar tape and pannier hooks to computer magnets and brake pads but whilst over the years each may have been useful, decent pre trip maintenance makes carrying them almost redundant. For riding in Europe, anything requiring bigger or specialist tools will be a bike shop visit so not worth carrying.

Do make sure your puncture outfit is full and usable - i had an issue this year with patches not adhering - they had been in the kit unused for ten years and the tack on them seemed to have dried out a bit - result, they failed to stick properly causing a series of 'not punctures' before i could get new supplies.

[willp01908]

Pretty much what you you`ve got on your list but with the addition of:
A few cable ties of different sizes
Hook made of an old spoke for holding a loop of chain while splitting or fitting a quicklink. It`s a bit of a 3 handed job otherwise...
Fiberfix emergency spoke. (never used in anger, but I`m quite heavy and always get a bit twitchy about my wheels)

Best thing to do is give it a going over with a fine tooth comb before you go - barring accidental damage a bike should be able to go 2 weeks without any major fettling.

[hamster]

Add a tyre boot, few allen bolts for rack / bottle cages, chainring bolt.
Check the multitool has an 8mm allen for crank bolts.
Pliers / wire cutter ( Leatherman is simplest, also does duty as corkscrew, knife, screwdriver and bottle opener)
10cm rat-tail of gear cable with nipple to allow you to set the rear mech to a single gear in the event of cable breakage (other ghetto fixes can work)

[simonhill]

I have just re-read my post on that link above from whoof and stick by it.

By the way, the French trip I mention in that post went without incident.

My only comment would be that I'm not a lover of multtools. I'd rather have the component items I want. Often easier to use and lighter.

If you don't regularly use your bike fitted pump (maybe track pump at home) check it is OK before leaving.

Otherwise enjoy and don't worry.

Currently ending a 5 week tour, 1,500, Kms and a bit of lubing and a few turns on brake adjusters.

[MarcusT]

Hi all,

Just thinking about what I should carry for a small 2 week ride I'm planning next year.

I've got a small saddlebag that I'm planning to use as a small tool/maintenance kit and am wondering what I should put in it.

Eslewhere on the bike, I will have:

• 3 spare innertubes
• Puncture repair kit
• Bike pump
• Pocket knife
• ECF European Language for Cyclists booklet

In the kit so far I have:

• Small multitool with Allen keys
• Chain rivet splitter
• Spoke key
• pipe cleaners to clean transmission
• Small bottle dry lube
• Tyre levers

Have I missed anything? I'll be in Germany and France, so I'm assuming I can always get a train or taxi to a town with a bike shop for a major repair - my French and German is probably just up to that.

I would add some good quality adhesive tape. I use Gorilla tape and wrap about 3' around my pump. Has come in handy a number of times.
I am also a bit paranoid about being stranded, so, I also bring a spare folding tire, extra spokes and nipples, brake pads and one brake and gear cable.

[Jamesh]

Yeap duck tape, bungee and zip ties essential!

A decent mini pump and a decent multitool.
I love my 20yr old cooltool!!

Cheers James

[Alex Atkinson]

I would add a cassette puller, maybe adjustable spanner and whip, chain connection tool, cutting nippers, cone wrenches kit. Better be safe than sorry, so, you’ll never know when you might need them.
A lot depends on how much space for tools you have. Fortunately, there are lots of compact kit models with tools of different size, function and weight. Recently, I was searching for a small multitool and I’ve found a source with the comparison of portable tool kits https://outdoorsly.org/best-bike-tool-kit/ I’m sure, you will find it useful. Here you can see pros and cons for each type of tool kit.
As for me, I got Vibrelli V19 Bike Multitool, it has everything I need.

[Oldjohnw]

Sounds like your small toolkit will now need a trailer :

[50sbiker]

3 inner tubes,for 2 weeks in Europe seems way over the top...I cannot imagine how many clothes you take ....God forbid you camp!

[Sweep]

3 inner tubes,for 2 weeks in Europe seems way over the top...I cannot imagine how many clothes you take ....God forbid you camp!

Well not too mad - I carry two on a ride to the shops/on a day ride.

[Psamathe]

Already mentioned by others but I also add

Cable ties
Nitrile Gloves
Tyre boot
Small insulating tape

I'm quite extravagant and don't carry lubricant (mainly because of the risk of accidental leaks and the mess it could cause. Instead I've always found something OK in a supermarket (cheap) which I've passed on to other cyclists who pass to other cyclists, etc. Sometimes to clean the chain I'll buy a can of WD40. Several times I've called in at bicycle shops and asked if they can clean the chain and never been charged - most expensive was "leave a tip in the box on the counter".

I like to have a pair of pliers but only take a really feeble pair as part of a mini multi-tool (not normally part os a bike multi-tool). I take both a bike multi-tool (the Allen keys, Torx, etc. and a Gerber Dime https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gerber-1027819-Dime-Multifunction-Black/dp/B07QCNFFHR/

Ian

[mjr]

3 inner tubes,for 2 weeks in Europe seems way over the top...I cannot imagine how many clothes you take ....God forbid you camp!

Well not too mad - I carry two on a ride to the shops/on a day ride.

I don't like wasting energy lugging stuff around, so I carry no tubes but patches or sealant and telescoping micro-pump to the shops - worst case, I'm either near home and can walk the end or near shops and can buy a tube. I usually carry a tube on a day group ride, mainly because of peer pressure, although I often don't use it because quickly applying an instant patch is faster than removing a wheel and replacing a tube, even on a bike with quick-releases. Maybe two tubes if 100+ miles.