What spares do you take?

[dubscratcher]

Hi folks, I'm asking what spares and tools you take. I'm intending to spend a fortnight solo touring southern France, camping. I'm packing spare tube and repair kit, a few links of chain, handfull of cable ties, a roll of zinc oxide tape (dual purpose, first aid kit) and a spare gear cable.
Tools: mini pump, spoke key, chain tool, Gerber pliers and a couple of allen keys (everything on my bike is either a 4 or 5mm allen bolt). I think that will be enough to keep me moving under any circumstances.
Any other suggestions welcome.

[toyotakev]

YES, 3 STRONG PADLOCKS!!!
What about a spare tyre?
You can thread it through the spokes of your front wheel; looks funny but mine has never fallen out in 2 years!
Have a geat time.
Oh yes, a rear view mirror for your handlebars!

Kevin

[nmnm]

I do the french pedalling too. It can be rainy sometimes so I take a little bottle of oil. Use something like one of those plastic contact lens eye drop bottles (10ml), to minimise weight and bulk.

I've got a couple of those powerlink things onboard for chain troubles. Never used them, though. Still researching lightest (emergency use) chain tool.

I skip the pliers and the gear cable as I figure I can pedal in one gear or none to the nearest bike shop. In France it can't be too far away.

I take a (£7) ritchey cpr-9. It's lighter than the allen keys / spoke tool and adds a bottle opener. No fun to use (apart from the bottle opener!) but it's rarely needed anyway so lowering weight and avoiding clutter are the priorities, I reckon.

Some people take a big pedal spanner (for the plane) but mine come on and off with an allen key, after some persuasion.

[DougieB]

I would add a brake cable, as they weigh nothing. and a couple of bolts/washers can be useful incase any fall out. finally, I'd add a small screwdriver, ideally with a reversable shaft (flat-head and cross). I've found the gerber sometimes too big, though you can check this on your own bike. france is full of bike shops though, and they're generally very helpful to tourists.

all of my tools live in a small tuperware box, so there's no risk of bent tools or tools poking a hole in the pannier. on the oil, if you put it in an accessible place (ie bar bag), then you're more likely to oil the chain regularly; especially if it rains.

cheers

[hufty]

Still researching lightest (emergency use) chain tool.

One of these weighs next to nothing: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37897. You use it with two different size allen keys, or allen key + spanner.

[Mick F]

Spares?

A few chain links and a power link or two.
Two or three inner tubes.
Tyre - easy for me because I use lightweight foldables.
CO2 cylinders - perhaps.
Batteries.
Gear cable.
Brake cable.
Depending on your system, a pair of brake blocks.

[vernon]

Hi folks, I'm asking what spares and tools you take. I'm intending to spend a fortnight solo touring southern France, camping. I'm packing spare tube and repair kit, a few links of chain, handfull of cable ties, a roll of zinc oxide tape (dual purpose, first aid kit) and a spare gear cable.
Tools: mini pump, spoke key, chain tool, Gerber pliers and a couple of allen keys (everything on my bike is either a 4 or 5mm allen bolt). I think that will be enough to keep me moving under any circumstances.
Any other suggestions welcome.

I take a couple of powerlinks. If your bike is regularly serviced your cables will be in good repair and a spare will not be needed.

While not counting as a spare make sure that you take toilet paper. Very few camp sites supply it.

[dubscratcher]

Thanks for the replies, a small bottle of oil sounds like a good idea. I've just replaced all the cables on the bike so I'm not anticipating problems but I'd rather be safe than sorry given the miniscule weight penalty, although I thought I'd have to be really unlucky to lose both brakes. A few years ago I toured by motorcycle and broke my chain about 4p.m. on a Saturday. By the time I worked out where I was and the recovery vehicle had arrived all the shops had shut and a bank holiday meant that the trip lost 3 days, I don't want that to happen again. I was planning on taking a lock and chain so what are the other 2 locks for? The pliers are a bit heavy but they'll probably get used for handling pots and the burner on my trangia. Is a spare tyre a good idea? I've never damaged a tyre beyond repair before but I can believe it happens.

[DougieB]

I personally wouldn't worry about a spare tyre, unless the ones you're on are near end of life. I carry a tyre boot made from an old toothpaste tube, that's worth it as a stop-gap if the tyre splits.

cheers

[Barrenfluffit]

• Cordless Drill
• Iron
• etc
• 

[Mick F]

• Cordless Drill
• Iron
• etc
• 

dubscratcher the OP may not see the joke!

Anyway, if dubscratcher or any other members don't, please see this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=47227

[dubscratcher]

[/quote]

Anyway, if dubscratcher or any other members don't, please see this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=47227[/quote]
Thanks Mick, I saw the pics but I need to travel fairly light otherwise I won't have room for the piano.

[Mick F]

Grand or Upright?

[uphillbothways]

I never bother with a spare tyre, although I do carry a bit of plastic as a tyre boot. I always like having a set of spare spokes, just in case. Zip ties and gaffer tape are really handy for bodging bikes, panniers and tents. I always take a couple of pairs of latex gloves and some kitchen roll for puncture repairs so I don't get grease and grime everywhere.

[andrew_s]

spokes (taped to the dowel in my saddlebag)
gear and brake cables (rear)
brake pads - just 1 pair usually, though I take extra if I'm half expecting to use them
film tub with assorted bolts etc - chainring, SPD cleat, M5 bottle cage bolts & nuts, a couple of spare spoke nipples, a couple of powerlinks
a few links of chain
spare inner tubes, tyre boot material, and sometimes a fold up tyre (I usually have new(ish) tyres to start with)
Zip ties, gaffer tape, needle & thread
Ortlieb self-tapper/washer/nut (2 sets), pair of hooks (sometimes), Thermarest puncture kit