Cycling UK Forum

Hello there, can any experienced riders help. I am just just starting out going on long road trips on my bike, but am paranoid about getting a puncture. I have got a little under seat bag for my trips (don;t want a big bag) what sort of things should I be carrying with me in my bag??
Thanks

1. Pump

2. Tyre levers

3. Spanner to remove wheel, if wheels not quick release.

3. Spare Inner Tube

4. Puncture Outfit
(patches, solution, sandpaper, chalk)

5. Spare brake and gear cables, and small tools to replace same.

6. You could carry something more substantial for repairing a split tyre, but where do you stop, you could end up pulling a trailer.

7. Some means of cleaning you hands, rag and pot of "Swarfega" or/and small pot of barrier cream.

The spare inner tube is important, better than messing around finding and mending puntures, in the rain or dark or both.

For long tours you would need freewheel remover, spare spokes, chain link splitter etc, etc, etc.

If for UK use why not take out the Breakdown insurance through the CTC...£30/annum, they don't cover punctures but thats no problem?

I swear by the product "slime" to stop punctures.
I have ridden 30 miles on a flat
pumped it up again and done
another 400, without doing anyhing to it.

The bike mechanic at a local raleigh shop
ordered some excellent German tyres for me
which have a lightweight metal alloy inlay
and then pump up to 50.
They have been the same all through last year
and this, I have not even pumped them once.
I have been out every day They cost a bout £60
.I am just going back to racing tyres
with slime inside for town trips this year.

Something else; Always keep a look out for glass
up ahead. If you have got 50 in your tyres you will be ok but even so get round it rather than over it.

If your tyres are always low then glass will always be a big problem and increase the puncture rate by quite a bit. Think about rock solid tyres!

Those little methods you will get no more than one puncture every 2..3 years which HAS to be dealt with on the side of the road.

I do always carry a puncture outfit for long journeys
g

Pump, small brass Presta/Schraeder adaptor to allow use of garage airlines (mini pumps are hard work at high pressures), 3 inner tubes, puncture kit containing tyre levers, above adaptor, sandpaper, glue, chalk & patches, mini tool. For journeys more than 25 miles from home add 1 each brake & gear inner cables & chain splitter unless you have a quick link on the chain. For night rides spare bulbs, batteries if used, electrical screwdriver & a sharp penknife for emergency cable stripping.

If any beginner read some of these enormous lists one doubts they would ever leave home, especially when the person has hinted she only has a small bag.

Choose stuff in order of 1. Risk, 2. your ability to fix things. There is absolutely no point carry stuff if you won't be able to use it on a day ride. The suggestion of Cyclecover home recovery is by far you best bet for bigger breakdowns.

Then if you are to become a regular longer distance rider learn to maintain your bike at home, and start carrying the items you know you use.

The risk suggests on longer rides you should always be planning for punctures, and you should be able to both replace a tube, know how to mend a tube and carry an old piece of tyre to put under larger splits in an emergency.

After that the nice people from the tool companies have done the job for you, either the Alien or the Cooltool multitools have a good selection of bits on the standard multitool, personally I rate the Alien.

Until recently I never considered it but. a small first aid kit for cleaning and patching the graze when you fall off.

If you are interested, TESCO do a great little cycle tool (allen keys, screw driver etc) for £6.99 or so.

It's small and handy to stow away. Some of these bike tools have everything on them that you normally don't need.

and it's cheep!!!

I used to carry a huge tool-kit but have now got it down to one of the various Topeak multitools (check that it fits your nuts and bolts). Often these combine tyre leavers as well. I consider a spare inner tube as essential, as well as a puncture repair outfit which can be used to house odds and ends like a spring-link if using one of the new types of chains. Zip-ties are useful as well as a roll of gaffer-tape to repair slits or gashes on a tyre. The emphasis is on getting oneself home. Lights and waterproofs come along as well depending on time of day or weather. As to clothing its always better to be too hot than too cold.

finger les mitens r very usful. i w ear myn when ym joging as wel.

I do up to 50 miles a night and on a full day about 100 miles.

All I carry with me is:
Mobile Phone
Loose Change
Credit Card
Tyre Lever
Spare Tube
Spare Tyre
Puncture Kit

If I need anything else I buy it or call the Wife to come and pick me up!!!

A couple of pairs of thin surgical gloves are also pretty handy for any messy repairs- such as rejoining a snapped chain. Suppose they're also handy for emergency first aid too!

Never leave home without this important item in your saddlebag / panniers / whatever ......A TOILET ROLL !!! - 'nuff said

Now I am not on a push bike ( recumbent and can't get off ) I carry a mobile for longer journeys. Bike cover insurance sounds interesting for me.
I have never carried more than one essential van allen for maximum coverage (surprising how many are the same size) and not even a puncture repair outfit. It is a pushbike... for pushing and I enjoy doing that. I have done 20miles pushing before now to the nearest bike repair... or home.
Pump and van allen key; that's all.

g

When i first started cycling again i took a mate with me, who was of course cycling too

On one of the earlier rides we did - i got a puncture - when i was in my teens i mended many a puncture - but, i turned to my mate and said

"Its such a long time since i done this - can you repair it for me - I will watch so I learn how to do it for myself next time"

He kindly mended it - i watched - and luckily ive not had another puncture since - and thats been almost a 1,000 mile since

So, grab a mate and take them with you

(Also, strongly recommend taking your mobile phone - as other members have mentioned

have fun

Remember for long tours thhat you have to be able to fit spokes and true wheels...I must have spent 50 odd euros having spokes replace before i gave up and just got a new wheel...I used a pair off continental touring tyres and haven't yet got a puncture however i did break 2 pumps trying to top up air so for O*&%)*% sake get a decent pump.....thats about all i needed on a 3 week tour 9plus remember with allen keys that the one holding the crankshaft one is often bigger than that of multi tools....i learned that the hard way!!!