Touring Toolkit

Mister Loco · Post by **Mister Loco** » 13 Dec 2007, 8:50pm

I hope I'm not covering old ground but I'd welcome any thoughts on what constitutes a good touring toolkit. What is worth carrying and what isn't? My thoughts are a spare inner tube, spare brake/gear cable, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, set of allen keys, small pliers, small ratchet screwdriver with various bits, spoke key and a chain tool. Too much or not enough??

rower40 · Post by **rower40** » 13 Dec 2007, 9:27pm

I need a piece of string. Can anyone advise me what length I should get?

But seriously...
When I go out for an all-day ride or longer, I take a bike-specific multi-tool (allen keys, screwdrivers, chain splitter, knife, some ring spanners), tyre levers, the appropriate inner tubes, a pump, self-adhesive patches, and a large adjustable spanner. And I never need any of them. So when I go on a short ride, I take credit card, cash for a taxi, and a mobile phone.

However, I would add to your list: zip-ties (releaseable ones if you can get them) and rags for wiping your hands after things get messy.

The only way of having the right toolkit is to never break down, never go anywhere, or take your entire garage in a trailer. The unexpected will always catch you in the end. For example: my Brompton back wheel exploded when the rim wore too thin. Solution - fold, walk 30 yds to a layby, phone for a taxi.

appolo · Post by **appolo** » 13 Dec 2007, 10:06pm

Mister Loco,I think Rower has just about covered it!

I've made a printed and plastised list which is nailed onto the workbench. It goes A, the basics for a short ride (tube,levers,patches and pump)
B, as above plus lock,rain cape,drink,phone,money
C, as above,plus rain overshoes, lunch,extra top,adjustable spanner and spare bit of chain if on the fixie', other odds and sods'.
Anyhow, you get the picture,it can be tailored to personal needs.

It's just a mental check off list so I don't forget anything before leaving the shed. Unfortunately it's not foolproof.... !

Mansfield Marauder · Post by **Mansfield Marauder** » 14 Dec 2007, 8:27am

I did a fair few miles doing two day tours to various youth hostels I only ever had to cope with punctures which I fixed with the old fashioned patches and glue. So make sure your bike is well maintained carry some basic spares as you mentioned above and I am sure you will be fine.

gaz · Post by **gaz** » 14 Dec 2007, 9:12am

andymiller · Post by **andymiller** » 14 Dec 2007, 11:45am

It all depends on what sort of touring you are doing and what sort of bike you have. And how pessimistic you are (or how many things youve learn't through bitter experience). My list is along the lines of:

multi-tool
small adjustable spanner
pliers or leatherman-type tool with plier
tyre levers
3 inner tubes
Park self-adhesive patches
various replacement socket screws
cable ties
gaffer tape
spoke wrench
spare cables

I use SRAM powerlinks so don't carry a chain toll though maybe I should.

I also carry a bleed kit, spare brake pads and small spanner for hydraulic brakes. I also carry in the main bike bag a set of allen keys and a crank remover tools for assembly/dismatling of the bike for transport - these stay with the bag.

Lawrie9 · Post by **Lawrie9** » 14 Dec 2007, 5:24pm

You will need to get to know your bike. If it is a modern bike you will need a couple of allen keys, a small adjustable spanner, a spare inner tube, a decent pump. a small screw driver, a mobile phone with plenty of charge. If you are doing a tour for several days then a chain link extractor with a spar link and a bit of wire is always useful. But modern bikes are fairly reliable and the chances of a serious mechanical failure are fairly remote. I wouldn't waste my time with one of those multi tool kit things as most of the tools you are not likely to need and will just add extra weight. As for tyre levers you can fit a modern tyre with your bare hands unless it is for one of the old fashioned drop handle bar racer type bikes. You can get by with a very light tool kit these days.

andrew_s · Post by **andrew_s** » 14 Dec 2007, 8:34pm

I take...
Tools
A victorinox screwdriver bit holder with 2,3,4,5,6,8mm allen bits, flat & crosshead screwdriver bits, plus any other required bits (eg torx).
A small Park chaintool
an 8/10mm ring spanner
a hypercracker or NBT2 (cassette lockring removal)
a spokey
a pair of cone spanners
tyre levers
pump
either a swiss army knife (Climber) or small leatherman

cable ties
insulation tape
gaffer tape

Spares
2 pair brake pads
rear gear and brake cables
6 spokes
3 inner tubes
puncture kit
sometimes a foldup tyre
a film tub with a selection of nuts & bolts (M5, SPD cleat, crank self-extractor, chainring, mudguard stay)
a few links of chain and a couple of powerlinks
a small bottle of oil
a small tube of grease

It does depend on where you are going. Some places, a reasonable bike shop is a long way off. It doesn't have to be an exotic place either - when I was in the Shetlands last June, the nearest place was probably Aberdeen.

byegad · Post by **byegad** » 14 Dec 2007, 10:22pm

I agree with Lawrie9. Get to know your bike. Then take a suitable multi-tool, spare chain links, boot for tyre, the usual Spare tube(s), puncture repair kit pump and CO2 inflator plus spares for lights if appropriate.

If you're away for a long time or a long way from help add a spare (folding) tyre, spokes (usually you'll need 3 different lengths 2 for the rear and one for the front wheel) and tools for removing the rear cassette.

You can go on adding stuff but take a realistic look at potential breakdowns and how you can bail out to a point where help is available before adding tools.

Personally I'd always stop short at spokes, taking everything before that and nothing after. I assume at the point where spokes need replacing I'm looking for a bike shop! Even on a day ride I take the first paragraph and nothing else except where that particular bike has a known peculiarity. As an example I had a problem with one bike slackening spokes seemingly at random (this is now solved) so carried a spoke key.

You will get people who tell you how they rebuilt their bike while on tour, if that was your idea of fun you'd not be asking the question.

hamster · Post by **hamster** » 15 Dec 2007, 10:24am

I'd always go for a pump instead of a CO2 inflator, simply because it cannot run out. I have had disastrous rides with 6 punctures (usually in hedge cutting season)

For me I aim to have someything for the fatal failures:
1 broken chain
2 flat tyre
3 crank falls off

So puncture repair, chain tool and 8mm allen key are a must.

While a powerlink is a good chain break fix, you still need the chain tool to remove any mangled link.

andymiller · Post by **andymiller** » 15 Dec 2007, 11:05am

Oh and don't forget spares to rebuild the pump - having had a pump fail on me I speak from bitter experience.

PW · Post by PW » 16 Dec 2007, 10:34pm

One of those little brass collars which convert a Presta valve to Schraeder fitting, then you can get an emergency top-up from a garage airline.

Eric the Red · Post by **Eric the Red** » 28 Dec 2007, 3:37pm

Take something that costs coppers, weighs nothing and takes zero room------------a pair of disposable nitrile (blue) rubber gloves. No more filthy hands after puntures or repairs. They can even double as emergency gloves. About 12p a pair.

DaveP · Post by **DaveP** » 28 Dec 2007, 3:48pm

Seconded! Luxury doesnt come any cheaper :lol:

This might help:
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t ... 99029dc053

andymiller · Post by **andymiller** » 28 Dec 2007, 4:56pm

Eric the Red wrote:Take something that costs coppers, weighs nothing and takes zero room------------a pair of disposable nitrile (blue) rubber gloves. No more filthy hands after puntures or repairs. They can even double as emergency gloves. About 12p a pair.

True. Baby wipes are also very useful for cleaning hands/chains/bikes.