When out with your bike you should always carry an essentials tool kit so that you can perform on the spot repairs when necessary. The kit is all about getting you going again and avoiding calling for help or walking back home.
The kit size is usually determined by the bike, the type and distance of riding.
For everyday riding all you need is a small light kit that easily fits in a seat bag, back pack or even in your pocket. For longer distances the kit may include additional extras to accommodate for bigger issues and repairs
The items usually found in a basic tool kit are Tyre levers, Patch kit, spare inner tube, tyre boot, multi-tool and pump.
Tyre Levers
If you get a flat tyre you will need to remove the tyre from the rim so that you can replace or repair the inner tube.
Tyre levers are small tools often made out of plastic that give you the mechanical advantage/leverage to do this easily.
They are light in weight, cheap and are sold in a set of 2 or 3. Their shape allows them to tuck into each other taking less space and keeping them together so you don’t lose them.
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Patch Kit
Also known as a Puncture Repair Kit. As the name suggests it’s a kit containing the essentials to repair a puncture (the most common problem you will encounter). These kits contain at least a tube of glue assortment of patches and emery cloth/sandpaper/metal scuffer. Make sure you have fresh glue. If you have opened the tube to make a repair in the past it might have dried out rendering the whole kit useless in an emergency.
Some patches are self-adhesive but under certain conditions (extreme weather, high-pressure tyres etc.) they don’t tend to be as good as using the ones with glue. The kits are very lightweight and inexpensive. With experience, you should be able to repair a puncture in about 5 min.
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Spare Inner Tube
It is a good idea to carry a spare inner tube with you as the most common problem you will encounter is a puncture. Why carry a spare inner tube if you have a puncture kit? There are times where a puncture is so severe e.g. rip that it’s not possible to repair. Also, It is far easier to replace an inner tube than repair one, especially in bad weather. Once you have used the spare you can repair the punctured tube in the comfort of your own home.
Is the patch kit unnecessary if I carry a spare tube? No, it’s not. The patch kit is there just in case you get an additional puncture. You can use it to help other cyclists too.
Note: Make sure your spare is the correct size (diameter and width) and valve type for your bike. Tubes are fairly compact when folded and can fit in a saddlebag. Make sure you know how to change a tube before you go out cycling.
Tyre Boot
Tyre boot is a repair patch for your tyre. If your bike tyre develops a tear because you ran over glass or any other sharp object you need to repair it. Changing the inner tube will not be adequate as it will bulge through the tear when you inflate it and explode.
A tyre boot is a membrane made from strong durable waterproof material. It goes on the inside of the tyre where the tear is to prevent the inner tube bubbling out and also stopping debris from the road going into the tyre.
If you don’t have a tyre boot with you, in an emergency, you can make one from stuff you find around you e.g. rectangular cut out of a plastic pop bottle, piece of fabric or even a folded paper banknote. Tyre boot might not cost much but if you don’t want to buy some why not make your own and take with you that way you don’t have to be inventive when you need it.
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Pump
After you have repaired your tyre or inner tube you will need to inflate it. For this, you will need a pump. Not having one renders the patch repair kit useless.
When out riding you need a pump that is portable and compatible with the valve type of your bike (Presta or Schrader).
Most Pumps are compatible with both valves all they need is a small adjustment on the pump head to convert them from one type to the other. Make sure your pump is set to the right valve type or at least you know how to change it.
A ’take-along’ pump must be light and easy to carry with this in mind you have a choice of the following:
Multi-Tool
A multi-tool is a gadget that looks like a Swiss army knife that contains tools needed to carry out repairs on your bike. There are many multi-tools available with different number and tool combinations. So before buying one it is best to check around your bike or bikes and see what tools you are likely to need when out riding.
The bare minimum one should have are flat and Phillips screwdrivers. 2-8mm Allen wrenches and 8/9/10 box wrenches. If you don’t have a quick release on your wheels then you will need a 15mm wrench for the wheel nuts.
You may decide you would like it to have a chain breaker, spoke wrench or even a bottle opener but that is your personal choice of what you need and what repairs you are capable to carry out on the road.
You can always go for the multi-tool that has the most tools but the more tools it has the bulkier and heavier it becomes.
It is not necessary to have a multi-tool instead you can have all tool you need individually. But multi-tools are compact, light and keep everything together so it is less likely to forget or lose one.
Saddle Bag
Once you’ve got your basic tool kit together you need to carry it with you every time you go riding. The No 1 choice for this is a Saddlebag. This keeps all your essentials in one place. They are designed to fit neatly under your saddle and are big enough to carry your essentials.
They are easy to mount using special straps that attach to the saddle rails and post. If you have more than one bike you can easily detach it and fit it on the one you decide to ride on the day.
Their fitting position allows easy access while they are out of the rider’s way. They are generally made of canvas and are very lightweight.
Saddlebags are not the only option to carry your basic tool kit but it’s the most popular option
Other things to consider.
While not part of a basic tool kit there are a number of items worth considering taking with you that you will find useful in case of an emergency. Some of these are:
Mobile Phone (Cell Phone). Always take one with you when riding, make sure the battery is charged. You will find it useful if your bike develops a problem you are not able to fix it yourself or if you have an accident. Have with you a list of phone numbers that you will need.
Cash. Have some coins and also paper money. The coins will come handy if you need to use a payphone if you haven’t got a mobile or can’t use the one you have because of no signal or flat battery(Of course in the age of mobile phones payphones are becoming scarce so there might not be any near where you are riding). Paper money can be used for purchases on the way (drinks, food) or even pay for a taxi or public transport when stranded.
Latex gloves. They are great for keeping your hands clean when carrying out on the road repairs. They don’t take much space so I take 4 of them so you have a replacement pair if they rip.
Wet wipes. If you can’t find a mini packet you can take a few as seal them in a small bag so they don’t dry out.
First Aid Kit. This is very basic containing a couple of pain killers, gauze, a few band-aids and antiseptic wipe for any scratches and small cuts.
Zip Ties and Duct Tape. Use these to patch up anything that comes loose on your bike e.g. accessories. There is no need to carry the whole roll of duct tape as it’s too bulky, Instead, take a piece of plastic (similar to a credit card) and roll over a length of tape. You can use the tape as a tyre boot too if you don’t have one.