Basic Tools to have on a bike trip [View all]

[happyslug]

Last edited Wed Jan 28, 2015, 11:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I am doing this to see what others think of my suggestions and what they think would be a good set of tools to carry on a bike on a long bike trip. It is January and it is cold outside.

I did ride my bike to work, but I have to drive by car back home for I have to go to the County Courthouse tomorrow (I store my car in the Garage where I work and ride by bike to and from home except when I have to go to the Ebensburg Courthouse, 46 miles both ways, an increase of about 1000 feet in elevation, four hours up and two hours back if I take my bike but the Judge wants me there 9:00 am).

Given the above I was reviewing what are the basic tools one should have on their bike. First, if the trip is short enough, no tools, if something goes wrong just walk the bike back home and do the repairs where you have the right tools to do the repairs right (or take it to the bike shop to get the repair done right).

On the other hand Bikes often need adjustments and repairs while being used and on longer trips it is faster to do the repair then to walk the bike back home. On such longer trips I take the following:

1. A spare inner tube. Some people want to carry a spare tire, but tires rarely wear out and when they do you see the wear marks well before there cause a flat (or the old tire causes the inner tube to leak, which is patch-able till you get back home and replace the tire AND the inner tube).

2. A pump to pump up the inter tube if I have to.

3. An Inner tube repair kit. I have had situation where I blew the spare and needed to actual patch the inner tube.

4. Tire levers. I am male and the tire on your wheel should be close enough to the right size that you can remove it without the use of levers. On the other hand most bikes today are sold with tires TO THICK for the Wheels the bike comes with.



5. Two Park hex tools, the AWS-9 and the AWS-10. The difference is the AWS-9 has a conventional flat screwdriver and a Phillips head Screwdriver with a 4, 5 and 6mm Hex drivers. The AWS-10 has only Hex Drives, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6 MM. Thus you end up with two 4,5 and 6 mm, but you can's have everything. Park also has the AWS-11 which Includes 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm hex wrenches. You rarely have a need for an 8 or 10mm hex head thus no needed. Between the AWS-9 and AWS-10 you can do most adjustments on your bike. Park has other hex tools, but unless you need something other than the above, not worth taking with you (through you may want it at home but that is another subject).



http://www.parktool.com/category/hex-wrenches

When it comes to my Trailer, which uses ENGLISH threads, I would consider the AWS-12 which has Includes 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm ,6mm, 3/16", 7/32", and 1/4" wrenches.

http://www.parktool.com/category/hex-wrenches

I do NOT like the Mini-Fold ups, they are just to small, more gimmick than useful.

On the other hand, Park has three nice three way hex wrenches that can replace the above tools. They take up more room then a folding hex tool, but they provide a much more solid tool to work hexes with. There are combination 2mm, 2.5mm, and one with 3mm, 4, 5 and 6mm hex ends. There also have one with a torx wrench for brakes and one "ball" end 3, 4 and 5 mm ends:



6. On the other hand I have used the MT-1 - Multi-Tool and well NOT as good as the above tools, it will do most emergency repairs for it has 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex wrenches 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm socket wrenches.



7. If you have a 9 or 10 speed rear derailleur, take with you a Chain tool. I have used both of the following:





Neither one is my first choice of a Chain tool, but both are better then nothing if your chain breaks.

8. A pair of Pliers, they come in handy when working on brakes and other wiring:



You may want to look into a folding pair, for ease of storage on your bike. Most Hardware stores carry made in China cheap pliers that are good enough. Not great but good enough (and if you lose them no great loss).

9, A Crescent Wrench. Park has a nice size one, but like the pliers I would opt for a small one you can buy elsewhere. If you do opt for a cheap one, make sure it actually works, a lot of cheap Adjustable Wrenches jam when you try to adjust them. Makes sure the one you pick up works.



10. Now I recently purchased a Bone shape wrench that has opening that Fit for Nut Size: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 mm:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Eo%2BwuEQML._SL500_SR100,100_.jpg

I kinda like it. It is NOT a real tool, but a good substitute for the Adjustable wrench and unlike other such tools with multi holes, the holes are at the ends of the tools, for maximum leverage. For emergency use it is ideal.

11. Zip ties, good for emergencies, carry a handful with you (I also tend to carry some toilet paper or paper towels, for emergencies).



12. A couple of plastic garbage bags, they come in handle and do not weight that much

13. A couple of #8 bolts and nuts. These come in handle to do emergency repairs, should have some of different lengths. Not to many. Should have the nut, bolt and washers attached together so you can find them and use them if needed (Screw the nut onto the bolt with the washers). If you know what bolts and nuts your bike takes, those should be the ones you take with you instead of #8, #8s tend to be best overall guess for the size bolt you will need in an emergency.

14. A poncho, in case it rains and you need emergency cover.


The above tools will get you home where a proper repair can be done.