1nterceptor

Use a water bottle you found on the path(free) to put in your spare tube, flat repair kit, multi tool, latex gloves, etc.
SNOWBOUND by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
Cut up an old tube; free rubber bands. Cut them the other way to make strips; can hold a light or camera to your bike(s).
Rear triangle mounted by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

rumrunn6

I've used the 2 toothbrushes for chain cleaning idea

TimothyH

You guys actually ride around with old socks and inner tubes tied to your bike?

Have you no shame?

1nterceptor

It's called "Ghetto Fabulous".
CONTOURGPS HELMET MOUNTED by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

WNCGoater

They are loathe to ^^ "clutter up" ^^their bikes a saddle bag. Old socks, inner tubes, bailing wire, duct tape, all look better.

WNCGoater

And so I can't be accused of not contributing something useful:

I wrap about a 1 1/2 foot piece of velcro around my handlebar right at the stem. Black velcro on black bar with black bar tape, virtually invisible. But very useful to secure a shed jacket or otherwise to the frame. For the jacket, I wrap it around the top tube and wrap the velcro around that. Can use it to secure an extra (disposable) bottle of water to my frame on long rides. I hate to carry extra water in my jersey. I also used it once to secure a nice found on the roadside screwdriver to my frame. Didn't want to put it in my jersey for safety reasons, & stuffing it down my shorts was less desirable.
That and Canklecat's zipties.

atwl77

Similar to the glasses case idea, I use a semi-hard case used to store portable 2.5-inch hard disk drives for my inner tube, multitool, tyre levers and misc odds and ends (such as spare chain link, patches, CR2032 battery, valve adapter to be able to pump at the petrol station, and emergency derailleur hanger tool).


IMG_20171018_150717-small.jpg

Hiro11

Some of these are not really "hacks" but good money saving tips:
1. Buy generic threaded paintball CO2 cartridges instead of the mega-buck cycling specific one. They're the same exact thing at a small fraction of the cost.
2. Costco sells $10 Head brand gloves in various weights that make excellent winter cycling gloves. Better than most true winter cycling gloves, IMO. Also, they work with touch screens.
3. Get cycling glasses from Alibaba. I'll leave it at that.
4. Store hydration bladders in the freezer (after you dump the water, obviously). Simple and keeps them clean.
5. Pledge is superb bike polish, especially on unpainted Ti. Keep it well away from brake rotors.
6. If you run tubeless, buy a bunch of replacement valve cores. Sealant can clog valve cores easily and you can get 20 replacement cores for a couple of bucks.
7. Glue screen material behind the vents in the front of your helmet to keep bugs (especially bees) out. This takes a few minutes to do, costs pennies and can save you lots of trouble.

The foil in the shoes idea above also is a great tip.

realyfishy

Many new riders are unaware of the old "hack" of putting a few sheets of newspaper down the front of your jersey as a wind break.

daviddavieboy

This will be useful if i become homeless

woodcraft

A piece of latex inner tube to compress the vest or jacket to fit better in jersey pocket.

Also makes it a bit 'sticky' so less likely to come out.

No need to tie the ends- just tuck in.

Handy for other fixes too- I used it to lash on a flashlight.

realyfishy

Yeah, because using an "old sock" exudes such class................................

WNCGoater

LOL!

indyfabz

I did it back in '00 when I got soaked by a cold rain climbing Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Most of the visitor center area at the pass was still covered in snow. Before I started the descent back to camp I found an out of the way corner to put on some layers I had carried up in a dry bag. A ranger opened to door to the "break room" and invited me inside, where there was a fire burning. I noticed there was a box of old newspapers for starting fires. She let me have some. Stuffed paper down my jersey and inside my arm and leg warmers. Made for a much more pleasant descent.


For those of us who tour, an old water bottle or empty GatorAde bottle makes a great "thunder jug."

TimothyH

Some of the stuff in this thread are better described as kludge rather than hack.

Newspaper or plastic wrap on the chest for a cold descent is neither a hack nor a kludge. It simply works and continues to be used by some of the greatest names in cycling. I do it often.


Just imagine the spray of grease everywhere from this.

It is going to cause an unholy mess in the garage and is a ruined shirt waiting to happen.


-Tim-

fietsbob

yea Tour d France and many other Pro races , BITD, the newspaper that promoted the race, had someone at the top of climbs,

they handed a copy of the paper and the racers put it under their sweat soggy wool jerseys , for the chilling thrilling down hill sections.