Multi-tool and saddle bag contents…what is really needed?
#26
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You mean, "there's no reason for ME to carry....", but suppose that it applies to everybody?
#27
Me duelen las nalgas
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Everything is laid out nicely, but I can't correlate your pics with what you're indicating is in the bags.
In the first pic I don't see any CO2 stuff (cartridges nor inflator).
In the 2nd pic I only see 1 tube, and can't see how you'd fit those CO2 cartridges in the bag shown?
In the first pic I don't see any CO2 stuff (cartridges nor inflator).
In the 2nd pic I only see 1 tube, and can't see how you'd fit those CO2 cartridges in the bag shown?
Argghh... I only glanced at the thumbnails on my phone and picked older photos. Here's my current setup in the Lezyne Road Caddy. The trick was eliminating the CO2 cartridge with the foam wrap, and getting a much smaller inflator.
The bulkier CO2 cartridge and inflator are in my Serfas wedge bag now.
A couple of friends prefer the Arundel bag, one of which has room for a folding tire or tubular setup. But those ride sideways and the narrower Velcro strap seems less secure, although I haven't heard any complaints. I just like the Lezyne Road Caddy.
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#28
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fyi Sabino Cycles in Tucson AZ has a crap-ton of those Lezyne patch kits in stock.
#30
Me duelen las nalgas
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And the guy who needed my spare quick link.
There's always *that guy* on every group ride. But they're friends so I carry a few spares if I'm using a wedge bag.
If I'm carrying my minimalist Lezyne bag, with only one of everything, and we're still 20-50 miles from home, they might need to make the call of shame.
But I can see now why so many local riders use Gatorskins. I'm not quite that desperate yet. I'd rather jog in combat boots.
#31
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Corollary Q is, what have you used?
From commuting, sport rides, centuries, brevets, 24 hour races:
Patch kit - yes
Tire levers - yes
Tube - yes
C02 - yes
Pump - yes
Boot - yes
Tubeless plug - yes
Allen wrench - yes
Stuff I've carried thousands of miles but never used
Tire - no
Chain break tool - no
Quick link - no
Zip ties - no
Chain link - no
Spoke - no
Shifter cable - no
Brake cable - no
Improvised or acquired repair items
Waist cord from a rain jacket, to stitch a torn recumbent seatback
Reflective ankle bands, combined with frame pump to splint a broken handlebar
Things needed but didn't have, that left me stranded
Flat repair kit (I've left home without one a handful of times, and been burned twice)
Belt drive belt
Belt drive cog
Things needed but I managed
Chain lube
Tire (before started carrying a spare; a bulging sidewall got me to the next town but yikes)
Cash
Disc brake pads
Rim brake pads
From commuting, sport rides, centuries, brevets, 24 hour races:
Patch kit - yes
Tire levers - yes
Tube - yes
C02 - yes
Pump - yes
Boot - yes
Tubeless plug - yes
Allen wrench - yes
Stuff I've carried thousands of miles but never used
Tire - no
Chain break tool - no
Quick link - no
Zip ties - no
Chain link - no
Spoke - no
Shifter cable - no
Brake cable - no
Improvised or acquired repair items
Waist cord from a rain jacket, to stitch a torn recumbent seatback
Reflective ankle bands, combined with frame pump to splint a broken handlebar
Things needed but didn't have, that left me stranded
Flat repair kit (I've left home without one a handful of times, and been burned twice)
Belt drive belt
Belt drive cog
Things needed but I managed
Chain lube
Tire (before started carrying a spare; a bulging sidewall got me to the next town but yikes)
Cash
Disc brake pads
Rim brake pads
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#32
Junior Member
I’m also not so fussed about weight. My saddle bag has -
Tube
Multitool (mine includes chain breaker)
Tyre levers (plastic)
Quick link
Couple of zip ties
And...two things that no one seems to carry...
One pair nitrile gloves
One sealed single wet wipe
(I hate greasy/dirty hands on my grips!)
I have a small high pressure pump strapped to frame.
At one stage, I used to carry an emergency space blanket (folded down to size of a half-sized permanent marker), but over the years, I’ve figured that I’m never that far from shelter, a shop, a farm house etc.
Tube
Multitool (mine includes chain breaker)
Tyre levers (plastic)
Quick link
Couple of zip ties
And...two things that no one seems to carry...
One pair nitrile gloves
One sealed single wet wipe
(I hate greasy/dirty hands on my grips!)
I have a small high pressure pump strapped to frame.
At one stage, I used to carry an emergency space blanket (folded down to size of a half-sized permanent marker), but over the years, I’ve figured that I’m never that far from shelter, a shop, a farm house etc.
#33
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Puncture repair stuff.
Tools to fix properly whatever you misadjusted in the shed last night.
A chain tool for a ripped off rear derailleur.
10$ for an emergency pie and coke.
Tools to fix properly whatever you misadjusted in the shed last night.
A chain tool for a ripped off rear derailleur.
10$ for an emergency pie and coke.
#34
Me duelen las nalgas
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Come to think of it, I should carry it in summer too. Those metalized sheets can protect from the scorching sun as well as retain warmth in winter. It doesn't weigh any more or take up any more room than a Clif bar.
Speaking of which, I save Clif bar packets to use as toe warmers over my socks for winter rides, walks and runs. Same Mylar, metalized plastic material as space blankets.
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#35
Senior Member
Extra quick link for chain. Bontrager multi-tool was like $8 and has the Allen wrench size for the R8000 FD. 2 CO2 cartridge, 1 tube. And sunglass cloth wipe thing, been useful on foggy days for example.
#36
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Argghh... I only glanced at the thumbnails on my phone and picked older photos. Here's my current setup in the Lezyne Road Caddy. The trick was eliminating the CO2 cartridge with the foam wrap, and getting a much smaller inflator.
The bulkier CO2 cartridge and inflator are in my Serfas wedge bag now.
A couple of friends prefer the Arundel bag, one of which has room for a folding tire or tubular setup. But those ride sideways and the narrower Velcro strap seems less secure, although I haven't heard any complaints. I just like the Lezyne Road Caddy.
Argghh... I only glanced at the thumbnails on my phone and picked older photos. Here's my current setup in the Lezyne Road Caddy. The trick was eliminating the CO2 cartridge with the foam wrap, and getting a much smaller inflator.
The bulkier CO2 cartridge and inflator are in my Serfas wedge bag now.
A couple of friends prefer the Arundel bag, one of which has room for a folding tire or tubular setup. But those ride sideways and the narrower Velcro strap seems less secure, although I haven't heard any complaints. I just like the Lezyne Road Caddy.
#37
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- a spare tube. Last needed one 18 months ago.
- a set of tire levers. Last used probably 3 years ago because I showed my son how to remove the flat tire with fingers only 18 months ago.
- a CO2 inflator. Last used 18 months ago.
- a 16 gram CO2 cylinder. Last used 18 mouths ago.
- a screwdriver with changeable bits. Used once while on a ride 3 or 4 years ago.
- a set of tube patches and glue that dried up many years ago.
- I think there might be a Swiss Army knife in the bottom, but I haven't seen it in ages. Never cared for them. Never used. Something I found in the grass.
- Three or four allen wrenches and some torx bits that fit the various things on my bike. I think sometime in the last year I may have moved my saddle a little.
- a house key. I use that every ride almost if no one is home to let me in.
I'm really wondering why I carry all that. Seems I could just get by with the house key. Not a high mileage rider but I do put in 3 to 4K miles a year.
Multi tools I'd never buy. They really don't get into the tight places I might really need them.
Last edited by Iride01; 07-21-21 at 09:01 AM.
#38
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My take is that you should carry enough to fix any issue that would be too embarrassing to admit to not being able to fix on the road. Just picture yourself saying to other cyclists, "I had a flat, so I had to call my (spouse, spousal equivalent, friend, etc) to come pick me up." So, fix a flat, tighten a screw, etc. Simple stuff.
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#39
Junior Member
The undersaddle "road bandit" kit by Specialized is what i carry. Holds a tube, CO2 + head, and levers in a very compact manner. I also have a small frame mounted bag that carries my multi tool and other misc things.
#40
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I've recently (well, 3.5 years ago) moved to Portland OR, which has good transit coverage. So for my commuter, secondary to flat repair is my Hop card. That'll get me home without having to make the call of shame.
#41
I like speed
I'm running tubeless as well. However I'm the only one in the group of friends that does.
I personally carry 2 CO2 cartridges, inflator head, levers, tubeless plug kit, Crank Bros multitool and a tube; I stopped bringing a mini pump a while ago. The tube is in case I get a big enough slash *knock on wood* but also in case another rider needed one.
I personally carry 2 CO2 cartridges, inflator head, levers, tubeless plug kit, Crank Bros multitool and a tube; I stopped bringing a mini pump a while ago. The tube is in case I get a big enough slash *knock on wood* but also in case another rider needed one.
#42
I like bike
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Oh, in my bag I have a multi-tool with chain breaker, Stan's Darts, a Park TB-2 tire patch, and tire levers. I have a small pump on my frame. On trips further afield I include a tube as backup.
Hey if you are running aero rims tubeless, make sure your backup tube has a long enough stem. I did a couple rides with a likely-useless backup tube.
Last edited by scottfsmith; 07-21-21 at 02:33 PM.
#43
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But the little store in Memorial Park was cash only, so I had to use my emergency $20 for some rocky road ice cream. Double scoop, so good.
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#44
Senior Member
Campy T wrench in pocket, spare tire strapped to saddle. Bonus points if a Binda toestrap is used to hold tire.
#45
Asleep at the bars
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3 and 4mm hex keys. (Canyon also needs a 5mm, a terrible choice given their size.)
CO2 inflator with two carts - Lezyne I think. It's tiny.
A spare CR2032 battery.
Two disc brake spacers in case I need to transport the bike with the wheels off.
A 1-inch folding pocket knife
Bacon strips and applicator - never used, will probably stop carrying this
Super glue
CO2 inflator with two carts - Lezyne I think. It's tiny.
A spare CR2032 battery.
Two disc brake spacers in case I need to transport the bike with the wheels off.
A 1-inch folding pocket knife
Bacon strips and applicator - never used, will probably stop carrying this
Super glue
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#46
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1 latex tube wrapped in a dog poop baggie (they are super thin)
2 CO2 cartridges
1 CO2 inflator
2 patches
1 tube of patch fluid
1 quick link
1 Park Tool CT-5 chain tool (the mini one)
Hex Keys 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, and 2.5 mm ($12 Bondhus set with plastic holder, removed 1.5 and 2mm keys) with ball ends
25 Torx key
2 Pedros tire levers (because one might break, and they nest together, and they are the best lever made)
CR 2032 battery (fits HR monitor and Quarq PM)
Valve removal tool
Carried a multi-tool for years, but they are heavy, have unnecessary tools, and the hex keys are usually too short. Also, ball ends on individual keys allow easier access to the things you adjust most during the ride (bottle cage bolts, upper and lower limit screws).
2 CO2 cartridges
1 CO2 inflator
2 patches
1 tube of patch fluid
1 quick link
1 Park Tool CT-5 chain tool (the mini one)
Hex Keys 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, and 2.5 mm ($12 Bondhus set with plastic holder, removed 1.5 and 2mm keys) with ball ends
25 Torx key
2 Pedros tire levers (because one might break, and they nest together, and they are the best lever made)
CR 2032 battery (fits HR monitor and Quarq PM)
Valve removal tool
Carried a multi-tool for years, but they are heavy, have unnecessary tools, and the hex keys are usually too short. Also, ball ends on individual keys allow easier access to the things you adjust most during the ride (bottle cage bolts, upper and lower limit screws).
Last edited by bch238; 07-23-21 at 05:26 AM.
#47
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Spare cleat and hardware. They break.
I bring a lot of stuff for long rides. Duct tape, zip ties, and superglue have come in handy.
The commercially made boot is worthless, good for maybe 20 miles. Cut a piece from an old tubular or a racing type clincher.
I bring a lot of stuff for long rides. Duct tape, zip ties, and superglue have come in handy.
The commercially made boot is worthless, good for maybe 20 miles. Cut a piece from an old tubular or a racing type clincher.
#48
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#49
Senior Member
I'll never understand people who obsess over bike weights and components and then carry all this crap with them.
The only thing you need is a phone. Everything else is theater. You're not crossing the Sahara so stop with this nonsense.
The only thing you need is a phone. Everything else is theater. You're not crossing the Sahara so stop with this nonsense.
#50
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