Tools & Parts you bring?

[SloMoJo]

Curious what you folks bring for tools and parts on your rides?

I tend to bring too much, but I'm trimming it down a bit. I still bring extra rear derailler, hanger, chain piece, chain brake, pliers, disc rotor bolt and tool, 2 tubes, pump, levers, Alien multitool, first aid stuff, TP, elec tape...hmm.
Drink and a bar about does it.

I used to bring extra chain, cables, full allen set, cable cutters, screwdriver....crazy...no more.

This is also some insight into why I'm so slow. ;)

[BlugrassBri]

for rides less than 2 hours = 1 large water bottle

for rides more than 2 hours = pump,tube,multi-tool,lever, chaintool...camelback

[nhiker]

What "SMJ" no repair stand? :o No, this is hard..I bring an alien and a leatherman (most of the basic tools) a tube and a pump and patch kit and an extra piece of chain. Thats about it other than water etc. I have thought about tossing an extra deraileur into my pack, for long distance rides this is probably a good idea. ???
NH

[T Grimble]

Nobody mentioned the all important Zip-Tie.

I usually carry just the basics:
Multi-tool, Pump, Patch kit, Tube, Zip-Tie, First aid.

For road I limit it to tube, tool, Co2.

My biggest problem is holding on to tubes. I seem to be buying them by the dozen lately. I am usually quick to offer a tube on the trail but lately my supplies are getting tapped. There should be bike etiquette for repaying when you borrow a tube. The ‘what comes around goes around’ thing doesn't seem to be coming around. Am I alone in this regard? If I am then I know how you can lighten your load SMJ...leave your tubes at home and ride with me :)

[fellsbiker]

I used to bring a good amount, but now I don't bring much. I hate changing tubes more than anything else, I'd rather install a new derailer over a new tube, i just hate it so much. So I bring a 3 way hex wrench, a chain tool, although now that i think about it, i used it on my old diamondback, but i've never used it on my klein in 3 years so maybe i ought to skip it. I used to bring CO2 and patches (vulcanizing glue patches work really well, its thos usless glueless patches are what gives patches a bad name) The only other thing i bring is a small pair of plyers that i use all the time, becuase I always end up smashing teeth on my chainring lately, the smash so they get kinda wide, and i have to squeeze them back into shape with the plyers. I don't stock up on parts i just buy them as i need them. I haven't had many catastrophic failures since I bought my Klein. I used to snap alot of handlebars on my Diamond Back though.

[turch]

In cambelback: tube, pump, park tool kit, patches, zipties, velcro cable wrap, duct tape rolled around pencil stub, extra hanger, folding saw, gu, pieces of chains, sometime a shock pump with a bunch of adapters, id.

Need to lighten your load? Snoop over your pal's gear and dump your duplicates. Not much need for ten pumps, etc., unless you plan to joust or something.

[AGENTGRAPE]

in my backpack cable ties firstaid kit slime tube co2's xtra hanger topeak hummer tool mini folding pliers/screwdrivers built in rear der tool quick links and replaceable pins no need for an xtra der hummer has a chain breaker make it a single speed and ride it out. i just got a plastic pump at pedrofest so thats in there now. heres a question will co2 work on a presta tube i have had no luck using the adapter.

[steve_b]

Multi-tool, 2 extra torx rotor bolts, 1 tube (which hasn't been used in the 1 1/2 years since I switched to Stan's), patches, mini-pump, first aid crap, zip ties, and water.

Snirch's tip about duplicate items is a great one. If you ride with 5 or 6 people, there's no since in having 6 mini-pumps.

I bring a spare tube, unless i am riding with Tom, he is so generous. I have a pump somewhere but if i am with somone with co2 they never want to wait for me to pump so i always ask before we head out and leave it in the truck. I bashed up a derailer once way out in the woods, but it was the one in the backpack that was squashed when i landed on it after going over the bars. I also have one of those chain breaker multi tools. I find the blood loss that occurs while sitting still on the trail repairing a chain while the skeeters feast, makes me to lightheaded and a bit dizzy so i am unable to complete the task. I just walk out to the truck and if somone comes along wanting to help i pretend to forage for mushrooms or ask if they have accepted Jesus as their personal savior. That usually gets most people right back on their way.

So there you have it. 1 old tube with 3 patches, a rusty multi tool, and some beef jerky. Some of those walks out of the forest can be a bit long, if i dont eat i faint.

bill

[T Grimble]

That's right folks!
Come to the next skill clinic and Justbill will teach you everything he knows about mountain biking.
Next week he will cover drops, clearing obstacles and how to fake foraging for mushrooms ;)

Truly a master.

[Prefect]

In my camelbak: big Alien multi-tool, cell phone, patch kit, SRAM quick link, food, zip-loc baggie, mini-pump. I used to carry my shock pump, and sometimes if I'm going on a long ride I'll carry a second tube.

In my saddle bag: tube, another patch kit, zip ties, seat clamp bolt (I've broken one too many!), another SRAM quick link, 3 plastic tire levers.

In the car: Cool Plano toolbox with full set of cone wrenches, BB tool, chain whip, cassette tool, cable cutter, screwdrivers, huge pedal wrench, full allen key set, 3-size spoke tool, big 8mm allen key pedal wrench (for my Shimano crankset), 2 or 3 spare tubes, patch kit, mini grease gun, bottle of ice wax, bottle of syn lube, rags, duct tape, spare set of Time ATAC cleats, yet another seat clamp bolt, parts chain, parts cassette, spare set of Hayes disc brake pads.

If I'm going on a longer ride I'll sometimes throw my Pedro's work stand and a spare tire or two in the car.

[MissJean]

This is combo post: saddle bag post/tool &parts

I use to use a seat post bag, but the noise the stuff made rattling aound in there drove my batty. So now I stuff what I have in a Camelback. My mechanic usually rides with me, ;) so I don't carry all that much, tube, lever, pump, patchs, some 1st aid, multi tool, and a clean rag (which comes in very handy).

But...there is always the problem you can't prepare for, like the time a stick somehow got stuck in the rear wheel and bent the wheel hanger thingie back so the wheel fell out and the derailler bent. The guys I was riding with used a seat post to bend the the hanger thingie back into place and I was able to ride out.
Anybody else have a McGuyver like trail side repair?

[Jisch]

Best field repair:

Rear chainstay on my brother's carbon fiber broke in half an hour from the car. We found two strong, dry oak branches and tie wrapped them to the broken stay. He couldn't jump nor bounce, but he pedalled out.

John

[T Grimble]

Best field repair:

Rear chainstay on my brother's carbon fiber broke in half an hour from the car. We found two strong, dry oak branches and tie wrapped them to the broken stay. He couldn't jump nor bounce, but he pedalled out.

John


I snaped one of the rails on my saddle on a ride a couple weeks ago. Since the saddle is one of those with a hole in it, I zip tied a stick to the underside of the saddle to replace the broken rail. The worst part was that for the rest of the ride I endured numerous comments about the relative location of the stick to my butt.

Interesting stuff. I having new to add to the list. I tend to go with the "less is more" philosophy...which fortunately has worked over the years. If I ride a new place I might load up with some extras.

Not many people listed cell phones. I never rode with one until last year when Mrs. NOO requested I bring one. Mostly, to let her know when a 2 hr ride turned into a 3hr. However, this year I actually used it after I impalled myself off a small drop and hobbled to the side of road and she picked me up. I was riding alone and there was no way I could ride home. Sometimes the woods just get the better of you...especially at Ft. Rock.

It begs the question though, what good is a cell phone if your have no coverage or don't know where you are? Well I'll keep bringing mine, if I am riding alone something serious happens, at least I tell my family I love em one last time ;D

This past Sunday the guy I was riding with snapped his rear brake lever right before the adjustment screws... instead of moving over his front brake...he went without for the last hour...I did what any good friend would....made sure we rode all the sketchy stuff ;)....actually we switched up bikes for a while so he could enjoy the east coast riding (he is from Illinois)..

[sizlinseagulsoup]

SMJ - Is that list why it looks like your backpacking in your avatar :-P

I've been accussed of being a roadie for not bringing anything with me. However, back when I was a "true" mountain biker, I wore a camelback full of ****... then I realized I didn't need 15-20 pounds on my back. Now I don't use a camelback at all, all I have is a Park Mini-Tool Kit (a nice package that fits in a small bag that I can put in my jersey pocket), a spare tube in another pocket, and a co2 duct'd to my seatpost. The only time this setup has never gotten me home is.... oh wait, never... I've been able to ride my bike home after every ride, and my back loves me.

[SloMoJo]

SMJ - Is that list why it looks like your backpacking in your avatar :-P


You're quite right Kev.

I'm a slow learner, but I'm trimming it down more each time. I don't use that pack anymore. I admire how light you travel.

[AGENTGRAPE]

i started a real diet and exercise program in may, i have dropped 20 lbs. im so used to carrying a lot of crap i dont mind anymore. im going to fill plastic water bottles with ice and up the weight i'm carrying. and have icy cold water just b4 i pass out from exhaustion. ill see if it doesn"t kill you it makes you stronger is for real.