Trail Tools?

[chaos]

Im new to MTB....

What sort of trail tools should I be carying while I ride? Is there multitools out there to cut down on weight? spare parts?

I just realized I could be miles out in the woods and the only thing I have with me is some energy bars,water and a cell phone.

Thanks!

[allezkmiec]

I carry a spare tube, 2 levers and a tiny minipump, as well as a multi-tool with 4-5-6mm allens, screwdrivers, and a Torx 25 for the rotor bolts. On longer solo rides, I'll also carry a little chain tool and master link, as well as a patch kit. I'm considering dropping the tube and just carrying a patch kit, however, since I only get about 1 flat every 2 years.

[Boosted333]

Why 2 levers?

[Slappy]

I'm a bit of a pack rat; I usually have most of the following rattling around in my pack: multi-tool, chain tool (or you can get one integrated right into a multi-tool) and some spare links, tube, patch kit, pump, assorted nuts and bolts, zip ties, mini-roll of duct tape, spare derailleur hanger(s), torx for rotor bolts, spare brake pads, a derailleur cable, a singulator and an empty or two.

Remember a tool's no good if you can't use it. It's good to practice changing or patching a tube at home before you have to do it while mosquitoes feast on you. That goes double for chain repairs. There's a ton of good resources on how to fix stuff. Check out

www.sheldonbrown.com (http://www.sheldonbrown.com)

http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

[Jisch]

I carry the same as Slappy, just add in some chain ring bolts and nuts (which may be included in his "assorted nuts and bolts"), a SPD cleat and the screws that go into the cleat.

Over the years I've used everything in my pack at one time or another. Sometimes those fixes are on my bike, but more often than not I'm using the stuff to fix someone else's bike. I was on a large group ride last year and someone's disc rotor fell off! He turned his bike around figuring he was done - we were able to get him back in business pretty quickly using the rotor bolts in my pack, which felt pretty great. Similar thing happened this summer when someone's middle ring fell off - back in business in five minutes.

John

[kilozebra]

Just ride with Slappy and you don't need to carry anything. :)

Typical load is spare tube, patch kit (real kit, not the little stick-on guys), two plastic tire levers, 2 spare chain links, pump, and multitool (I love the Crank Brothers Multi-17, with integrated chain tool). I also carry my wallet (JIMI, thejimi.com), cell phone, a Clif bar, and my camera.

Since most of my rides are shorter in distance and not as rough, I find that a good check for loose bolts before I ride is enough to keep me from getting stranded, but I'm sure that I'll wish someday that I was carrying more stuff.

/Andrew

[allezkmiec]

Why 2 levers?
2 levers for a couple of reasons: have a spare on the very remote chance I bust one, and I run tubeless tires that fit VERY tightly, so sometimes having 2 levers makes things easier getting them on/off.

[1adam12]

echo most of the above, esp. the crank bros multi 17 which is the best multi I've ever had.

one thing I carry which some of my riding buds have alternately teased me about and then not had to walk home after a mechanical is a small, needle nose pair of vise grips. those have saved the day several times.

i also carry a rear shock pump, a compass, pencil and paper and sometimes a folding saw early in the season.

[djbongo]

The only thing I could add is a lighter/mini flash light thing. I feel like its always a good idea to have a way to make fire.....just in case. And patch kits have never been my friend. Without a pool of water, it can be impossible to find pinhole leaks.

[kilozebra]

Since most of my rides are shorter in distance and not as rough, I find that a good check for loose bolts before I ride is enough to keep me from getting stranded, but I'm sure that I'll wish someday that I was carrying more stuff.


That "someday" was this past Thursday. My chainring bolts must have loosened without me noticing (they weren't previously on my pre-ride checklist)...

Long story short, on a quick climb up after a downhill section, loud noises greeted me and the chain dropped off the inside. Two chainring bolts were nowhere to be found, one had sheared completely through, and the last was very loose. Middle ring was severely bent, which was pushing the chain off the inside of the granny.

Ended up walking out. Chainring bolts/nuts are going into the Camelbak soon. :)

[Boosted333]

2 levers for a couple of reasons: have a spare on the very remote chance I bust one, and I run tubeless tires that fit VERY tightly, so sometimes having 2 levers makes things easier getting them on/off.

Ahh, ok thanks!

Actually since I read this, I have been carrying two levers and actually just two weekends ago I got a flat and used them.

So, I have a Topeak seat-pack with a tube, 2 levers, a Topeak McGuyver Tool, and my cell phone. If its a longer ride, I'll bring the Camelbak, might have a small first-aid kit, my Enduro HID if its getting late in there, and some snacks.

[hogboy]

tools ? I carry all this no matter what bike I ride. road, mtb, SS. too much bother
to whittle it down based on type of bike: Maybe I will take out tubes I won't use, but
I may run into others who need XYZ tube and it is nice to have one that matches


1 camelbak
1 pump
1 15mm socket wrench. standard 5 inch size
1 BOA lacing tool
1 emergency whistle
1 powerbar
1 garbage bag
12 assorted zipties
1 pack IBM velcro thingamajoobs
3 patch kits, [2 real, one insta patch]
3 tubes. 26" mtb, 29" mtb, 700x18c
1 pocket chainsaw with hogboy modified handles (bike chain...unbreakable)
1 topeak alien original (chain tool on it)
1 planet bike super flash
1 big allen wrench for crankbolt
eye drops, 4 pack
1 thin yellow jacket
1 pair arm warmers
2 tire flips
spoke wrench
cellphone
wallet
1 hunk of 6 links of bike chain
1 sram insta link

and, I have now been riding with an Estwing hatchet
strapped to the bak, and I kinda like it there. good for blowdowns,
as a supplement to the chainsaw. prob good for rabid animals too
should I encounter one

in winter, add

3 pair handwarmers (toe warmers are already in use, these are backups...trail repair use)
1 extra silk undershirt, super thin
1 extra gloves
1 extra glove liners

[heckler]

What do you call a mtber with no tools?
A hiker with a bicycle...

I tend to ride solo more than most I guess so I trust my pre-ride inspection to catch loose bolts and stuff so I dont worry so much on that front.

I carry a Pedros' multi-tool, tube, patchkit, pump, shock pump, food water, phone. I have never walked out.

[antmav]

I'm a bit of a pack rat; I usually have most of the following rattling around in my pack: multi-tool, chain tool (or you can get one integrated right into a multi-tool) and some spare links, tube, patch kit, pump, assorted nuts and bolts, zip ties, mini-roll of duct tape, spare derailleur hanger(s), torx for rotor bolts, spare brake pads, a derailleur cable, a singulator and an empty or two.

Remember a tool's no good if you can't use it. It's good to practice changing or patching a tube at home before you have to do it while mosquitoes feast on you. That goes double for chain repairs. There's a ton of good resources on how to fix stuff. Check out

www.sheldonbrown.com (http://www.sheldonbrown.com)

http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

Did you forget 'bottle opener' on purpose or do you just use the bladed Mavic spokes to pop open ya Monsta?

I ride with someone who is still cruising an old skool Heckler with the an integrated bottle opener in the rear dropout. Man, some designers just get it right sometimes................not with the Heckler, but the bottle opener.