What to take with you on a ride

Hey guys, what are the essentials? What should I have with me every time I go out? I'm guessing a tool, spare tube, anything else?

I take - 2 x tubes, some gluesless patches, a phone card, pencil and paper(for the occasional scummy drivers rego plate), a spoke key(never used to but training bike has Shimano 500 wheels!), tyre levers.

In over 20 years of training, commuting I have NEVER needed anything else(apart from I had a chain break once).

Happy riding

A Multi-Rider for the train.

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Cheers,
George.

Depends on how far from home you will be and what type of support might be available if you breakdown.

In addition to what you already listed, some money for cab/bus in case you get an unfixable breakdown.

If you live in particularily 'hostile' areas (aggresive dogs, or sometime people) it might be a good idea to carry some deterent, like pepper spray etc.

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I take enough stuff to fix one flat tire and my wallet. I'm writing this from home so I've obviously always managed to get back.

I am frequently surprised by the amount of stuff that some people say they carry with them on every ride. As this thread goes on I suspect that you'll see what I mean.

It depends on the type of ride. I carry a multi tool and a chain masterlink, as well as a spare tube, tire levers, and patches. All this will fit in a small under seat carrier bag. Carry a good quality lightweight airpump . For mountain biking, if the rear deraileur gets ripped off by a stick or something, being able to shorten the chain or remove some bent links can get you home. I had a blowout one time that put a big enough tear in the tire casing that the new tube would bulge out through the tear. So, after that I carried a piece of aluminum can metal cut to a size a couple inches in diameter that could be used as a boot between the tire and tube. Sometimes I carry a cell phone or wallet, depending on where I'm riding.

Cell Phone, Wallet, 1 tube, 2 levers, 1 inflator cartridge and nozzle, small pair of vise grips that will cut cable, about 12 inches of thick duct tape. This will all fit into a small under seat bag with room left over for part of your lunch. I have never had a chain break on a ride, probably because I over maintain it. What can I say, I like to work on my bikes when I'm not riding.

I'm happier with a set of appropriate allen keys as well - although I only ever need them when I've just tinkered with something and buggered it up! Things like bidon cages occasionally work loose unexpectedly.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

Simple repair kit for tubes and tires and a $20 or visa, drivers Lic, ins card. small and light weight and very important "just in case".

My essentials:

water bottle
spare tube
patch kit
2 allen wrenches
small screwdriver (for derailers)
tire levelers
air pump
tire gauge
one old sock (for wiping grease etc off my hands)
cell phone
$10
a single edge razor blade (to cut up the bad tube to insulate the tire if I get a bad slice in it.)
small laminated card with name,address,emergency phone # and medical info

for longer than 20 miles add:
2nd water bottle
snack bars

1 X tube
1 X set tyre levers
1 X pump
1 X energy gel (even on short rides or more if longer)
1 X Mobile phone
1 X I.D. (Usually BCF license or drivers license)
1 X £20 note

Apart from 2 spare tubs (sod's law says if you get 1 flat, then you'll get 2!)
tyre levers, spoke key, ID and phone - I find that jam sandwiches always make the miles fly by!

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Creakyhip

Keeping in mind that I no longer ride to do errands, so I'm talking about club rides, centuries, training rides, or commuting -- EVERY time I get on the bike I bring:


- water
- 2 spare tubes
- a multitool
- a pump
- tire levers
- cell phone
- small wallet, which contains Driver's License, Medical Insurance Card, credit/debit card, subway pass, commuter rail pass, and a $20 bill.

If I'm going to be out more than a couple hours, I also bring a PowerBar or 2. And a 2nd water bottle.

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Originally Posted by Don Quijote
You have an attitude that rubs me very bad, I do not like you, and I also wish you to banish from my thread.

Wow, this is some great stuff guys. Do you keep it in a seat bag?