hi guys

i’ve just got a adventure cross bike on C2W scheme, and intend to ride mainly on road and some smoother canal towpaths, bridleways. and possibly commute to work

i’m used to a mtb bag with all the extras mini tools, spares, 2 inners, co2, pump, pliers, zip ties, missing links, mech hanger, spare gloves, etc etc you name it.

what essentials do i need/ what do you carry on a road bike.
I’m thinking,
1x inner tube, mini pump, 2 tyre levers, basic mini tool (ie no chain splitter) is that enough, or do you recommend anything else.

food not bothered, water bottle carried on frame.

worse case my missus can pick me up, or i push home.

On my road & cross bikes I have 2 tubes, glueless patches, tyre boot, tyre lever, chain splitter, chain link, 4mm allen key and a tenner in a small saddlebag and a pump on the frame.

My saddle bag contains two tubes, two tyre levers, a multi tool and enough cash for a pint plus a pump in my jersey pocket. I have my phone in my pocket so if it all goes wrong (and you aren’t going to be too far from home in a 2 hour ride) then phone for assistance and head to the nearest pub to wait.

2 tubes, a pump and a phone generally for a short ride.

I keep most of that stuff in a wee saddle bag and a pump attached to the frame. That means it’s always readily available when I decide to go out on the bike and I’m not transferring it from one jersey to the next etc.

My mini tool has a chain splitter and I carry a spare link too.

One tube and a few patches.

A tenner.

scotroutes – Member
I keep most of that stuff in a wee saddle bag and a pump attached to the frame. That means it’s always readily available when I decide to go out on the bike and I’m not transferring it from one jersey to the next etc.

My mini tool has a chain splitter and I carry a spare link too.

One tube and a few patches.

A tenner.

this, plus a pair of nitrile gloves in the bag on good summer bike (it has white bar tape 🙂 )

I have a saddle bag that lives on the bike that has:
1 tube
1 mech hanger
1 tyre lever
1 small multitool with chain tool
2 latex gloves
1 CO2 cartridge
1 zip tie

I then generally carry a small pump in my pocket along with my phone in a waterproof case.

thanks guys. excellent recommendations and advice.

i thought a rule existed on saddle bags :0)
i actually have one i can use.

ps. black drop bar tape

Saddle bag:
2 tubes
2 tyre levers

Frame:
Pump

Me:
Phone, keys, bank card, some money

What I normally take:

tyre levers
pump (fold out mini track pump with gauge)
one spare tube
patches (Rema tip top, obvs)
gaffa tape wrapped round pump in case of tyre split
Mini-tool
Phone/cash/spare layer/food if necessary in pockets.

What you need to take:

Pump
one spare tube
Some patches
gaffa tape.

(in thousands of miles I’ve used the multi-tool twice, both times on other people’s bikes.)

Twenty qd in the handlebar for when you forget your wallet.

Twenty quid in the other end of the handlbar when you forget you forgot your wallet last time.

plus a pair of nitrile gloves in the bag on good summer bike (it has white bar tape )

and/or a couple of antiseptic wipes in individual sachets to clean grease etc. from hands.

All that stuff goes in a small saddle bag. Pump on frame. Food in right rear pocket, waterproof in middle and left is for on/off clothes like gilet, gloves.
Phone? Why?

For 2 hour jolly rides I used to go with

1 tube
CO2 inflater with 2 canisters
glueless patches
little minitool
Keys

All in a little seatpack, with my phone in my pocket. A mate always has an emergency £20, but I’m not that rich.

hybrid pump
2 co2 cannsisters
2 tubes
glueless patches
5nm torque key
multitool thing (attachments fit into torque tool)
nitrile gloves
10 note
bank card
phone

All fits into my rear jersey pockets (tubes taped up)

As an aside I put a few quid in my fake water bottle storage thing. I then put a few more quid in there. I went to fix a puncture and I had £23.00. It was a nice surprise. Not the puncture.

Scott do nice little saddle bags, which hang from a W clip.

Inside that:

Spare tube sucked out and folded flat then taped up with 2 tyre levers.
Spare CO2 cylinder.
Chain link.
Glueless patches.
Piece of inner tube for tyre cuts.
Multitool.

In your jersey pocket:

Cheapo pay-as-you-go phone.
Cash.
CO2 dispenser with a cylinder up the spout.
Showerproof top.

Sorted.

As per prawny

1 tube
CO2 inflater with 2 canisters
glueless patches
little minitool
Keys

Mine are in a tool bottle with a pair of gloves.

Two things to remember:
1) When fixed, take the fixed tool bottle (has a pdw spanner for wheels)
2) When not fixed, take the road bike bottle (has 80 mm valve stems)

Mix these up, and it will be a long walk home!

Oh and this is my back pocket 😉