Having the right tools in your bike repair kit is essential, especially on long-distance rides. The unexpected can happen at any point, as flat tires, broken chains, loose bolts, and much can happen while you’re on the go. But if you have what you need to carry in your bike repair kit, those worries will quickly become a thing of the past.
The Essentials
When it comes to the bare-bones basics, you’re going to want to have extra tubes ad or a patch repair kit. While a patch repair kit isn’t great for long-term maintenance, it’s an excellent solution if you need a quick fix, especially if you need to change a flat tire during a ride. You’ll also want tire levers and a small portable bike pump on hand to make sure you do a patch job right. In addition, you need a lot of different wrenches and small tools in order to be prepared, so investing in a high-quality multi-tool is a must.
Grease, Lube, and Gloves
Whether you’re having issues with your chain or your peddles are feeling tough, you need to have lube and grease on hand. While it might seem easy to have one instead of both, grease is a much thicker lubricant and should only be used on bearings, pedals, and bolts. In addition, you want dry wax-based lube for dry conditions and oil-based lube for wet conditions, so be mindful of where you’ll be when stocking your repair kit. And because you’ll be handling tools and greasy products, you want to have gloves on hand to avoid injury and or slippery hands.
Cleaning Supplies
It’s no secret that a dirty bike just doesn’t ride as well. While it might sound silly, having the right products to clean your bike can help you out when you’re in a pinch. You may not be thinking about cleaning your bike while on a race, but if you’re going long distances, cleaning your bike can make a world of difference while you ride. While you don’t need to get too fancy, having a high-quality cleaner and degreaser as well as a brush and rag can clean out caked-on mud or dirty chains.
Knowing what you need to carry in your bike repair kit and being prepared with the right tools is bound to come in handy, and you’ll be glad you stocked up the right way. So be ready and have the right tools on hand before the problem happens.
