best tool to take on bike rides?

[jcycle]

I favour the Topeak Ratchet Rocket has a chain tool.

I don't take the tyre levers that come with it so very small and light. I have found that you can get the allen key in a very small working area and due to the ratchet tighten/loosen a bolt in next to no time. Also it has the advantage of using stock screw heads. anyone got a better option?

 

[Dave 123]

Money

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Brompton toolkit, it comes on my other bikes with me. No chain tool but I do carry one and a quicklink on my regular bikes. http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/83482...urrency=GBP&gclid=CN-wu-K_7cgCFSIUwwodkKAL5QQ

Costly but a Christmas present so I can't complain. It is very good quality bit of kit and I have added some skabs patches to it.

Edit: I have a small leatherman squirt multitool with pliers on my keyring too.

 

[wisdom]

Topeak alien 2 and a stanley multitool with pliers on the hybrid commuter as I have a rack bag and often use them at work.
Topeak hexus in the roadies wedge bag.
Both have chain splitters and I carry a quick link.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I favour the Topeak Ratchet Rocket has a chain tool.

I don't take the tyre levers that come with it so very small and light. I have found that you can get the allen key in a very small working area and due to the ratchet tighten/loosen a bolt in next to no time. Also it has the advantage of using stock screw heads. anyone got a better option?

Anyone with a chain splitter on a multi tool should check them on an old piece of chain first. Most of them are rubbish.

 

[jcycle]

i've used this on loads of chains and it's great, but i know what you mean I have seen the warp and parts snap off.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Anyone with a chain splitter on a multi tool should check them on an old piece of chain first. Most of them are rubbish.

I tried to split a chain using a couple of multitools on an old one a couple of months ago and completely failed. The main problem was getting enough leverage on the thread. I haven't quite decided what to take with me when I'm going a fair distance away from home though. On the positive side, I've never actually managed to put enough power down to worry a chain into submission....

 

[jefmcg]

Anyone with a chain splitter on a multi tool should check them on an old piece of chain first. Most of them are rubbish.

Good advice. I've got a hexus, and I've actually used the chain splitter to remove a chain at home. Never needed it on the road, yet. It's better than the one that came in the Halfords tool kit - that chain splitter is rubbish, admittedly.

 

[bpsmith]

Legs.

 

[HLaB]

I carr6 a topeak hexus II and find its levers very good, unfortunately I've had to use them too many times. I've only used the chain tool in the comfort of my own flat and it works well enough.

 

[Accy cyclist]

For me it's a roll of that plastic insulating tape. I'm crap at anything mechanical but i carry it in case my handlebar tape comes loose.

 

[Brandane]

Phone, with local taxi numbers.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Lots of people carrying chain splitters. I have never done.... maybe I should.
I thought I carried more than I should.... a set of alan keys that also has a screwdriver. A CO2 inflator and 2 cannisters. 2 metal a 1 plastic tyre levers. Sticky patches, 1 spare tube and a very small pump. A pair of gloves. 1 spoke key that I have never had to use but last year on a club ride a rider broke a spoke and I couldn't help him cause nobody had a spoke key.
I carry a lot more but mostly medicines like inhaler, migraine tablet, etc.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I use TopPeak bag with multi-tool spare inner, puncture kit and tire leavers. and also spoke key. Also carry 2 chain links and money. Luckily I used my chain splitter on my Hybrid at home last week doing some maintenance and it broke. Only the second time I used it. I was lucky that I had another chain splitter with my IceToolZ tool box which is much better quality.

 

[Soltydog]

Bottle opener

I use a crank brothers multi-tool with chain splitter & I've had to use it at home when my home one bent It's a bit fiddly, but worked fine & I'm confident it could get me out of trouble out on a ride if need be