I dont understand some cyclist

[Dogtrousers]

The tools i need to keep me on the road take up very little room. My allen keys, tyre levers, chain tool and puncture patches fit in a neoprene case intended for a compact digital camera. I keep it in a small saddle bag but it will wedge under my saddle or sit nicely in a pocket. Would the OP see my tools if i didn't have the saddle bag? I very much doubt it.

Another option is a tool bottle. A friend if mine uses one. You can fit quite an extensive kit in there and it wouldn't be obvious to a casual observer that you were carrying anything.

Obviously not ideal for long rides in hot conditions with no access to shops as it restricts you to one bottle.

 

[Sharky]

In addition to all the basic stuff that all sensible cyclists carry, following any minor or major work done on the bike the night before, I always carry the "portable" tools that I used for the work, for the next few rides.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I not only cycle but being in the snow belt, I sit inside and watch a lot of cycling videos in the winter. I see so many rider on long rides that seem to have nothing in the way of tools or tire repair kits. What happens if they have a flat. I myself have a trunk pack on the back of my trike with tools parts patch kits and tubes. I hate the idea of walking home.

I don't think I took any tools or spares either. I really can't remember. Commuting - I could have pushed the bike to work or back home in half an hour and then organised a lift there/back. It would have been a good excuse to be late for work, But on longer rides I still can't remember if I had any spares. I tended to do longer rides on impulse and at the time I guess having a flat would have been part of the adventure. It was more of a day out than a focused cycle ride!

 

[Moodyman]

As someone wittier than me said: Fail to plan, plan to fail.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

We had someone try that on a mountain bike weekend in Wales. When he had ths inevitable puncture; he was abandoned to make his own way back to the bunkhouse. I think he learnt his lesson in what being an adult means..

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Multi tool with chain breaker, mini pump and at least two spare tubes on every ride. I also carry a rain jacket and emergency foil blanket most of the year. I think some instances are simply inexperience coupled with a little bit of common sense lacking. Any experienced rider that chooses not to prepare themselves adequately gets what they deserve!

 

[HLaB]

This thread reminds me of when I first moved back to Scotland after living in Ireland and getting into cycling. I went out with the CTC who I didn't know much about. There was one old boy really struggling up the Lammermuir Hills. At the top someone p'tured so he jumped off his bike and un-rolled his saddle bag to reveal a full sized tool kit. No wonder he was struggling 😂

Contrast that to when first moved down here. I passed someone walking with a Bike on Oundle Road (about 3 miles from the outskirts of Pottyboro and about 6miles from my old rented flat close to the centre). I stopped to help him, he had no kit, but he insisted that in road cleats and all that he'd walk to town. 😂😂

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Mod note:

The NCAP posts need culling, we will sort this out when we get time.

In the intervening period the thread will remain closed.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Mod note:

The NCAP posts need culling, we will sort this out when we get time.

In the intervening period the thread will remain closed.

Mod Note:
Some posts a bit off topic, more suited to a current affairs discussion, have been deleted or edited.
Please stay on topic.
I will now reopen the thread.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Perhaps the mere presence of a comprehensive tool kit is enough juju to keep breakdowns at bay.

This, rather than any genuine practical considerations, is what underlies my own kitchen sinkery.

Most often lent-out tools are my pump, to people who have run out of CO2, and my leatherman-style pliers, because pliers are always a useful tool of last resort. I once lent these to a gentleman riding a recumbent. I don't know what he used them for.

 

[katiewlx]

Another option is a tool bottle. A friend if mine uses one. You can fit quite an extensive kit in there and it wouldn't be obvious to a casual observer that you were carrying anything.

Obviously not ideal for long rides in hot conditions with no access to shops as it restricts you to one bottle.

just get two bottle racks then,as every modern bike has fittings for two bottle racks at least that was my idea when I bought one of those tool bottles, but genuinely I find I can fit more in a just an average sized saddle bag than the tool bottle, because the bag expands and I can just shove bits in no problem, even used it to store gels once, whereas the bottle is always width constrained anyway, but unless you can vacumn pack it, you struggle to fit more than a spare tube and a couple of tyre levers in

 

[Alex321]

just get two bottle racks then,as every modern bike has fittings for two bottle racks at least that was my idea when I bought one of those tool bottles, but genuinely I find I can fit more in a just an average sized saddle bag than the tool bottle, because the bag expands and I can just shove bits in no problem, even used it to store gels once, whereas the bottle is always width constrained anyway, but unless you can vacumn pack it, you struggle to fit more than a spare tube and a couple of tyre levers in

He obviously already has two, or putting in the tool bottle would leave him with none, rather than restricting him to one.

 

[katiewlx]

He obviously already has two, or putting in the tool bottle would leave him with none, rather than restricting him to one.

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

 

[blackrat]

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

I ride mostly in 80 - 90 degree temperatures most of the year with high humidity and I sweat copiously. So two water bottles one consumed every 16 - 20 miles with electrolytes is de rigueur. If I had space, I'd add another cage for another bottle. All my tools go in a saddle bag.
In must be nice to ride in cold wet conditions.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I ride with two bottles out of habit and even on winter rides I at least make a start on the second one. In summer I'd have to specially plan my routes to ensure more potential refill points if I were to do without one of them.

I was suggesting tool bottles not so much as a practical solution but more as a means of fooling casual on observers, such as @rydabent into thinking that riders are not carrying any tools.

But if your rides are short enough, or if you're doing an organised event with feed stations, they might be worth it.