Tools to have in work

[ohnovino]

In the past I've never bothered taking any cycle equipment with me on my commute, or leaving any in work. The direct route is only 4 miles each way (although I like to meander a bit!), and I've always thought I can either walk home with a damaged bike or just leave it in work and fix it the next day.

Sadly I had a major visit from the PF today, who brought me a lovely long shard of glass right in the middle of my very old front tyre. I had a miserable walk home (looking longingly at every empty ASL), so I think in future I'm going to keep some essentials in work. But what should I take? I'm thinking:

• Spare tube (and maybe a puncture repair kit, although I generally hate the things)
• Pump
• Tyre levers
• Multi-tool

Is there anything obvious I'm missing?

 

[Moodyman]

I carry all of that with me as I like to think that I can get myself to work/home if I have a problem en route.

I keep a small bottle of lube at work in case it rains heavily on the way in. I hate a dry chain - feels so much harder to pedal.

 

[HLaB]

A Sram missing link can be handy.

I left a track pump at work (a cheap aldi one) and the others I always carry anyway.

 

[ttcycle]

I think your list is a good one but I'd carry it with me as Moodyman says I'd rather be able to repair it when needed rather than have to head back to work or home.

 

[cyberknight]

[quote

• Spare tube (and maybe a puncture repair kit, although I generally hate the things)
• Pump
• Tyre levers
• Multi-tool

[/quote]
I carry them all the time along with the repair kit, i have only ever had 1 visit as a time but i figure just in case, i know some people hate slime inner tubes but i have just added those as well to my commuter to reduce my chance of a visit as i figure every little helps .When i get a visit it tends to be a slow one which i reckon is mainly a pinch when i have to go through pot holes when car decides to overtake just as the right moment, this is country lane land so they are doing 50 + so you cant really plan a primary move as by the time you here them they are to close to pull a move.

If your wheels have the clearance many people rave about these...

road 700 c
http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=24544
mtb/ 26 "
http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=24542

 

[ohnovino]

I was tempted by the Marathon Plus, but my rear tyre's a Vittoria Randonneur City and it's done 3000 miles without any problems; judging by the size of some of the thorns that have got bent round and caught in the tread without piercing it I think it's pretty solid. I've just ordered a pair of them from Wiggle for £21 (including a £5 voucher that would have expired today).

My track pump's slowly on the way out, so I think I'll stick that in the office and treat myself to a shiny new one at home

 

[Moodyman]

Two colleagues did away with their spare tubes and pump, because they were riding the Marathon Plus tyres.

You know what happened?

One had a faulty inner tube valve and didn't have a spare tube or pump to get going again. Long walk into work and missed his first meeting with clients who'd travelled from London (to Leeds).

The other got a pinch puncture when he hit a pot hole. Long walk home.

Both now carry their tools.

Marathon Plus is very good, but not unbeatable.

 

[cyberknight]

I carry all of that with me as I like to think that I can get myself to work/home if I have a problem en route.

+1 if you have a reasonable commute you could have many miles to walk , for me its a 5 miler from the middle of my route each way and its done either at night , morning or evening with no bike shops or public transport to rely on .

 

[ohnovino]

I normally carry the basics on a longer ride, but when I'm walking distance from home it's never seemed worth it. In fact, the only problem I've had on the road in the past 12 months was when a gear cable snapped, which I wouldn't have had the equipment to fix anyway (the ride home stuck in highest gear was a challenge!).

 

[Moodyman]

Don't me wrong. I ride the Marathon Plus on the rear and a normal Marathon on the front.

Not flat in the last 18 months. Over christmas, I was thinking that I've been carrying all the tools and never needed to use them. I considered taking them out the pannier but thankfully didn't.

On my second commute this January I got a mysterious flat at work ( I think some arse at work let the air down for a laugh but nobody's owned up).

Boy was I thankful that I retained all the tools in my pannier.

 

[SW19cam]

Tyre Leavers? Urm, A couple of days ago I found out a couple of standard issue forks* stolen from the work canteen work just as well....

*I'm sure knives / spoons would work just as well.

 

[subaqua]

Tyre Leavers? Urm, A couple of days ago I found out a couple of standard issue forks* stolen from the work canteen work just as well....

*I'm sure knives / spoons would work just as well.

knives are better as you can use them as screwdrivers as the girly toolkit below shows
sorry to the girls out there i know you have poper tools

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/tiborgh/HammerShoeScrewdriverButterKnife.jpg

 

[phantasmagoriana]

I keep an Aldi track pump, a spare tube and spare batteries for my lights at work. In my pannier I carry another spare tube, a multi tool, a small adjustable spanner (no QR on my rear wheel), mini pump, tyre levers and some cable ties.

My commute's only a little over 3 miles, so realistically I'll just fix things at either end. It's good to know I have the tools should I need them though!