Bike Tools Breakdown: What Should You Carry On a Ride?

Modern mountain bikes are nothing short of engineering marvels. They also require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. And sometimes, they require emergency maintenance at the worst possible time—in the middle of an otherwise-awesome ride. Being prepared for common trailside fixes keeps your steed running well, keeps your rides on schedule, and extends the life of your components. It can also help you maximize resale value when it comes time to sell your bike and upgrade to a new ride. For serious mechanics, it’s easy to go down a never-ending rabbit hole of hyper-specific tools. But for most people, a strategic assortment of tools and supplies should be all you need to stay prepared for most common field repairs. Photo by Tom Conway on Unsplash

Tools for Every Ride

On every ride, you should be able to fix a flat tire at the bare minimum. Ideally, you should also be ready to adjust your drivetrain, tighten any loose bolts, and fix a broken chain. Unless you really insist on going au naturale and you’re prepared to walk the full distance back to wherever you started your ride, we recommend carrying these tools every time you hit the trails. Multi-tool - There are many types of multi-tools out there. Generally, you’ll trade weight and bulk for an increasing variety of tools. We prefer something with at least common Allen (hex) heads for all your bolts, T25 heads for loose rotors, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, and a chain tool for installing a new link. Spare tube - Even if you’re running tubeless tires, you could still get a sidewall gash that requires you to run a tube to finish your ride. Fun fact: a dollar bill or energy-bar wrapper works well as a temporary fix to protect a tube installed inside a damaged tire. Tire levers - You’ll have a hard time getting your tires off and on your rims without at least one of these, if not two. Hand pump and/or CO2 cartridge - You’ll need a way to inflate your spare tube, or add air to your tubeless tires if you lose some in a puncture that takes time to seal. Hand pumps have gotten really compact, and can easily be mounted to your frame or stashed in a hydration pack or lumbar pack. CO2 cartridges are convenient due to their smaller size. Just be sure you’ve got big enough cartridges for the size of your tires. (And never leave your cartridges in a hot car—they can explode and blow a hole in your roof. Ask us how we know.) Quick chain link - For the tiny amount of weight and space it takes to carry an extra quick link, it’s well worth the ability to fix a snapped chain so you don’t have to Flintstone it for the rest of your ride. Tubeless plugs - Tubeless tires are one of the best advances in recent memory. Still, a rock, stick, or other piece of debris at just the right (or wrong) angle can leave a hole too big for your sealant to handle. Tubeless repair kits are small and usually look like miniature bacon strips or tranquilizer darts that react with your sealant to plug larger punctures. If you rarely notice punctures happening with your tubeless system, you might be able to skip this one for shorter rides. Photo by Anton Savinov on Unsplash

Tools For More Remote Rides

If you’re on the type of ride that requires multiple snack breaks, being prepared for more serious issues is always a good idea. Here are a few of the things we like to add to the pack when we’re further away from any potential help. Spare derailleur hanger - Whacking your derailleur on a rock or root hard enough can put your drivetrain totally out of commission. Fortunately, most hangers are replaceable, so you won’t need a totally new derailleur. Keeping an extra derailleur hanger for your frame on hand can prevent a long walk out if things get a little too rowdy. Spare shifter cable - Replacing a cable is on the more complicated end of trailside repairs, but it’s better than pedaling all the way home in your hardest gear, which is what will happen if your cable snaps and you don’t have a replacement. Extra tubeless sealant - If you have a major puncture that leads to a lot of sealant loss, carrying an extra bottle big enough to top off one tire is a smart call. Valve core remover - These are tiny and weigh very little, but are super useful when you need to add sealant to a tire that’s running low after a puncture. Spoke wrench - Tightening up any spokes that come loose during a ride can save a wheel from long-term damage. Some multi-tools come with built-in spoke wrenches, which can be a convenient space-saver. Note that it’s possible to do more harm than good with a spoke wrench if you’re not quite sure what you’re doing, so check out a few tutorials or ask a friend for help. Remember, these aren’t intended to be all-inclusive lists. The tools you choose to carry will be influenced by where you ride, what you’re comfortable fixing on the trail, and how much weight you want to carry. Still, this should give you a good start on building your trailside repair kit. If you need guidance on how to make any of these repairs, YouTube is an awesome resource. (We especially love the Park Tools channel.) You might surprise yourself with how many bike-repair tasks you can complete on your own with a little time and patience. And remember, there’s never any shame in asking an experienced friend or a local shop for some help. Knowing you can handle most common trail repairs gives you peace of mind that makes bike season that much sweeter. Happy riding! TJ Parsons is a semi-reformed snowboard bum who now has a semi-adult career as a professional writer and creative. He's a self-proclaimed perpetual intermediate who thinks the outdoors are for everyone, and who wants to help dismantle gatekeeping and elitism in outdoor sports. When he's not squeezing brain juice into a keyboard, you'll find him riding boards or bikes throughout the Intermountain West. Follow us on Instagram + Facebook: Tag us @geartrade with the hashtag #unnewoutdoor #wearitout on your post or story for a chance to be featured on our page.

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