Even as a Pre-Cambrian Velominatus, the rusty wires in my brain must have made the connection between my machine’s aesthetics and the lack of a saddle bag; I can’t remember a time when I rode with a European Posterior Man Satchel. But riding without a saddle bag means the tools go in the pocket, and that means great care must be take in their selection; it has taken the better part of 30 years for my toolkit to evolve to the point where it is today: a minimalist set of highly reliable tools, each carefully selected for its function, form, and weight.
In addition to the endless cycle of tools that have come in and out of the kit, their locations have changed over the years. I’ve spread them across all three pockets, careful to distribute the weight evenly. I’ve put the heaviest items in the center pocket and kept the lighter ones in the side pockets. I’ve put all the weight in the side pockets and kept the center pocket free for stuffing with other items. I’ve ridden with minipump, with CO2, with minipump and C02. I’ve strapped the pump to my seatpost (we can’t all be genius all the time). I’ve carried two multi-tools, I’ve carried loose allen keys. I’ve carried chain tools. I’ve carried multi-tools with integrated chain tools. Suffice to say, nearly every conceivable permutation has been tried.
Before I go on, I want to make a point very clear: here we are wandering deep into Velominatus territory. Every item has been selected for a function, but that function is presupposed by the notion that our bicycles are meticulously cared for and we do not expect to make major roadside repairs. Punctures, silencing a creak or rattle, making a minor shifting adjustment, straightening a handlebar, or tweaking a saddle are the types of repairs within the scope of what may be expected mid-ride. Broken chains, snapped cables, broken spokes, handlebars, or saddles are failures that are to be preempted before departure and if they happen during a ride, one is expected to limp home or find alternative means of transportation. If going on a longer ride with no bail-out, one is to adjust their kit accordingly to account for self-reliance.
I also realize that I’ve now jinxed myself for tomorrow’s Cogal. (But I said it ironically, so I think I’m safe.)
The following considerations factor into my kit selection (in no particular order):
Nirvana is a state we cannot hope to reach, though La Vie Velominatus may carry us to its outer boundaries. That is where I feel I am today when it comes to my tool kit, the contents of which are the Lezyne V5 Multitool, Lezyne Trigger Drive, Lezyne Smark Kit, two Lezyne Alloy Levers, two 12g Co2 cartridges, my phone, cash, ID, and inhaler (like most Pros, I’m asthmatic). I organize my kit into separate small plastic bags, but do not store the lot in a Rule #31 Sack, like many of my esteemed peers. Instead, I opt to keep things stored separately in my center jersey pocket, such that I am able to pull items such as my phone or multitool out of my pocket (while riding) without needing to remove everything else with it.
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hate having bunch-o-stuff bouncing around in the pockets. how are you going to really get up and go? (a) i can get crank bros mini (dislike cartridges - only good for 1 shot, can't test, can't help others), 2 tubes, levers and couple of allen keys into small seat bag. (b) for the pockets. u can get a little plastic box for q-tips and use to carry cash and cc. i liked so much, i stopped using a regular billfold. old style phones are way tougher - LG/Samsung clamshells, not Moto. super critical the thing works even after you land on it.
Hmmm. Interesting tools there Frank. Those tyre levers are damn sexy - going to have to pull a Lykki Li and Get Some! I use a titanium money clip on a daily basis (normal use and cycling) with license, debit card, credit card, and bills. When biking, I add my insurance card to the fold. iPhone goes in the microfiber sunglass drawstring bag to prevent scratching and the phone and moneyclip go into a Ziploc for moisture protection. My Maxxis Re-Fuse tires have never flatted, but that latex tube will also be an upcoming addition - or maybe just the patch kit. I currently use canisters, but I recently saw the Lezyne mini-pump in the flesh for the first time @ REI and I nearly ran off with it. I currently don't bother with tools except a Phillips head for FD derailleur adjustment - I swear FD's are the Lucifer's spawn.
I'm much the same:
Inner tube, tyre levers, chain link, Lezyne glueless patches and Lezyne CRV-12.
With regard to glueless patches - they are now good enough to leave on permanently but I still pull them off and replace with glued patches when I get home.
eightzero - Ah, sorry to hear about your crazy driver encounter. If it makes you feel any better I had a positive result last week, score one for the cyclists! Had someone nearly hit me twice in a few minutes (dangerous pass, caught in traffic, dangerous pass) all on her way to Hardees! I was in a heavy policed area & ran into one a few minutes later. He took down a full report, put her plate # and the encounter in the system so now she'll be on record. They didn't go nab her, but I thought that was at least a success.
Frank - regarding the latex tube being too light for daily use, do you ride butyl tubes but carry the latex in your pocket for its light weight? I know the thinking goes that if you are riding tougher tires, say Continental GP4000s, latex tubes aren't going to do a whole lot for ride quality. But, on a nicer tire like a Vittoria Corsa or Veloflex Master, a latex tube will offer a nicer ride.
@Ron
Excellent! There was that bastard the got in CA for slamming on his brakes in front of a cyclist. Put him into the rear window. Dickwad would have gotten away with it too (if it wasn't for you meddling kids) if a pro hadn't seen the news article, and called the prosecutor to tell them the bastard did it to him too. Perp is now in prison. Think they got 4 years.
What is the current opinion of the latex tube for every day riding? I thought that at one point Frank was singing its praises and considering writing a post specific to the joys of latex. I was considering making a set of GP4000s and latex tubes my every day setup this season. I sure don't like fixing flats since it seems all Conti tires are a real pain to fit to the rims I use. Should I reconsider?
I've done away with the mini pump lately, and the Rule 31 sack, and have discovered this little beauty; the Contintental tube bag. It comes with a tube and 2 levers, and it velcros under, gasp, your seat! But, I just chuck it in the middle pocket.
I ditch one lever, and add 2 x 16g Co2s, chuck, and Lezyne glueless patch kit.
In the other pockets go phone, house key (or stash that at home) gels and/or bars depending on ride time.
The great thing about this is, if you are ditching gilet, arm warmers, cap or gloves, and your pockets are getting too ful, just whip it under the saddle. It's small enough you can even jam it betwee the base of the seat and the rails and no-one will know you're running an EPMS.
For me its a spare tube gaffer taped up in a sandwich bag with an orange pedro's tyre lever and an allen key that came with flat pack from ikea. The allen key only fits stem and seat clamp, but thats all i seem to need to adjust anyway when out. Separate from that is a lezyne mini pump, ten quid and my small basic sony phone. I have to really really need to split that tenner to warrant jangling around with change. I'd like to see a tube laid out to the size of A5 and vacuum packed flat, there would be a market for that to slip into a jersey pocket...
@Ron
One point people seem to forget is that if a link has broken you still need to be able to remove the broken parts of the chain before you can fit a master link. If you carry a link you must carry a chain tool as well.
Here's my kit. The bag at the top contains a $5 note and some shrapnel just in case.