What should I carry for roadside emergency repairs?
If you are not mechanically inclined or lack the desire completely to attempt any roadside repairs such as fixing as flat tire, you better carry your cell phone (or Sat phone if you are in the boonies) to call your significant other to come get you! It is not fun walking your bike a great distance, especially with cycling shoes on!
A seat or saddle pack is a bag to carry essential stuff in to get the roadside or trailside repair completed. The pack neatly fits below and behind your saddle. Contents should not vary between road and mountain bikes, although, I like to keep separate packs for each bike to avoid having the incorrect size tube for the bike. Items that should be included in your seat pack are :
- A spare lightweight tube.
- A patch kit for a backup.
- A “multi-tool” that has all of the common metric hex wrench sizes.
- Tire levers; either a traditional 3-pack, or a single Quik-Stik (preferred).
- A chain repair tool (you better know how to use it, or it won’t do you any good).
Now for longer, or epic rides, it is necessary to plan accordingly. Extra tubes, additional tools, replacement derailleur tabs, clothing, water, etc., will need to be packed. Most riders will then use a hydration pack with extra storage to carry these items. I still personally, do not like the extra weight on my back, especially on long rides, but I still do not skimp on carrying what is necessary to be prepared. Most of the endurance riders, road and mountain, especially the new breed of adventure racers, prefer to let the bike carry the supplies, although that is up for debate!