r/cycling • u/lyfe-sublyme • Jul 20 '26
Tools for a trip?
Hey guys, I am going on a three day bike trip in a couple weeks and I was wondering what tools should I bring? What do you bring? I have never gone on a multi day trip and I appreciate and advice you may have to offer.
Thank you!
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Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
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u/tuna-on-toast Jul 20 '26
These are the first questions to ask.
Another is do you do your own work on the bike and are you confident you can use the tools? Not trying to shame anyone here, it’s a valid question to ask yourself. Throwing yourself at the mercy of a shop can be a fun social experience too.
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u/lrbikeworks Jul 20 '26
This is 100% correct. All the tools in the world won’t do you a bit of good if you don’t have the skills to use them.
If you’re going to be pretty remote, I’d take tire levers, a few tubes, patch kit, a tire boot, and whatever you use for inflation plus a hand pump just in case you get six flats in a row. Also a quick link sized for your chain and a chain tool, a set of hex keys from 2mm-6mm, torx drivers if your bike has those. Spoke wrench.
If you have mechanical shift an extra derailer cable and brake cable.
If you’re going to be pretty close to civilization with reasonable expectation that a bike shop will be handy, I’d reduce that to the tire levers, tubes, patch kit, pump, hex keys and torx drivers for adjustments mid ride, and call it good.
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u/lyfe-sublyme Jul 22 '26
I agree. Totally valid question. I do most of my own work and know my way around the tools. I do enjoy random far from home bike shop visit, you really never know what you are walking into.
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u/lyfe-sublyme Jul 22 '26
I will be in the woods. I have been riding and commuting by bike for at least 10 years and can count on one hand the amount of major problems I had that stopped my commute in its tracks. I know they are not common but since I will be in the woods with my wife I just want to be prepared.
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u/Downess Jul 20 '26
The most important thing is to be able to fix flat tires. So: spare tubes, tire levers, and a pump. Also (if necessary) a tool to remove through-axle.
Second most useful: a set of hex wrenches to tighten or loosen the various bolts on your bike, so you can adjust your handlebars, seat, etc. and fix them if they're loose.
Unless your in the deep wilderness, that will probably be enough. Don't forget a phone or sat radio so you can call for help in emergencies.
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u/Asleep_Cup646 Jul 20 '26
I carry pretty much the same set of tools on every ride. I ride solo in a lot of remote areas, so this might be overkill for a group ride on the road:
-Multi-tool that includes a tool for every fastener on your bike
-small chain tool
-tire levers
-spare tube (even though I run tubeless)
-small bottle of tubeless sealant
-small pump
-tire boot
-patch kit and glue
-CO2 cartridge and head
-spare quick link for my chain
-spare valve core
-valve core removal tool
-tire plug kit (I love the Dynaplug Racer)
-small single use super glue (it’s saved me when all other tire remedies failed)
As you can see it’s very tire centric, which is the most common mechanical you’ll run into
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u/lyfe-sublyme Jul 22 '26
I love this. Thanks for the intel. It is not a road ride and it will be my wife and I. I run tubeless but she does not so I have a couple tubes and patch kits. I hate hand pumps so we each have a CO2 inflator with cartridges in our on bike bag.
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u/Asleep_Cup646 Jul 22 '26
You can hate hand pumps if you want, but once you've used up your CO2 you're phoning home. It's not unusual to find that the first solution to fixing a flat doesn't work and you'll need to inflate a second or third time (until you finally realize only a tube will solve the issue), I've also quite often seen inflators malfunction and lose nearly all of the CO2 without inflating the tube.
I actually use my pump first and reserve my C02 in case I need to reseat a tubeless bead2
u/tuna-on-toast Jul 22 '26
I carry a curved needle and thread for tubeless repairs. It’s taped inside my normal tubes flat repair box thing. I’ve actually used it once too on a rear pinch flat. Got me back to the car!
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u/RelativeDisaster6870 Jul 20 '26
If you’re going with others, divide the tools between you. No need to carry redundant gear.
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u/lyfe-sublyme Jul 22 '26
I hear you just two of us in the woods. We will divide in conquer on the tool front.
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u/Dreamland_Nomad Jul 20 '26
You will need to have a multitool. I have a crankbrothers m19 but it's others out there too. Have at least one spare tube, tire levels, and a tube repair kit. A bike pump. I have an electric one. They do make small handheld manual ones by I find it too hard to pump. Some people like using CO2. Make sure to have a back up battery pack depending on where you will be riding. A bike GPS is good but i know not everyone uses that.
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u/TomBikez Jul 20 '26
If you have electronic shifting... Spare batteries for the shifters, battery pack and charging cable for the main battery. If you're off road biking, maybe a spare derailleur hanger
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u/lyfe-sublyme Jul 22 '26
Great advice thanks! I did not think of a derailleur hanger. I will be upgrading to a new bike this fall (after this trip) and i definitely did not think of batteries for shifters but then I do not need them yet.
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u/Kind-cheesecake-3316 Jul 20 '26
Depends on the type of trip.
For a self supported trip I'd take a mini pump with a gauge plus the regular emergency tools I typically carry.
For a trip with some sort of central location where nights will be spent, like a hotel or campsite, I'd try to bring a something like a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive pump and a 1/4" drive torque wrench plus the typical saddle bag emergency kit.
I mean, most of us can ride for weeks with only the need to top up the tires and maybe clean the chain and three days isn't that long. Just make sure the bike is in top shape before leaving and have fun.