Cycling Essentials

Dubh_Ghaill

Got the bike,helmet,bib shorts,shoes etc.
However a thought hit me as I zoomed down Howth hill on Sat.
What should I be bringing out with me in case of emergency?
Spare tube? tools pump etc. Should I be picking up a saddle bag to carry this stuff ?
If so any suggestions.

Many thanks,
DG

awec

Pump
Spare tube
Tyre levers

Get a small saddle pouch for the tube and levers, pump will attach to the frame. You may want a latex glove to keep your hands clean of oil.

Quicker to change tube at the side of the road than to repair a puncture. Bring the punctured tube home and repair it in the warmth of your house.

07Lapierre

Mobile Phone and Money....if you puncture you can call the other half to come collect you, and the Money? so you can buy your self a pint (a.k.a. a recovery drink) while your waiting!

seamus

Small saddle bag for the extra stuff, you don't need a caravan hanging off your seat.

Always have a set of patches with you just in case you have a really bad day. If you bring one tube with you, what happens if you get two punctures? If you bring two tubes, what happens if you get 3 punctures, etc?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7206. €3.50 and the whole box takes up as much room a €2 coin. Patches are the difference between getting back on the bike in five minutes and getting yourself home or standing around freezing your bollox off waiting for your lift to drive 50km to come get you.

Make sure you know how to use the tools you bring with you, the pump in particular. A couple of times I've stopped with guys and asked them,
"Do you have <X> tool?"
"Yep"
"Do you know how to use it?"
"Nope"
*sigh*

^^And yeah, money and a phone. You can't fix everything at the side of the road.

07Lapierre

seamus wrote: »

Small saddle bag for the extra stuff, you don't need a caravan hanging off your seat.

Always have a set of patches with you just in case you have a really bad day. If you bring one tube with you, what happens if you get two punctures? If you bring two tubes, what happens if you get 3 punctures, etc?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7206. €3.50 and the whole box takes up as much room a €2 coin. Patches are the difference between getting back on the bike in five minutes and getting yourself home or standing around freezing your bollox off waiting for your lift to drive 50km to come get you.

Make sure you know how to use the tools you bring with you, the pump in particular. A couple of times I've stopped with guys and asked them,
"Do you have <X> tool?"
"Yep"
"Do you know how to use it?"
"Nope"
*sigh*

^^And yeah, money and a phone. You can't fix everything at the side of the road.

That's where the money and phone comes in!

Dubh_Ghaill

Thanks for the replies. Any suggestions on a saddle bag. Haven't a rashers what size to get. Looking at chainreactions and to be honest as suggested I don't want a "Caravan" under the saddle.



-DG

Jawgap

Dubh_Ghaill wrote: »

Got the bike,helmet,bib shorts,shoes etc.
However a thought hit me as I zoomed down Howth hill on Sat.
What should I be bringing out with me in case of emergency?
Spare tube? tools pump etc. Should I be picking up a saddle bag to carry this stuff ?
If so any suggestions.

Many thanks,
DG

I usually carry a spare tube or two - tyre levers - mini-pump - schrader adapter (let's you use garage pumps on your bike) - bike tool (not essential) - spare masterlink for the chain (based on previous experience when a chain snapped) - €20 wrapped in plastic.

the adapter, masterlink and money go in the hollow handle of my mini-pump.

awec wrote: »

Pump
Spare tube
Tyre levers

Get a small saddle pouch for the tube and levers, pump will attach to the frame. You may want a latex glove to keep your hands clean of oil.

Quicker to change tube at the side of the road than to repair a puncture. Bring the punctured tube home and repair it in the warmth of your house.

Dafuq type of incident are you expecting to happen while out on the bike:)

BailMeOut

Dubh_Ghaill wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Any suggestions on a saddle bag. Haven't a rashers what size to get. Looking at chainreactions and to be honest as suggested I don't want a "Caravan" under the saddle.



-DG

I have this BBB one. I like that it can extend in size by about 1/3rd which is handy for sportives if carrying extra snacks and you can take it off the bike really quickly. I can fit a spare tube and my rain coat in it.

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=7595

awec

Jawgap wrote: »

I usually carry a spare tube or two - tyre levers - mini-pump - schrader adapter (let's you use garage pumps on your bike) - bike tool (not essential) - spare masterlink for the chain (based on previous experience when a chain snapped) - €20 wrapped in plastic.

the adapter, masterlink and money go in the hollow handle of my mini-pump.



Dafuq type of incident are you expecting to happen while out on the bike:)

Taking off a dirty wet tyre, or having to handle the chain etc!

I don't carry one, but some people do!

Wishbone Ash

Dubh_Ghaill wrote: »

What should I be bringing out with me in case of emergency?

ID would be the most important in an emergency. You may be found buried under a vehicle coming down from Howth Head.

(Name, DOB, NOK contact details, PPS, address, medical conditions/allergies etc.)

Lusk Doyle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

ID would be the most important in an emergency. You may be found buried under a vehicle coming down from Howth Head.

(Name, DOB, NOK contact details, PPS, address, medical conditions/allergies etc.)

They should also have a bit for what way you voted in the "Did Lance Dope?" poll

jinkypolly

This is what I take out with me.



The bag is a Topeak Aero Wedge (I think it's the medium) about €18, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-aero-wedge-buckle-medium-saddle-bag/

I take 2 patches I can use as a "boot" (cut from a hose), a pliers/pen knife gadget with some cable ties stored inside, electrical tape with surgical gloves rolled inside, tyre levers, puncture repair kit with a few Allen keys inside and a spare tube. That leaves room for keys, money, some biscuits and my phone.

I'd also recommend getting a track pump to keep at home.

Roger Hassenforder

Would your track pump not fit in that bag?

Wishbone Ash

Jawgap wrote: »

schrader adapter (let's you use garage pumps on your bike)

Many filling station pumps only go to 60 psi.

jinkypolly

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

Would your track pump not fit in that bag?

C'mon it's not that big. (22cm long (ooer missus))

Jawgap

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Many filling station pumps only go to 60 psi.

Easier to get to 60 psi with a filling station pump than it is with a mini-pump;);)

torydiver

Aldi And Lidl saddlebags are great value,
The tools inside are usually crap(usually bin them) but at 5 or 6 euros, worth it just to get the bag........

Craig06

I got myself a Scion phantom 230 saddle bag. Quick to remove from the saddle as it hangs from a bracket on the rails. Just big enough for a tube and it has 2 tyre levers built into the design.