Must have spare parts/tools

[cosjp]

Hi - I'm preparing for a transcon starting in May and just wanted to gather opinions on the tools/parts most needed for emergency situations. I've got some basics covered - couple tubes, CO2 inflator, spare tire, pump, tire levers. What else would you have for those situations you might need to make a quick field repair? I know I need a good multi-tool and I'd love any feedback on ones you love. I'm wondering if I need a chain tool, spare links, etc. What else?

Thank you in advance!

[John Nelson]

Everybody draws the line some place different. Some items are more likely to be needed, but too heavy or bulky to consider (e.g., a spare wheel). I rule those out. Some items are less likely to be needed, but very easy to carry (e.g., spare cables). I take those. Other items are in between (e.g., a spare tire).

I would take what you have already mentioned (except for the CO2, which you can't take on a plane and aren't necessary if you have a pump). I might also consider spare spokes with nipples, a hypercracker, a couple of spare master links, a patch kit, tire boots, chain lube, spare brake pads, spare nuts and bolts for racks and cages, a presta/schrader adaptor, spare cleat bolts, electrical tape, duct tape, zip ties. Since you are already planning to take a multitool, get one with a chain tool included.

[John Nettles]

Ditto John's reply except I would strongly encourage you to take a pump.  If you have multiple flats before you can  buy new cartridges in the middle of Timbuktu you are SOL and basically have to hitch a ride.  Cartridges are nice around the home base.

Tailwinds, John

[cosjp]

Ditto John's reply except I would strongly encourage you to take a pump.  If you have multiple flats before you can  buy new cartridges in the middle of Timbuktu you are SOL and basically have to hitch a ride.  Cartridges are nice around the home base.

Tailwinds, John

Everybody draws the line some place different. Some items are more likely to be needed, but too heavy or bulky to consider (e.g., a spare wheel). I rule those out. Some items are less likely to be needed, but very easy to carry (e.g., spare cables). I take those. Other items are in between (e.g., a spare tire).

I would take what you have already mentioned (except for the CO2, which you can't take on a plane and aren't necessary if you have a pump). I might also consider spare spokes with nipples, a hypercracker, a couple of spare master links, a patch kit, tire boots, chain lube, spare brake pads, spare nuts and bolts for racks and cages, a presta/schrader adaptor, spare cleat bolts, electrical tape, duct tape, zip ties. Since you are already planning to take a multitool, get one with a chain tool included.

Thank you both! All of these suggestions make sense to me. I don't have to worry about a plane so I will keep the CO2 cartridges as they are easy to carry and my experience with some of the smaller pumps (I got the Lezyne Micro Drive Floor Pump) has been sometimes it's hard to get the tire to properly seat without enough pressure (or it just takes an extremely long time.) Everything else makes sense to me.

One other note that may help is generally speaking, with the exception of the first couple of weeks (John Nettles I think you have seen this already) I'm basically only looking at 80-90 mile intervals and in between I should be *mostly* in places I can pickup parts or get repair services should I need them. I'm looking mainly at what is it I would need to limp along 80-90, maybe 100 miles if I ran into an issue.

Appreciate you!

[Pat Lamb]

I know people like their CO2 cartridges, but while you can run out of cartridges, you can't run out of pump air if you're carrying a pump.  (Written by a person who had five flats one day.  Had to patch tubes, but I had plenty of air.  Some of the air might have turned blue by the end of the day...)  I was saved by a spare tire, but today I'd take a lightweight tire that might go 3-4 days while I was looking for a replacement at a bike shop or, more likely a post office up ahead.  Mail order and General Delivery together work really well; good bike shops can be a bit sparse on the road.

[cosjp]

I know people like their CO2 cartridges, but while you can run out of cartridges, you can't run out of pump air if you're carrying a pump.  (Written by a person who had five flats one day.  Had to patch tubes, but I had plenty of air.  Some of the air might have turned blue by the end of the day...)  I was saved by a spare tire, but today I'd take a lightweight tire that might go 3-4 days while I was looking for a replacement at a bike shop or, more likely a post office up ahead.  Mail order and General Delivery together work really well; good bike shops can be a bit sparse on the road.

Thanks! I will definitely have a pump! I have one spare tire already - I'll mull over if it's worth carrying that over a patch kit. Good point on the mail delivery!

[John Nettles]

Thanks! I will definitely have a pump! I have one spare tire already - I'll mull over if it's worth carrying that over a patch kit. Good point on the mail delivery!

Patch kits are basically for tubes, not tires.  A tire patch is the "patch kit" for tires.  Carry both as it can really suck to be a long way from a shop with tires and/or tubes. I have used a tire patch once, but I was so glad I had the tire patch as a long slit was in the sidewall which really allowed the tube to expand through the tire.  I carry two tubes as I do not like patching tubes but carry them as my flat record in one day is 4 I think. 

At minimum, I carry 2 tubes OR 1 tube and 1 patch kit.  I always have a tire patch as they are light, compact, and require no maintenance.  You should carry the adequate number of cartridges plus 1 if you do not take a pump. You are much more likely to use 2 tubes in one day than a hypercracker or even a spare tire. Plus a pump is good for rescuing (which I have done a few times) those who use cartridges  .

Mail delivery is great but probably at least one day's delay (probably 2-3) plus the expense of next day air.  While Mail is great as a pre-planned resupply and as a backup, I would not want it as my primary method.

[John Nelson]

There was never any question about a pump. He said in the original post that he was going to bring a pump, and no one suggested otherwise.

But definitely carry a pump that can generate sufficient pressure. There are many of them and there’s no reason to carry a pump that can’t do the job.

I see no downside to carrying a patch kit and a tire boot.

[cosjp]

There was never any question about a pump. He said in the original post that he was going to bring a pump, and no one suggested otherwise.

But definitely carry a pump that can generate sufficient pressure. There are many of them and there’s no reason to carry a pump that can’t do the job.

I see no downside to carrying a patch kit and a tire boot.

I think the pump I got is a good middle ground between I know I'll work a bit, but it can generate the pressure and is both schrader and presta compatible. https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/mechanical-products/products/1-mp-mfdr-v204hv (with gauge)

Thanks! I will definitely have a pump! I have one spare tire already - I'll mull over if it's worth carrying that over a patch kit. Good point on the mail delivery!

Patch kits are basically for tubes, not tires.  A tire patch is the "patch kit" for tires.  Carry both as it can really suck to be a long way from a shop with tires and/or tubes. I have used a tire patch once, but I was so glad I had the tire patch as a long slit was in the sidewall which really allowed the tube to expand through the tire.  I carry two tubes as I do not like patching tubes but carry them as my flat record in one day is 4 I think. 

At minimum, I carry 2 tubes OR 1 tube and 1 patch kit.  I always have a tire patch as they are light, compact, and require no maintenance.  You should carry the adequate number of cartridges plus 1 if you do not take a pump. You are much more likely to use 2 tubes in one day than a hypercracker or even a spare tire. Plus a pump is good for rescuing (which I have done a few times) those who use cartridges  .

Mail delivery is great but probably at least one day's delay (probably 2-3) plus the expense of next day air.  While Mail is great as a pre-planned resupply and as a backup, I would not want it as my primary method.

Aha good call! My plan is to have two tubes - but I'll definitely procure a patch kit for both tube and tire. I get it now. Many thanks!

[John Nettles]

There was never any question about a pump. He said in the original post that he was going to bring a pump, and no one suggested otherwise.

l understand.  I was just trying to (poorly it seems) point out the advantages of a pump.  His sentence "so I will keep the CO2 cartridges as they are easy to carry and my experience with some of the smaller pumps (I got the Lezyne Micro Drive Floor Pump) has been sometimes it's hard to get the tire to properly seat without enough pressure (or it just takes an extremely long time.)" made me think he was torn over using a pump or only the cartridges as the sentence was construed as to he is not a fan of pumps even though he also said he was definitely taking a pump.  I apologize for my confusion. 

[cosjp]

There was never any question about a pump. He said in the original post that he was going to bring a pump, and no one suggested otherwise.

l understand.  I was just trying to (poorly it seems) point out the advantages of a pump.  His sentence "so I will keep the CO2 cartridges as they are easy to carry and my experience with some of the smaller pumps (I got the Lezyne Micro Drive Floor Pump) has been sometimes it's hard to get the tire to properly seat without enough pressure (or it just takes an extremely long time.)" made me think he was torn over using a pump or only the cartridges as the sentence was construed as to he is not a fan of pumps even though he also said he was definitely taking a pump.  I apologize for my confusion.

No need to apologize. I apologize for the ambiguity! I have no reservation about using pumps. I'd actually prefer it. I've just had experience that sometimes a small pump is hard to get a tire to seat properly so I figure I'd keep the CO2 on hand for that purpose but my go-to is absolutely the pump.

[Jono1979]

Hi - I'm preparing for a transcon starting in May and just wanted to gather opinions on the tools/parts most needed for emergency situations. I've got some basics covered - couple tubes, CO2 inflator, spare tire, pump, tire levers. What else would you have for those situations you might need to make a quick field repair? I know I need a good multi-tool and I'd love any feedback on ones you love. I'm wondering if I need a chain tool, spare links, etc. What else?

Thank you in advance!

I'm preparing for my trip stating June 1st. My tool list sounds similar to yours. Two tubes (although I'm running tubeless), tire levers, pump. A good multi tool - can't go wrong with Park Tools, try and get one with a chain breaker on the tool. I also run disc brakes so I'll be packing a spare set of pads too.
If you have your bike     serviced a couple of weeks before the trip you should break a chain, but maybe it's a good shout having a spare quick-link.

[cosjp]

Hi - I'm preparing for a transcon starting in May and just wanted to gather opinions on the tools/parts most needed for emergency situations. I've got some basics covered - couple tubes, CO2 inflator, spare tire, pump, tire levers. What else would you have for those situations you might need to make a quick field repair? I know I need a good multi-tool and I'd love any feedback on ones you love. I'm wondering if I need a chain tool, spare links, etc. What else?

Thank you in advance!

I'm preparing for my trip stating June 1st. My tool list sounds similar to yours. Two tubes (although I'm running tubeless), tire levers, pump. A good multi tool - can't go wrong with Park Tools, try and get one with a chain breaker on the tool. I also run disc brakes so I'll be packing a spare set of pads too.
If you have your bike serviced a couple of weeks before the trip you should break a chain, but maybe it's a good shout having a spare quick-link.

Awesome! Which direction are you heading? I'm leaving a few weeks earlier than you maybe we'll cross paths lol. Although I am staying a bit higher than unusual.

I have a brand new bike so really I shouldn't have chain issues. That said - sh*t happens and if it does I don't want to be caught with my pants down lol. So I definitely think having a few extra links/rivets is handy considering they weigh almost nothing. I'll probably just make a little kit with things like that, some extra screws, cleat bolts, etc. Largely I expect the issues to be tires.

[jsc]

If you have a pump the CO2 cartridges and inflator are redundant.  Besides, have you ever noticed how quickly a tire loses pressure after being inflated with CO2? That's because CO2 is soluble in the butyl rubber that tube are made of.  It literally diffuses through the rubber to the lower pressure of the atmosphere. You'll need the pump to keep the tire properly inflated, so why take the extra load.

CO2 is great for a flat on short rides ,when you are back to the house that same day.  I use it.  When I get home I deflate and inflate the tire once or twice with a floor pump to purge the CO2 from the tube.

[cosjp]

If you have a pump the CO2 cartridges and inflator are redundant.  Besides, have you ever noticed how quickly a tire loses pressure after being inflated with CO2? That's because CO2 is soluble in the butyl rubber that tube are made of.  It literally diffuses through the rubber to the lower pressure of the atmosphere. You'll need the pump to keep the tire properly inflated, so why take the extra load.

CO2 is great for a flat on short rides ,when you are back to the house that same day.  I use it.  When I get home I deflate and inflate the tire once or twice with a floor pump to purge the CO2 from the tube.

The only reason is because I have historically had troubles getting tires to seat sometimes with smaller pumps. Sometimes the extra pressure from the CO2 cartridges helps and then it can be inflated with the pump.