tour tool(s) for spoke change

[AronL]

I'm leaving for a tour soon and I'm loathe to again bring my heavy 9" crescent wrench, the smallest that will fit my freewheel tool.  (Yes, freewheel, not cassette; it's a Specialized Expedition from the 80s.)  Anyone thought of options ?  I have read about carrying emergency spokes custom-made with an L bend at hub end.  I could also gamble, but that's not a good idea in general and specifically not on the NV parts of the Western Express.  And I've already broken a spoke in a remote area and was very glad I had the wrench and freewheel removal tool.
Thanks for any tips.
P.S.: Out of curiosity, what do tourists using cassettes bring along; chain whip AND freewheel tool ?  That seems doubtful.

[erniegrillo]

If you're looking for a backup solution give this a thought. I was having a problem a number of years ago with breaking spokes on the rear of our tandem. I bought an item called "fiberfix". It's an emergency spoke repair kit consisting of gortex cord and a turnbuckle to adjust it. I had to use it during a tour of the Columbia Gorge and it worked great. They are availabe thru Adventure Cycling and many bike shops.  

[wanderingwheel]

The FiberFix spoke is probably your best option.  For a cassette, I have an old Hypercracker which is little more than a stamped piece of sheet metal and uses the frame and drivetrain to unscrew the lockring.  Nifty little gizmo.  I seem to recall a similar tool for a freewheel, but it's probably long out of production if it ever existed in the first place.

Sean

[bktourer1]

I carry the freewheel tool,but not a wrench.  Stop at at garage and ask to borrow a wrench and a vise.  I have used tools at garages before.  Before you leave, get that plastic dish removed from the wheel.  With that off, you should be able to replace a spoke on the drive side.  I carry a fibrefix to use if I were to break a spoke and its pouring.  A spoke swap should take you about the same amount of time to fix a flat.

[RussellSeaton]

"P.S.: Out of curiosity, what do tourists using cassettes bring along; chain whip AND freewheel tool ?  That seems doubtful."

Pamir Hypercracker and a spoke wrench and a spare spoke.

The Stein Hypercracker is the new replacement since Pamir is no more.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/stein-mini-lock/index.html