Bike Tools.

It really sucks that bikes can break, but suckier still is that you have to carry a number of tools (usually metal) to be sure things don’t go awry out there in the wild. Until something changes regarding this predicament, here’s my list as a starting point to help you get thinking. You can always go lighter or heavier depending on your situation. Feel free to add your expertise in the comments below!

A (bike) multi-tool. Not the same as a Leatherman-type multi-tool (see Basic Gear post). I’ve tried to strip down multi-tools to their basic parts to lighten my load, but I’ve found that manufacturers have done their best to do this already.

Allen keys (including one sized for your pedals) are a given, but a good tool should also provide a chain tool and perhaps even tire levers. A spoke wrench is handy as well. If you don’t have those items on your multi-tool, have them elsewhere.

Spare chain links. These are so small and light, I carry 9-, 10-, and 11-speed links in the case of needing to help out a mate.

Links and a valve stem.

A tire repair kit. I switched to tubeless tires years ago and have never gone back. However, once I lost a valve stem abroad and was thankful to have a spare tube handy. Local bike shops (LBS) will carry all sizes of tubes, but have one (or two) packed when riding.

Related to my mishap, consider a few spare valve stems and/or cores in your kit (see above pic).

A standard tire patch kit with glue should be fine. I keep my repair kit for other synthetic items (tent, rain jacket, etc.) together also with these things.

I have seen many local street repairers of bicycles and motorbikes that can get you rolling again. These guys are brilliant at improvised fixes, too.

Fixing a flat at Ankor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Lube. A personal choice, but I like ceramic lube. Choose wet or dry depending on your anticipated riding conditions. 

Don't lose your lube going through airport security!

Grease. You will be removing pedals, bars, and maybe posts when packing your bike, so have a bit of grease to show your bike you still care.

An air pump & gauge. CO2 inflators are for racers (and some tubeless situations), so taking them is really up to you. I typically just go with a compact pump and tire gauge to get my pressures right. Many airlines will ask you to deflate your tires when bringing a packed bike onboard, and many bike bags/cases will require this as well.

Not bad if you are racing.

A shock pump. Forks and shocks should be depressurized for flight and setup again upon landing.

Cable/zip ties. (also included in Basic Gear post) Get a few sizes. These are great for so many things.

A bike lock. A thick lock is just too heavy, so my advice is this: buy a light one made for locking up a seatpost or helmet and be extremely careful about where you leave your bike. Locks are really only a deterrent, so combine one with common sense and you should be fine.

When in a town, I kept my bike in a locked guesthouse room, with a parking guard whose job it was to watch over motorbikes, or within eyesight and locked to something solid.

In some countries locals will not have seen a dual-suspension 650b with big, knobby tires and will be quite curious. They might ask how much your bike cost out of simple curiosity. I decided to always lie or deflect this question to be safe. However, stealing a bike like yours might make the thief an obvious target and such a bike might be rather difficult to resell. I stand at 6’ 3”, and in SE Asia most people would find it rather difficult to even mount my bike.

Specialty tools. You may have a Mavic wheelset requiring a special spoke wrench or something else particular to your setup. Just do a mental rundown of your entire bike and be sure you have what you need.

Remember that you may need to improvise at times, and this will be an essential skill. Keep your eyes open for makeshift tools (a rock for a hammer, brushes to clean your bike, twine to lash down your load, etc.) and try not to overburden yourself with things that are unnecessary or can be worked around in clever ways.

Manhandling a bent chainring in northern Thailand.

 

Instant bike cleaning tool!