I'd add inner tube patch kit. We are so used to just putting a brand new inner tube in that we forget - "when you get one puncture, you're likely to get another" - either through poor technique (puncturing the inner tube when installing it), or environment (hedges have been trimmed, thorns everywhere).
It's a fair point you make, David. I tend to swap out, and then patch at home. Just easier that way. But the point you make is an important one, repair, don't replace. Thanks for watching, Jon
Thank you for the video.. I take a old expired Drivers license in my jersey pocket. This is as far as a medic will look for I.D. They won't be touching your phone or looking anywhere else.
*2 tyre levers just in case. I turned around one day when I forgot my eyewear and living on top of a hill was fun as it was instant water works on the way down lol. But won’t leave the house without the Garmin RTL515 Radar, it’s so cool! I generally take an age to get ready as I use 2 Garmin Virb Ultra 30 action cameras, front headlight, radar, computer, phone, drinks, helmet, food and I’m sure the repair kit is in the useless saddle bag. Should just get a small frame bag. Oh good shout on the chain link!!
I relocated about a year ago, and now have a bit of an issue with cars. My Garmin radar is now an essential bit of kit. I'm also trying out the radar from IGPSport...... Watch this space for a review!!
I always wear a florescent yellow/green safety vest now over my riding kit, I know it’s not very stylish and covers up the fancy jersey we all like, but just might catch the eye of all the motorists who are busy checking their phones these days
Additional stuff: patch kit for me. Carrying a spare tube allows a quick recovery, but if when checking the inside of the tyre you missed a little bit of that thorn that caused the puncture n the first place and you don't have a second spare tube...
In addition, other things I take, especially for a longer solo ride: two inner tubes + basic repair kit, emergency foil blanket + alcohol wipes with a few plasters, kevlar cord emergency spoke, spare gear & spare brake cable, small tube of sun cream, re-useable cable ties, small pack of tissues, spare cheapo glasses for close work, & double mitts.
"One of those people with a squeaky bike. Oil their chain for them. They'll never know." That's for sure! If they're completely ignorant to the sound of crickets being ground in a food mill they will be ignorant to the lack thereof!
Most important item is a good back light and a brightly coloured jersey, not the black one you are wearing in the clip. There are so many newbies out there head to toe in black these days and to me it’s just stupid.
A wrist ID medical bracelet because if a paramedic finds you they are going to be likely checking your pulse and not digging through your pockets, phone or saddle bag
A spare derailleur hanger - I’ve witnessed several riders having to get their wife to come and rescue them because their hanger broke. Don’t cost much and weigh very little. (The hanger, not the wife.) Great videos, keep it up.
Thanks. I don't take a multi-tool as I find its bulky and much of it is redundant. I have one of those v small cylindrical alloy chain splitters and a v small stubby screwdriver with hex bits inside the handle (Wera). Also, I was unfortunate enough to suffer a double puncture from a common cause on a longish ride so now I take one tube plus a v small Park Tool puncture box into which I keep my chain link and one latex glove. I wrap my spare butyl tube very tightly in brown paper and sellotape so that it's protected from nicks in the bag from locks/tools etc. A TPU tube is much smaller if you are confident with them (comments?). I also take an individually wrapped wipe. I hate stuffing hard/heavy objects in my jersey so I have a "large" saddle bag for all day rides and a smaller one for less than a few hours.
Paper cash can be used to fix a blown out tire. I have done it successfully with a folded dollar bill tucked between the tube and blown tire. Got me home no problem.
Good call, David. Not been to the US for a while. Are your bills like ours nowadays, where they have plastic in them to make them last longer? The UK £5 note is so tough, you can't rip it!
The trouble with a storage tub is it uses up a bottle cage - most saddle bags have Velcro straps - very easy to put on and take off.....plus many saddle bags _are_ waterproof.....I have a Rockbros and it's brilliant !
Fair point, Blaze. I suppose it depends on where you ride, and the opportunities you'll get to fill up. For me personally, one bottle is fine. Also, my saddle rails and seatpost are both carbon, so I'd rather not hand stuff off them. It's all about individual circumstances, I suppose. Thanks for the info 👍
@@ribblevalleycyclist My bike is Carbon too - normally saddle bags have 3 attachment points which distributes the weight evenly so there is next to no stress from my small/medium saddle bag + most of the heavier stuff I put in pouches in the back pockets of my cycling jersey.
I am so happy i discovered your channel! So much fun. A few items to add if you are riding tubeless. Plugs/bacon strips and still take a tube as you never know when your sealant won’t seal. Oh I also take a small patch kit for tubes. One never knows when you may deal with multiple flats on a ride.
When I rode the Helensburgh to Flagstaff Hill criterium for the Wollongong road U.C.I. course last September , I overpacked and the weight caused me to struggle on the headland steep hills .
Useful ideas and a number that I had not thought of myself. As an ex motorcycle racer, I still have my necklace with name, DOB and blood type. I put this on most rides these days - sign of the times!
Mobile phone... critically important in an emergency. Just plop it into the rear jersey pocket so when that emergency happens, you'll have fallen off your bike and broken it. Worth it. Because carrying it in a safe top tube bag is so uncool.
Along with cash, I take a credit card. I also always have a small tube of sunscreen and a small tube of Eucerin or petroleum jelly. One other item to bring along with a spare tube is a patch kit. I've had my spare tube go on me and had to patch one of them, or patch a large hole in the tire (tyre for you Mr. Ribble Valley Cyclist).
Thanks, Greg, All really good ideas. Suncream hasn't been an issue in 2023 for us over here in the UK 🙁. Agreed, you can't have too many puncture repair options. Thanks for watching. Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist Jon, just bumped into your channel. Really good stuff. I watched the vid on electronic vs. mechanical. Really enjoyed the candor. No hype, just some good facts. I'm a Di2 fan these days. Love never missing a shift. Anyway, have a great weekend mate.
Great advice however, I wouldn't bother with the oil (maybe because I use wet lube and the rain's not gonna wash it off the chain). I wouldn't use the tub because that's where I put my second water bottle. I always pack a pump and a c02.
Thanks, archiecraig. I have had it in UK downpours when touring that the chain has gone dry, but I admit, its rare. If you're regularly passing places to top up, then one bottle is fine. For me, I've only ridden two rides where I needed 2 bottles. Agreed, Co2 is great, until it runs out..... and then you're wishing you had a pump 🤣
Plugs/spigot-keep handy for quickuse/glue-if running tubeless. Something to ID puncture site(s). MUST self-adhesive puncture patches. Will take up brilliant tip ref oily fish and spare lube. Thanks
Good shout Steve. How have you got on with the self-adhesive puncture patches? I've always looked at them with an amount of scepticism...... Am I wrong to do so?
Work up to 50-60 PSI, so ideal for MTBing/gravel. When riding road pressures I would use replacement tube preferably, but would get you home if necessary. Thanks for reply.
Id also take my phone and make sure i got "3 words" installed just in case you seriously come a cropper somewhere remote so emergency services can find you precisely! 🙂🙂🙂
Photochromic glasses ( for when day turns to night and visa versa) , spare battery bank, first aid kit ( for wasp stings bug bites and scrapes) Now you mentioned a lot of stuff. How do you carry all of that? Not in that tub or your jersey pockets Carry so much. I use a backpack 😊. Better to have more and not need it, than to need it and not have it😊
Where do I put it all..... Good question. Here is the list again, and where I put it!!!! A Rain Cape - Jersey Pocket A Little Oily Fish - Tub Money (Cash) - Jersey Pocket A Multi-Tool - Tub A Split Link - Tub Tube & Lever - Tub 3M Helicopter tape or a bit of old tyre - Tub A pump or Co2 - Tub (Co2) Food/Water/Tabs - Jersey Pocket Mobile Phone - Jersey Pocket The little tub is a great idea, you can stuff so much in them.
Basically all what i take with me ..but you forgot a bit of toiletpaper and one desinfection paper-towel ( the once you get in the drugstore) to wipe your ass clean. 😂 a lot more comfortable in the bib then
Think it depends on where you ride, Olivier. If you're regularly passing places to top up, then one bottle is fine. For me, I've only ridden two rides where I needed 2 bottles. Thanks, Jon
IPhone: EMTs know this so fill out your health information ❤and they will find it with one swipe and two taps. Swipe up, tap emergency, tap medical ID. Makes your health data vulnerable but if there is more information the EMT needs then will fit on a bracelet (a great idea) you can have it there for them.
Put your name and an emergency contact on your phones lock screen. That way if you are unconscious the emts know who you are and who to contact. Also helpful if you lose your phone.
That’s exactly what I do. I have an underseat bag and a tool tub. Strange how you use the same kit as me, even the Crank Brothers multi tool. The item I often leave home without is my glasses and I’ve always returned for them. I’m using the Lazer photochromatic for the past 5 years or so, I;m looking for another pair as there’s no nose piece left on the pair I have. I have Oakley too, but almost never wear them, they conceal too much of the road. Maybe a photochromatic lens to prevent wasting them? I don;t know.
I've been stalking you, James, and stealing your ideas 🤣. I always wedge my glasses into my helmet, so I know where to find them.......... usually! A photochromic lens.... I've personally never considered this. I have the Prizm Road Lens in my Oakleys, which I struggle with in the winter months. So I just switch them out with cheap clear lenses when it gets really bad.
Good call Kubilay, but not too loud..... need to hear that truck coming up from behind. And yeah, hydration is a big one..... not so much in the UK at the moment though 😬
Never listen to anything out on the road, bicycle or motorcycle, except the wind and your surroundings Ears wide open. Its why i'm still alive coming up to 63...
@@ribblevalleycyclist Never wear earphones while on the road as it can prevent you from hearing other road users . Many ear or headphones are noise cancelling like Bose for example .
Please can you explain how do you repair your tire with the M3 Helicopter tape? I used it to protect my bike frame from rubbing bags and still have some leftovers
Looks too complicated. My recipe: 1. Spare tube 2. Small multitool to be able to fix - seatpost, thru axle, stem, bottle cages, rear/front derailleur, with an extra head 10mm hex for the cranks 3. Quicklink 4. Two/NO tire levers (depending on the tire) 5. 3-4 self-adhesive patches (good for both butyl and latex inner tubes, tested) 6. Tiny pump to be able to pump up to 60 PSI in a reasonable time (tested on two occasions) 7. Small zip bag - to fit laminated copies of ID card, HE card, few banknotes, 2 paper handkerchief, home keys. 8. Smartphone Everything is pretty small and fit my jersey pocket. It is always ready for every ride. I do not recommend to use nitrile gloves, as after they contact with sweat (in a back pocket of your jersey) - they start to decay. As an emergency nutrition - take a small package of Haribo ;). Crankbrothers multitool really starts to get rusty, but if you use an anodized one, it doesn't matter. Smartwatches with payment support (I use Garmin pay) are also very handy, especially if during your ride you cross the border.
So you´re saying that the carbon saddle rails and the carbon seat post will break og wear in contact with a saddle bag? Come on! And I often need both my wather bottles.
No, I'm not saying it, the manufacturers are. Objects strapped to carbon, that move around, will rub and cause damage. You just need to look at the damage caused to carbon frames when strapping mudguards to them. And as my saddle cost £200, and a replacement post costs £250, I'd prefer not to take a risk. Rule #29. I am a very average cyclist that rides in very average places. The last time I used two water bottles was 07/05/2017...... and it turned out I was just being paranoid. The average cyclist can go for at least 50 miles on 1 bottle. The chances of the average cyclist not passing a water stop in that distance is unlikely. I regularly ride in excess of 100 miles, and have never run out of water. However, it's each to their own, this is just my advice, and you don't need to take it.
and where is the bike computer? or watch? ;-) Super list - I was there and reduced mechanical thingis to tubes and leavers now with just a multitool and missing link (tip: use the nice reusable one Connex)- rest is in my garage and not needed on the road (otherwise I would have to take... service car with me). I recently bought nice, slim biking/running rucksack and no more saddle bag - much better for me as - because of UK weather - I can have in it more than rain coat - extra layers or so. Oh, one key to all the gloves topic: use wax rather than oil to lubricate your chain - this way no dirty hands ;)
You bring way too many things with you. You’re not on an expedition. If my chain brakes (hasn’t happened in 20 years) I’ll call my wife, a friend or a taxi. I have my phone with me and also an Apple Watch that will call emergency services if I fall or crashes. It actually works. It called my dad and wife when I bunny jumped a big pothole on my road bike. I also have Apple on my watch and phone so I can pay everywhere.
Why would I bring a tube with the tubeless 😅😂 just bring tubeless stripes and make sure you top up the sealant! I guess you never rode tubeless!! Also you if you do long rides, to use the bottle cage to carry tools is not an option! On nutrition, don't go over your expertise....
All of my bikes are tubeless, and have been for years. Thats why I always ride with a tube, a bit of old tyre and 3M helicopter tape. Fingers crossed, you never find out why! Thanks for watching, Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist as far as I am aware, the worst case scenario I had was a cut on the side of the tyre and I just put a tubeless string and it stopped the hole so then the sealant would seal the hole. Would you seriously take a tubeless tyre out in the road and put a tube inside?? I want to see first if you even manage to take the tyre out with all the sealant etc which is in! The piece of tyre and tape might be a solution but you had to be terribly unlucky to get such a hole which cannot be tackled by the tubeless strings...
@@zambokid89 I can recall the exact date and location when this happened to me last. Saturday, 6 August 2022, descending from Blea Tarn, into Coniston. I hit a lump of flint in the road, that cut the sidewall of a Veloflex Corsa Race TLR tyre. Nothing would seal the cut in the sidewall. So, I had no choice but to remove the tyre, flush the sealant out with my bidon, and fit a tube with helicopter tape covering the hole. If I hadn't had a tube, I would've had a 5 mile walk, in the road, in cleats. And there have been other times too. I can assure you, it happens a lot.
@@ribblevalleycyclist I had a similar experience going down Cheddar Gorge, probably it was also a lump of flint and I had a cut on the sidewall but luckily I managed to plug it (widening the hole). I guess it is very bad luck...
