![]() Most bike tool kits are designed to attach under your saddle or somewhere on your frame. The Topeak Gravel Gear Bag on our list, for example, includes tubeless-tire repair plugs and the Tubi 11 mini-tool, which is equipped for tubeless-tire repairs. ![]() Some, but not all, kits come with the gear you need to fix tubeless tires. First and foremost, that means choosing one that can fix tubeless tires if you have them. Make sure you pick a repair kit that can help you fix your specific bike. It takes some muscle to pump up a tube to 80 – 100 psi with a small hand pump, but it always works. Even if you prefer CO2, it’s a useful backup-some are designed to attach to your frame, and some are small enough to fit into a jersey pocket or even a seat bag. I’d always recommend carrying a mini pump, whether you bring CO2 along or not. Practice makes perfect, so I recommend using one at home before bringing them out on the road. That said, your CO2 is a limited resource: Each cartridge has enough gas to fill one tire, so there’s less room for error. You screw a cartridge into a CO2 holder, then insert the tube stem into the cartridge holder the same way you would with a pump, and slowly release the CO2 into the tire. Inflation Gear: CO2, Pump, or Both?Įvery rider has their own preference on the best tool for inflating their tires – CO2 or a pump.Ī CO2 cartridge inflates your tire fast, and using one takes a lot less work. One last thing to keep in mind: Though many bikes have quick-release skewers/axles, some bikes still feature thru axles, which require the proper hex wrench or wheel key to remove your wheel and fix a flat. The multi-tool will allow you to make minor adjustments to your bike like changing the seat height and loosening clipless pedals. If you’re unsure about which tubes to buy, ask someone at your local bike shop.īeyond fixing flats, many kits will also throw in a multi-tool with the most common hex wrench sizes (4, 5, and 6mm), a flat-head screwdriver, and possibly a T25 Torx bit (for properly tightening down bolts). If you have wheels with deep rims, you may also need a longer valve to properly fill the tube with air. To complete your kit, you will need to purchase inner tubes specific to your bike to keep with your kit, as no one stock kit can accommodate every style and size out there. More specifically, it should have bike levers, a patch kit, and one of two tools to inflate a tire – either CO2 cartridges and an inflator head or a mini pump. ![]() What tools do you need in a bike tool kit?Ī properly stocked bike kit should, at the very least, give you all the tools you need to fix a flat tire. Some folks might prefer to buy a saddle bag and gradually build a repair kit over time with the tools they want, but it’s easier - and more affordable - to buy an off-the-shelf kit (especially if you’re starting from scratch.) If that sounds like your speed, you can rest assured that there are repair kits for every kind of cyclist, with a range of styles to help you fix every kind of problem. What to Consider When Buying a Bike Tool Kit I've trekked across a good part of the world, from Beijing to Istanbul, through eastern and western Europe. ![]() I'm an all-weather bike commuter, member of CRCA, the New York Cycling Club, and Transportation Alternatives, as well as a gravel and road rider who, once long ago, actually raced. The Expert: I'm a New York-based journalist who writes about cycling and outdoor gear for HuffPost, Adventure Cycling Magazine, BBC Travel, Vulture, Dirt Rag Magazine, and many others.
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