The Essential Bike Tools to Bring on Every Solo/Family Bike Ride

SOLO=GREEN                         FAMILY/GROUP=YELLOW+GREEN

Track Pump

Each morning before your ride you should ensure everyone’s tires are pumped up to the correct pressure. (Correct pressure for each type of tire will be visible on the side of the individual tire.)      [Check before you pump every time.  Every model of tire might be different.  ] This is best achieved with a track pump as you’re about to depart. With a pressure gauge and an easy to use design, it’s by far the most efficient method. Mini pumps are a useful accessory to carry in your pack in case of emergencies, but if you rely on them to pump your tires each time before a ride, well, that’s a workout in and of itself each time.

Bicycle Toolbox

Complete with wrenches, hex keys/ Allen keys, sockets, tIre levers, spoke keys, screwdriver heads and more, a good bike toolbox is perhaps the most useful piece of kit stored in your pack. Mechanical issues can occur at any time when on a family ride far from home and having a good toolbox ensures you’re covered. From nuts and bolts of all sizes across a variety of bicycles, it's hard to bring a specialized tool for each. A complete toolkit will cover all the options, and in a neatly organized box, they occupy minimal space in your pack. Ideal for any pre-ride checks or adjustments.

A Multi-Tool

One of the essential bike tools to carry, the reliable multi-tool, it has salvaged many a cycling trip from the jaws of disaster.  The simple multi-tool may be your primary weapon in terms of bike maintenance. At the very least, you should always carry one in your pocket. A good multi-tool is great for those on-the-fly adjustments. Whether cleat alignment or quick saddle height adjustments, they’re a convenient lightweight solution that can be easily carried in your saddle pack or back pocket.

Puncture Repair Kit

You should always carry spare tubes with you on your ride. After all, a puncture repair kit provides the most convenient method for getting up-and-running again quickly after a puncture.

Sometimes after an unlucky run of several punctures, you can run out of spare tubes on the road far from home. On a family/solo cycling trip, when one tube punctures, more punctures are likely never far away. Whether it’s glass, or thorns from hedge cuttings on the road, an unlucky encounter can see you coming. These obstacles are always present on the roads and trails, so pay attention.

A puncture repair kit is something you should pack. They’re especially useful if you're off the beaten track far from any bike shops. At the very least, being able to repair old tubes in the evening will ensure you're covered during an extended trip away.

Workstand

Workstands, also known as bike service stands, can be packed away. Check for collapsible stands that won't take up space on your ride.  Traditional bike stands will take up space. They’re an item well worth packing if you head off on a family bike trip. They are most useful when carrying out running repairs on a bike, especially when it comes to the drivetrain. With both wheels up off the ground, they enable you to engage the gearing, whether for lubrication or tweaking, ensuring it remains a one-person job. 

A workstand can be one of the most useful mountain bike tools. If you happen to be mountain biking on an extended trip with family, or on a solo "bike-pack" camping trip, a workstand can prove a most useful ally when it comes to cleaning your bike each evening. As we all know, dirt tends to find its way into those hard to reach nooks and crannies. With a workstand you can easily remove the wheels to get at those hard to reach areas such as the chain stay or seat stay.

Bike Chain Tool

Many things can go wrong on a family/solo bike trip, but perhaps the worst is a broken chain. It’s a show-stopper, and means you’ll need to wait for help to arrive if you haven’t packed a bike chain tool.

A bike chain tool will enable you to remove, repair, and refit your bike chain on the road. You simply remove the damaged links and rejoin both ends with the bike chain tool. It’s an almost effortless procedure that takes mere minutes, providing a neat solution to what can be a potentially major problem if you get stranded far from home.

Spoke Tool

A very simple and small tool, but once mastered, a buckled wheel can be quickly put true to ensure you can brake safely and ride smoothly if you hit a pothole or a curb at speed.

Cassette Remover

Whether you're competing, or are on an extended family trip where you’re taking in both high mountains and lowlands, a cassette remover is a useful tool to pack. It allows you to quickly and easily switch out a cassette with minimal effort. Definitely one for the more experienced mechanics out there

On the flat coastal roads, standard gearing may suffice, but on those steep mountain passes, you may want to quickly replace that road sprocket for the hillclimbing gears on the morning of a ride. The cassette remover holds the locking ring in place allowing you to unthread the cassette for a swift changeout.

At RichCity Rides BikeShop, we stock all manner of tools and gadgets to help ensure your family bike trip or solo ride runs smoothly. Remember, the right tools packed in the pack will give you the peace of mind you need to really enjoy the trip!

Be Safe, Stay Prepared, Think Ahead, And Happy trails cyclist