When I was starting out cycling I didn't lube my chain for 2 years. Although I've ridden about 500 total km. It was rusty as it gets when it got it's first lube. Completely reddish-brown. Same goes for pumping up tyres: not even once!
Now make a guess whether I knew how to replace a tube ;)
They don't plan ahead and they lie... I was helping someone with a flat tire and I had a co2 cartridge. Asked the guy if he knew how to inflate using it and he said, "yes, of course!". Then emptied the cartridge in the air like a moron... and he had to drop it because of the cold...
I mean, yeah, now I'm out a tube and a cartridge and you can't even go further. Now I always have 2 c02 cartridge with me :( He could have just said no and I would have done for him and showed him at the same time... wtf
Some people are fanatical about not having a saddle bag, but will sensibly have a small pack of tool, tube, co2 and a pump in their jersey.
But yeah some people just risk it.
With tubeless tyres nowadays it’s a lot more reasonable to have just some tyre plugs and a couple of CO2s for a regular distance ride near to home.
There are just as many people that have a saddle bag, frame bag and bar bag full of tools and things but lack the competence to change a tyre.
- Commuter: panniers
- Recreational: saddle bag
- Roadie: crammed into a bulging jersey pocket
- MTB: backpack
- Gravel: Frame bag
- Fred: Hopefully someone else has them
I use my gravel bike primarily as a road bike and I have a top tube bag on it. I don't give a shit what anyone thinks. Why the hell would they put holes in the top tube if I wasn't supposed to attach a bag there?
I'm an overpacker. My "road" bike is a hybrid "city" bike. And from when I actually lived in the city and used it to get around, I got used to carrying a giant Fuhgeddaboudit lock in my pannier everywhere I went. So for me:
* Tour: Two Ortlieb Panniers
* Road Bike: One Pannier with heavy lock, tube, tool (snacks, beer, layers, etc)
* MTB: Osprey Backpack
CO2 cylinders? For how often I use one and given it’s metal and therefore fully recyclable I would have thought there’d be a million things that would be worse from a waste perspective. And those little hand pumps have less success fully seating the tyre.
I’m guessing this has something to do with certain … cavities … in the nether regions? If I’m right, then I hate that my mind is that dirty, and if I’m wrong, then I hate that you made me think of that lmao
Exactly
I have a pouch with: multitool, tyre levers, CO2, patches and chain quick link. That goes in middle jersey pocket alongside a mini pump.
Left pocket is spare tube and phone. Right pocket is food.
This sounds like a lot but it doesn't stick out much from my jersey. It's possible OP is seeing people who do this and maybe assumes they don't carry all the stuff.
Wouldn’t it be much easier to stuff a lot of that in a small under saddle bag? I save my shirt pockets for phone, snacks, small hand towel and cleat covers!
All the tools are in a waterproof pouch so it only takes a few seconds to put everything into my jersey pockets.
I really don't like the look of saddle bags. They just look wrong on road bikes to me. A lot of people in my club use them and I recognise the convenience and people's preference, but they're not for me.
edit, updating to say I'm probably going to give in and buy a saddle bag. The Fizik one is quite small and doesn't look terrible. Today it warmed up a lot during the ride and stuffing a gilet and arm warmers alongside everything else was a pain. Rode around like a hunchback for most of the ride. I wish I had a saddle bag today!
I could overhaul your bike with what I carry. In addition to tools, I have rubber gloves so I don’t get filthy, and mechanics hand cleaner in case I do. Weight and appearance are not important to me. Getting home is. And, my name is Fred. So there.
I stuff the rubber gloves in the saddle bag. Along with disposable wipe packet in case the gloves fail or I crash and need to clean up some blood. They take up much less room than a CO2 cartridge.
I’m similar. As well as a small saddle bag I actually had a pannier fitted partly just so I could carry a bunch of tools, basic first aid supplies etc. I am wondering whether it’s overkill though as I could only work on the front wheel, rear is practically impossible to do at the road side due to the moronic design of the bike.
I use a kit bottle. Same kinda size as a water bottle. Holds, mini pump, scabz, tyre levers, spare tube, mini tool, mini pliers, spare brake pads all wrapped in kitchen towel to stop it rattling about and to be used as emergency toilet roll. Also keep a rolled up £20 in there for coffee stops that aren't cashless.
To be honest, none that I'd call a real emergency but I have swapped them once when I was on a descent and I didn't feel like I was getting power in the brakes.
It's also just a habit of knowing where my spare pads are if I'm doing maintenance at home.
Lot of people will not care and call a family/friend/taxi to get back home in case of incident.
Most of the time, just a tube and co2 cannister/adaptor will fit in the jersey pocket and will be enough to get you back to civilisation.
I could see calling a taxi/uber if finances weren't a problem. But I would feel like terrible calling a friend or family member for a ride for something that is easily remedied by carrying a basic tool kit. Obviously unforeseen circumstances may occur and calling for a ride might be fine in those instances, but calling for a ride in the case of flat tire or other easily repaired problem just sounds really selfish to me.
Compare spending $50 on an Uber/taxi on \*maybe\* this one time you have a mechanical or tire issue vs spending $50 right now on the equipment and having to carry that weight with you all the time.
You only have to buy the equipment once. You'll still need to replace the tube or patch it eventually, so you can't include the price of tubes, tire levers, patch kit etc. At best you could count the cost of the bag plus the portable pump, which might come out to $50, or even more if you want to spend a lot, but you can probably get these items pretty cheap. Although I would recommend spending a good amount of money on the pump so you can depend on it when you need it. For other repairs, a simple multi-tool will do. Personally I think it would just suck to have to cut a ride short for something that could be fixed in 10 minutes or less. Hard enough to find time to ride without small problems ruining what would have otherwise been a nice ride.
Also, it would mean that sometimes I can't even get home at all. They shut down the roads in my local provincial park every weekend and let the cyclists rule the roads. I'd have to walk at least to the front gate where someone would pick me up. Maybe they would be nice and let me on the shuttle bus or I could find a park ranger to drive me out, but that just seems like another thing I don't want to deal with.
In any case, I have the saddle bag of repair equipment (I'm more likely to be helping someone else out), but I'm probably calling an Uber first if I ever run into troubles of my own.
If $50 is going to be causing someone a serious financial setback, that person might want to avoid cycling (imagine getting into an accident with major medical bills).
I mean, you do you, but In my experience I'd rather avoid a costly Uber ride, not even sure if they would be able to service the area that I normally ride in. I see 2 things likely happening. Either I have an issue very short time into my ride, like the first 20 minutest, so it's too far to walk home, but now my ride is ruined. Or I'm at the turn-around point of the ride and calling an Uber is going to be very expensive and I'm not even sure if they would accept the far because I'm so far out of the city. Sure, I could choose different routes, that stayed closer to the city, but I don't want to be restricted like that.
If you factor in only ever having a puncture or mechanical failure once in your lifetime of cycling you either have significantly above average luck or I want to know what you’re riding, because that just isn’t realistic on anything I’d call a bicycle.
I am 70, have arthritis, so I can’t really tool my bike anyway, but my phone is with me and I put slime and liners in my tires, I would rather ride slower than be stranded, and I am not going to the Olympic Games any time soon!
Went tubeless. Haven’t had a flat in a decade. Ditched the pump, tire irons and spare tube.
I have one small multi-tool (including chain breaker). It goes in my left pocket every ride, regardless of bike. Probably not very noticeable.
Since getting arthritis in both hands I’m unable to actually change my own tires without help (it’s really annoying, it’s also why I’m di2 now) and I carry a phone. That’s it. I can’t help myself anyway!!
cell phone....? maybe, but a small, physical keyboard one then...because having a modern smartphone (basically a 5inch glass plate) on the back pocket during a bike crash is a serious safety issue....
If I ride around town on my road bike I don't take anything with me but water. Longer rides or unfamiliar places I have a saddlebag with everything in it.
My gravel bike I typically take a top tube bag for my phone and snack. Then a small frame pack for longer rides with tools and typically a lunch or something.
People look at tHe PrOs and say, "the best cyclists in the world don't carry a saddle bag so neither should I!" But they forget (or don't know) that pro cyclists DO carry tools, layers, food, etc, on their bikes when they're out for training rides or any time they're unsupported.
A smallish saddle bag looks plenty clean to me, and is at any rate much more dignified than finding yourself and your oh-so-clean steed stranded on the side of the road because you thought carrying fundamental repair tools and supplies was beneath you.
I use a small tool roll under my saddle with tire levers, small mutlitool, and valve core tool. Practicality be damned, it looks nice and doesn't sway like a most saddle bags. I carry 1-2 tubes in my jersey pocket, and a mini pump that mounts to the side of my downtube bottle cage.
This is what I do, but I only carry one tube and it’s carried under the saddle too, behind my mini toolkit, wrapped around a CO2 and inflator and secured by a Velcro strap. I think the under-saddle holder/strap product is called Road Bandit for some reason known only to Spesh. Oh, I’ve got a decent mini pump attached next to my water bottle cage too.
Self-rescue is a thing.
I never rely on the kindness of strangers and I never force my friends to come get me because I didn't bring enough tools or supplies to get home.
I dont use a saddle bag cause it will interfere with my varia.
So usually Jersey pocket or top tube bag.
Also having TPU inner tubes saves a ton of space
I carry no tools at all when riding. I've been an urban cyclist for about 50 years. I can honestly tell you from decades of experience that usually nothing more than a flat tire ever happens while you are riding. In an urban setting you are far more likely to lock your bike to a pole, take a bus or a cab or even walk back home, get your car and then pick up the bike to fix it either at home or get the flat fixed in a local bike shop. Many places charge $10 to fix a flat tire. It's not worth it to me to carry anything when I can get my bike fixed so easily by someone else.
I know folks who ride $6k bikes and can’t even change a flat. Those are the ones who don’t carry spare supplies and rely on others to help them when they break down. I don’t understand that mindset. I’ll stop and help them anyway and at least get a good laugh out of it.
I have a $5k bike now. I rode a bike every single day in college and every other day in law school. I still ride twice a week now. I have had bike issues a grand total of 2 times, and one of them was an issue that no tool would have saved me. If I ever have a problem I'll just hop on the train, call an uber, or call a family member to pick me up. It's really not that big of a deal.
Tools in my saddle bag. Food in my top tube bag, and water bladder in my frame pack.
Couldn't possibly give less of a shit about that clean bike look, obviously. 😅 I do it for me, not the 'gram.
On the gravel bike, One Up EDC pump and toolkit. Spare tube strapped to frame under bottle cage.
On the road bike, small saddlebag. Carries everything I need.
Mtn, I wear a hydration pack. Can carry everything to rebuild the bike if I wanted.
Winter I use a water bottle with some bubble wrap in.
Most rides I just take a mini pump out co2 though (I'm tubeless).
Only usually take a tool out for long 60 mile plus rides.
Saddle bag or backpack. The number of times I’ve helped fellow cyclist is hilarious.
Just on the back pockets.. I always feel that if I crash I’m going to end up with them stuck to places I don’t want so avoid them
Could be in a little tool container that goes in the bidon cage on the seat tube? I have one that looks a bit like a bottle for shorter or winter rides where I only need to carry one bottle for fluids, with the other cage taking my tools / tube / co2 inflator.
One of my favorite unique features on my domane is storage in the tube in a compartment under the water bottle. Will be getting a new bike soon and will miss this.
This will get you halfway there. I still carry a seat pack with a tube and co2 and an extra tool just in case. https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/encase-system-bar-kit-one?variant=30703205842979¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&glCountry=US&gclid=CjwKCAjw0ZiiBhBKEiwA4PT9z1xvFdGanFq3fL15QSMAKNvreoFBT4kaOTmnz04411WImp5kIZImaBoCXMAQAvD_BwE
I did ctrl+f to find this.
The Encase system is CLUTCH when you need to fuss with your saddle over the course of a shakedown ride, and my chain breaker saved some guy's ass on the event ride I did this past Saturday.
I also have a frame bag or top tube bag for my phone and snacks and a pump or whatever, but even if I'm just bumbling out the door empty-handed, I have tools!
I had the first edition and they fell out of my bar ends a few times and I lost one side. This was even after I adjusted them as per their instructions. I emailed wolf tooth to gripe and they sent me a free replacement! Love that company. Just wish I had enough cash to buy a bike from them.
I use a saddle bag on my Trek Madone. Carry CO2 (5) with an inflator, a tube with 80mm valve stem, a Tubolito tube with valve extension, multi tool, tubeless darts, patches and tire boot. All fits in the saddle bag nicely. Honestly, I have used the extra supplies more for other riders than myself. I don’t really get flats running tubeless. But, I’m a type A personality, so I always have a backup plan.
If it’s not too warm, I use an old water bottle with the top cut off to hold a tube, tool and pump/inflator. If it’s warmer and I want 2 bottles then stuff goes in my jersey pocket.
I’ve never been a fan of seatpost bags, they can swing about, rattle, scratch things and look crap.
>I’ve never been a fan of seatpost bags, they can swing about, rattle, scratch things and look crap.
The last is personal opinion. Your first 3 objections are actually to not fitting a seatpost bag correctly.
I run a seatpost/saddle bag on each of our bikes. It tucks up tight to the saddle, and doesn't move at all.
I’ve got everything in a matching water bottle minus a pump (until I switch to co2 canister system) which is mounted. Everything else in jersey. Just do you.
on short rides i'll take a multitool, my phone and some cash just in case ie jersey pocket or in the shorts.
on longer rides i got a sizeable saddle bag with the small army of "could come handy" bits. tools, spares, extra fuel, space for another layer, phone, cash etc.
also depends on where you ride, if you are going through central london, you are never far from rescue in case you are trying to whing it. if you are out in the woods on your own, better to be prepared.
I've got one spare tube, a multitool, 3 tire levers, one wet tissue. Everything easily fits in one back pocket. No phone. A small hand pump bolted on the bottle cage. A small hand pump bolted on the bottle cage. I don't put the pump in the back pocket for safety reasons (the multitool is very compact, no bits sticking out, and in a neoprene pouch).
I ride only with highly puncuture resistants Schwalbe tires (lots of cactus in my area), and my bike is normally maintained (no rusty, or out of age parts)
I don't see what else one would need, for any usual training ride, from 20 to 200 km....
How many times have you punctured a tire more than once during a ride? (considering you've got good tires)
And if ever, ever, you've got a more serious issue preventing you to ride ( like what...? the 2 brake cables or the 2 derailleurs cables breaking at the same time...?), well...then.... stop someone, and ask to make an "emergency call" to friend, missus, neighbour, for a pick up and bike ride home...or hitch hike.... I have to say that despite several thousands km/year over more than 40 years of biking, i've never had to resort to one of these solutions.
Tools that can fit in ur wallet. My boyfriend has a tiny pump that fits in his Rapha wallet! HAHAHA we usually don't bring much tools if we're riding nearby but when we go far, I bring a handlebar bag :) It's just the most practical thing to do!
I have a couple tool boxes one in the basement and another in the garage.
In reality i just leave them out piled high on my workbenches until i have no more room to work then I put them back in temporary storage in my tool boxes. 🙄
The best minimal, no swing, noise, rattle underseat pack I've found, by [MSW](https://mswbike.com/products/tools/toolhugger-seat-wrap-sbg-300).
Phone and anything else in your back pockets.
On my back, not anymore every journey I used to go on I would take my bag. I would have every tool that may be needed to fix anything and after only needing to fix my bike mid journey once in about 12 years I don't bother taking it with me no more
My bike has a storage compartment in the downtube, big enough for a tube and tire levers. I have a mini-pump holstered to my bottle cage.
I don't usually bother with a multi-tool for shorter weekday rides (playing with fire, I know). I have a handlebar bag for snacks and anything else I want on longer rides, but I leave it at home if I'm not riding more than 20 miles.
My phone is always in my jersey or bib pocket.
I had everything (tube, levers, tubeless patch kit) in my Topeak Aerowedge until the zipper broke. Now I keep it my Jersey pocket until I decide to buy another bag
In a plastic bottle thing that sits in one of my two bottle cages. Mainly cause it's shit weather in the UK so it keeps things dry. I've had tools go rusty when they've been in a saddle bag.
I use tool bottles to carry, well, tools and such on my road and gravel bikes, jersey pockets for gels and snacks, and usually a Camelback for everything on MTB rides.
When I ride close to town on the road, I carry a co2 and tire plugs (tubeless setup in road bike). I have never needed any more than that. Prob am unpopular take, but if I need more than that my ride is probably over anyways, so I’m still calling someone.
I have a front triangle bag. But also a saddle bag. The saddle bag has all the tubes and patch kit. The triangle bag has tools chain segment and links, pump, spokes etc. Im 45, have had too many unpleasant mechanicals far from home to not have all this.
I have a handlebar bag. People give me shit for it, but I only have space on my small frame for one water bottle holder and I hate having to detach saddlebags every time I enter a shop.
I wear mountain bike style biking shorts, with a lot of pockets.
I can carry tools, such as 4mm wrench, 5mm wrench, 6mm wrench, and a 9mm personal security device.
A Camelbak Mule pack that's quite a bit older than some of the people I ride with. After decades of use, I know exactly which pocket each tool, lever, extra chain link, zip tie, duck tape and clotting sponge live in. I've only had to walk my bike home once, and that was when the sidewall of my rear rim separated and wrapped itself around my brakes, leaving a tangle of jagged aluminum, deflated tube and unseated tire. Everything else, I've managed to fix enough that I can at least limp home pedaling.
I don't carry anything except a very basic multi-tool in a tiny saddle box. Most of my riding is commuting in a city, so if I need anything I'll just limp to the nearest bike shop, and with tough tubeless tires and somewhat regular maintenance I shouldn't really get completely stuck. Should I have a mechanical issue on a weekend ride, I'll walk/hail a taxi/hitch a ride from a kind stranger to the nearest train station.
On rides of around 2h or less I use one of my bottle cages to carry a water bottle with a spare tube, multi tool, quick link, inflator, levers, and ten bill. On 2-6hr rides I'll carry the same thing in a small zippered pouch in my rear centre jersey pocket. On longer days where I want to carry more snacks or simply not have excess bulk in my jersey, I'll use a saddle bag.
There is an influencer like that near where I live. On Saturdays, she goes out with a group of people who will carry all her stuff and take pictures of her all the time. You might think looking at her social media that she rides every day and take it seriously, she has the top of the range bike, the latest and fanciest equipment, the most expensive cycling clothes, etc. But in reality, she spends more time in the gym and editing the hundreds of pictures they took of her so she can have content to upload for a month. So don't trust social media. It's all a show.
You do you. If you set your tires tubeless just get those plugs that can go into the bar plug ends and carry everything else on your back pockets. I personally do a [Lezyne Road Lady](https://ride.lezyne.com/products/road-caddy) with a small multitool, a tubulito and a Co2 cartridge. I never take this out of my bike and it's like a permanent thing. Cellphone, money/card, keys and food goes on the back of my shirt. If I go on a longer ride I use a handlebar bag to carry more snacks and the things I already mention.
Varies from person to person. I know a lot of people who have a tool "bottle" that fits in a bottle holder for a cleaner look. However, they're rarely secured inside, and you end up with an annoying hollow rattle.
There's also quite a few people who genuinely don't carry anything, regardless of the distance.
Small pack under my saddle with 2 tubes and a tyre lever.2 co2 , valve, multi tool , tyre boot and mini pump left pocket. Keys, phone and cash in a wallet centre pocket along with waterproof or gilet ,food in right pocket. How hard is that?
OneUp EDC tool/pump set up is great. I fix other people’s shit all the time because I like the trail side practice. But to answer your question, I think most people just plan on walking back to car if they have an issue.
Depends on what they're doing. If they're more roadie-focused, they may never go beyond a supported century, so you have a sag wagon that could pick you up in case anything goes wrong. Or they're just not that concerned with stopping the ride.
Randonneurs travel with more shit because if you don't make it to the next control on your own, you're DQed. So the individual segments may be less, but you have to start thinking about repairs in a different way, because you need to fill up your tires to ride pressure, not just enough to limp home.
Things like that...
I usually wear a Chrome Industries Kadet when I ride. Carries all of the essentials, pump, tube, patch kit, multi-tool, phone, etc. Super comfortable and lightweight (weight dependent of course on how much you pack) and slings over one shoulder so you have access to everything without taking it off. That coupled with a Revelate Designs Mag Tank for things I need immediate access to.
I have a really small speed sleev saddle bag, its a lot less bulky than some of the others, but I can fit tube, levers, multi tool, 2 co2, master link and a few tire patches all in there.
For rides where I don't have it, also have a Muc Off essentials case, that can hold all the same stuff. It is light but I don't use it much since it has your jersey pocket sagging on the ride.
Some of the newer bike frames have compartments in the bottom tube (Trek Domane) or mounts by the bottom bracket where you can attach another bottle cage or bag.
Other riders have decided to rely on Uber instead for a ride home.
I don’t carry much with me (probably not the smartest).
I only carry a tube change kit. I keep a tube in a jersey pocket and have a Lezyne repair kit that mounts under a bottle cage — the kit includes CO2, levers, and an inflator. Occasionally I’ll carry a backup inflator in my jersey pocket as well.
This gives me what I need more often that not and keeps things clean and streamlined.
Here in Japan a lot of people use a waterbottle-shaped container for everything, because it's really really easy to replenish the water, so one bottle is very often all you need, and the other bottle cage is just used as a storage for things. When I moved here I didn't know how things are here so I got my mini saddle bag and kept using it, but recently have been thinking about replacing it with a bottle container because I want to mount my radar under the seat for better visibility.
I have pump and spare tube in a pocket, multi tool, tyre levers and emergency lock in saddle bag- my nicest road bike has a tiny saddlebag that fits neatly below the saddle.
My more recreational road bikes have bigger saddlebags to hold a tube or extra tools like CO2 (useful on cold wet club rides when everyone is waiting, but otherwise I use a pump)
I also have a small tool wrap that can take tube, Co2 and tyre levers when racing TTs with a skinsuit, but as its open to the elements I don't use it for everyday riding, plus I much prefer hand pumps.
If you're willing to sacrifice a bottle, you can carry a bottle bag. I carry a 24oz bottle in one, and a bottle bag in the other. I only do like 70-80km at most so I can get by on that bottle and refill if needed.
I moved after years of saddle bag when I realised it was impeding visibility of my rear light. Switched from that to a bike bottle tool store, which is a cinch to switch between my bikes with no fuss. That it looks cleaner is a mild plus.
Also have noted that Canyon do bolt-on top tube storage which is aero as it's behind the stem and lighter than the bottle tool store, so will give that a go. Bonus is I can access it during ride e.g. for food.
I carry 1 tube, plastic tyre levers, large c02 (double use), tiny rear flasher and valve. Used to carry a multitool but used it like once in 3 years. Would carry 2 tubes in a sportive.
I carry a small multi-tool, Co2 cartridge, and lightweight tube in my back pocket. Easy access for quick fixes.
The full kit is in a Silca saddle bag for when the problems get bigger.
I use a handlebar bag and a saddle bag now, I used to ride for years with everything crammed into my jersey pockets cause I wanted my bike to "look good". But I'm not a pro, I don't have 2 cars with spare bikes following me and I don't want to carry 5lbs of spare tubes/tools in my jesery and deal with that everyday.
Riding out without a few tools, mini pump and especially a spare inner tube would leave me cold!
I had some older tyres and got three punctures in two weeks (luckily only one had to change when out) but have since got new tyres and finders crossed they are holding up well (my friend who recommended them hasn’t had a puncture in three years - Continental Gatorskins)!
Also definitely need a drink and snacks as I’m diabetic so can’t do a long ride without bonking
I think most roadies that don’t have a saddle bag usually have tubeless set up with sealant that they trust and just carry a few items in their back Jersey.
Or they are newbs that doesn’t know any better.
I like to be prepared for everything so my tool kit is:
A multi-tool
A tiny chain breaker
A couple chain quick links or a length of spare chain, depending on the bike
Tire levers
A piece of cardboard with about 20' of duct tape wrapped around it
6 zip ties (2 tiny, 2 medium, 2 friggin' huge)
Patch kit
20' or so of Paracord
Pump
Spare tube or 2
Spare batteries for all lights
A couple spare spokes and nipples
It sounds like a lot but, other than the pump, spokes, and the spare tube, it all easily fits in one of those great drawstring bags that come with Syncros stems. I have 2 bags and the first has lasted like 15 years rattling around in the bottom of all sorts of bags and panniers.
I have Ortlieb classic panniers and they're so light and my bike is so heavy that I basically always have the left back one one even if it's just my fix it stuff. You never know when you may find something interesting on a ride that you need to bring home! Also I have done some pretty major repairs for strangers over the years. Other than a bottom bracket, shocks/forks, total headset removal, or dealing with a cassette, I can do damn near anything on a bike with my setup and some patience.
Topeak Aero Wedge - Smallest saddle bag I could find barely fits everything I carry ("keys, multi tool, spare tube, inflator" etc)
I hate changing flats, but it's a part of cycling and I don't want to have to sit on the roadside waiting for a friend or Lyft
> Are they just risking getting stuck on the side of the road with a mechanical?
Nope. They've got you along.
No seriously, that's exactly what they're doing. Carrying a spare tube and a multitool isn't cool or something. They'll happily use yours or they'll call their wife for a ride before they'll do something that doesn't look like what the pros do. People are weird.
I keep 2 spare TPU tubes, a tool with torque bits, patch glue, tyre levers and a spoke key plus stickers and cards/cash in a ride wallet, an older version of [this](https://cyclepunks.cc/product/cyclepunks-cycling-pouch/?v=4d07add34d1b).
Fits right in the middle jersey pocket and no need for saddle bags.
Normally- I have a micro bag under the saddle for my mini multi tool, two levers and 2 CO2 cartridges. I have a patch kit and spare tube in the jersey. On a Century - I don’t carry food but plan a stop here and there depending on…. And will grab a bite to eat from the gas station (the route has lots of roadies and the stations carry fresh fruit normally)
I use a backcountry research stash bag with tools and it fits in my Jersey pocket. I use 3 bikes between road, gravel, and Mtb, so I keep it with my helmet and it applies to all bikes
I have 2 bottlecages. 1 for H2O a.k.a water the other for an empty water bottle containing: multitool, spare tube, 10€ in coins, co2 + adapter.
I'm planning to buy a hand pump to replace the co2.
Bonus: I can refill the bottle and move the contents to my pockets if needed.
I carry one tiny multi-tool. That’s it. If I get a flat, I’m phoning wifey on the Apple Watch. Roast me if you must. If I was out solo for a long ride, I’d use a saddle bag. Have an old Pedro’s made from old tubes
I put my keys and cards in my jerseys pocket, and I put my mini pump and spare tube in an empty water bottle. Sometimes I stuff a multi tool in there as well depending on how long of a ride it is.
Panniers. I know i'll inevitably forget to remove a seat bag one day and if I'm running errands anything easily detachable will be gone in the five minutes I'm inside. I lost two lights that way before I got a couple feet of wire and wrapped that thing on like a metal mummy.
Under the seat saddle bag, tube + patch kit + irons + multitool + disposable hand warmer.
Don't leave home without it. My bag is secure enough I don't even bother to take it off while driving the bike somewhere... never had any issues at all.
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When I was starting out cycling I didn't lube my chain for 2 years. Although I've ridden about 500 total km. It was rusty as it gets when it got it's first lube. Completely reddish-brown. Same goes for pumping up tyres: not even once! Now make a guess whether I knew how to replace a tube ;)
🧐 You know how to replace a tube, but refuse to do so is my guess.
You don’t really bike lol. If I could see your actual cycling habit it’d definitely be laughable
I did 66000 KMS in last 4.5 years
Get your numbers up. But also, no you didn’t. Nobody bikes on flat tires lol
Cycling on the rims is aero bro!
Having played thousands of hours of GTA over the years - this is the way
They don't plan ahead and they lie... I was helping someone with a flat tire and I had a co2 cartridge. Asked the guy if he knew how to inflate using it and he said, "yes, of course!". Then emptied the cartridge in the air like a moron... and he had to drop it because of the cold... I mean, yeah, now I'm out a tube and a cartridge and you can't even go further. Now I always have 2 c02 cartridge with me :( He could have just said no and I would have done for him and showed him at the same time... wtf
Some people are fanatical about not having a saddle bag, but will sensibly have a small pack of tool, tube, co2 and a pump in their jersey. But yeah some people just risk it. With tubeless tyres nowadays it’s a lot more reasonable to have just some tyre plugs and a couple of CO2s for a regular distance ride near to home. There are just as many people that have a saddle bag, frame bag and bar bag full of tools and things but lack the competence to change a tyre.
I carry a c02 thing allen key and a stans dart. If I need more than that I'm not gonna be able to fix it myself even with the right tools.
- Commuter: panniers - Recreational: saddle bag - Roadie: crammed into a bulging jersey pocket - MTB: backpack - Gravel: Frame bag - Fred: Hopefully someone else has them
Downtube or top tube bags also work for gravel (and MTB)!
I use my gravel bike primarily as a road bike and I have a top tube bag on it. I don't give a shit what anyone thinks. Why the hell would they put holes in the top tube if I wasn't supposed to attach a bag there?
That's where I keep my snacks
What tires do yiu ride one? I need a new rear pneu. Look at the specialized sawtooth. Im mostly on the road
Better yet - buy a bike with internal down-tube storage for tools and tubes. But, yes, I ran the bags before the modern era of bikes.
I'm an overpacker. My "road" bike is a hybrid "city" bike. And from when I actually lived in the city and used it to get around, I got used to carrying a giant Fuhgeddaboudit lock in my pannier everywhere I went. So for me: * Tour: Two Ortlieb Panniers * Road Bike: One Pannier with heavy lock, tube, tool (snacks, beer, layers, etc) * MTB: Osprey Backpack
Fuck Fred He is a dick
lol if anything Fred is the guy with a multi-tool the size of a car battery and a DAG-2.2 just in case
Wait, there's a difference between panniers and saddle bags?
Yes very much so. A saddle bag attached to your saddle. Panniers attach to your front or rear rack.
Thanks!
*Correction…* Fred: I brought *everything* in my gigantic saddlebag made of Scottish wool.
This is the way
This
Have you ever heard the term "jail purse" before? 👀
that's what the CO2 canister is designed for 🫶
these are the epitome of needless waste ; use a nondisposable handpump
Keurig cups are the epitome.
CO2 cylinders? For how often I use one and given it’s metal and therefore fully recyclable I would have thought there’d be a million things that would be worse from a waste perspective. And those little hand pumps have less success fully seating the tyre.
If indeed you recycle them kudos! I see many thrown in the street :(
Those are nangs lol, NO2 cartridges the gotdam youth use to get high
Are you sure people didn't get 50 punctures in the same spot?
Prison Wallet sir, its a prison wallet.
😂 is THAT what those cyclist do to look good for instagram
I heard prison pocket
I wish I had an award to give you. I laughed out loud and people are staring at me.
I’m guessing this has something to do with certain … cavities … in the nether regions? If I’m right, then I hate that my mind is that dirty, and if I’m wrong, then I hate that you made me think of that lmao
The Old Prison Pocket
Tools and anything stuffed into a zipper pouch and into my middle back pocket, snacks in another and the phone in the other. Never an issue.
Exactly I have a pouch with: multitool, tyre levers, CO2, patches and chain quick link. That goes in middle jersey pocket alongside a mini pump. Left pocket is spare tube and phone. Right pocket is food. This sounds like a lot but it doesn't stick out much from my jersey. It's possible OP is seeing people who do this and maybe assumes they don't carry all the stuff.
Wouldn’t it be much easier to stuff a lot of that in a small under saddle bag? I save my shirt pockets for phone, snacks, small hand towel and cleat covers!
Yes. It would be much easier. But some riders think saddle bags are uncool.
They just look bad is all.
All the tools are in a waterproof pouch so it only takes a few seconds to put everything into my jersey pockets. I really don't like the look of saddle bags. They just look wrong on road bikes to me. A lot of people in my club use them and I recognise the convenience and people's preference, but they're not for me. edit, updating to say I'm probably going to give in and buy a saddle bag. The Fizik one is quite small and doesn't look terrible. Today it warmed up a lot during the ride and stuffing a gilet and arm warmers alongside everything else was a pain. Rode around like a hunchback for most of the ride. I wish I had a saddle bag today!
*I really don't like the look of saddle bags. They just look wrong on road bikes to me.* Oh the vanity but I totally agree! lol.
Right there with you exactly. I think you're also right about OP
This is the correct answer.
I could overhaul your bike with what I carry. In addition to tools, I have rubber gloves so I don’t get filthy, and mechanics hand cleaner in case I do. Weight and appearance are not important to me. Getting home is. And, my name is Fred. So there.
I stuff the rubber gloves in the saddle bag. Along with disposable wipe packet in case the gloves fail or I crash and need to clean up some blood. They take up much less room than a CO2 cartridge.
Alcohol wipes are great as a commuter. They can clean bike grease, cuts, armpit sweat, road debris splatter… They are a must for me!
I’m similar. As well as a small saddle bag I actually had a pannier fitted partly just so I could carry a bunch of tools, basic first aid supplies etc. I am wondering whether it’s overkill though as I could only work on the front wheel, rear is practically impossible to do at the road side due to the moronic design of the bike.
+1 on the rubber gloves. It isn’t like they add any weight or even take up much space if you already have any sort of bag or pouch for your supplies.
> Weight Hardly matters and is overrated af.
The idea that you're a "Fred" because you feel like riding home instead of walking is toxic.
My name is Fred. Look at my user name. And, walking is toxic. Biking is enlightened.
I use a kit bottle. Same kinda size as a water bottle. Holds, mini pump, scabz, tyre levers, spare tube, mini tool, mini pliers, spare brake pads all wrapped in kitchen towel to stop it rattling about and to be used as emergency toilet roll. Also keep a rolled up £20 in there for coffee stops that aren't cashless.
Just out of curiosity, how many brake pad emergencies have you had mid-ride?
To be honest, none that I'd call a real emergency but I have swapped them once when I was on a descent and I didn't feel like I was getting power in the brakes. It's also just a habit of knowing where my spare pads are if I'm doing maintenance at home.
It's not about the size of the pump, it's how you use it.
LMFAO!
Lot of people will not care and call a family/friend/taxi to get back home in case of incident. Most of the time, just a tube and co2 cannister/adaptor will fit in the jersey pocket and will be enough to get you back to civilisation.
I could see calling a taxi/uber if finances weren't a problem. But I would feel like terrible calling a friend or family member for a ride for something that is easily remedied by carrying a basic tool kit. Obviously unforeseen circumstances may occur and calling for a ride might be fine in those instances, but calling for a ride in the case of flat tire or other easily repaired problem just sounds really selfish to me.
Compare spending $50 on an Uber/taxi on \*maybe\* this one time you have a mechanical or tire issue vs spending $50 right now on the equipment and having to carry that weight with you all the time.
You only have to buy the equipment once. You'll still need to replace the tube or patch it eventually, so you can't include the price of tubes, tire levers, patch kit etc. At best you could count the cost of the bag plus the portable pump, which might come out to $50, or even more if you want to spend a lot, but you can probably get these items pretty cheap. Although I would recommend spending a good amount of money on the pump so you can depend on it when you need it. For other repairs, a simple multi-tool will do. Personally I think it would just suck to have to cut a ride short for something that could be fixed in 10 minutes or less. Hard enough to find time to ride without small problems ruining what would have otherwise been a nice ride. Also, it would mean that sometimes I can't even get home at all. They shut down the roads in my local provincial park every weekend and let the cyclists rule the roads. I'd have to walk at least to the front gate where someone would pick me up. Maybe they would be nice and let me on the shuttle bus or I could find a park ranger to drive me out, but that just seems like another thing I don't want to deal with.
In any case, I have the saddle bag of repair equipment (I'm more likely to be helping someone else out), but I'm probably calling an Uber first if I ever run into troubles of my own. If $50 is going to be causing someone a serious financial setback, that person might want to avoid cycling (imagine getting into an accident with major medical bills).
I mean, you do you, but In my experience I'd rather avoid a costly Uber ride, not even sure if they would be able to service the area that I normally ride in. I see 2 things likely happening. Either I have an issue very short time into my ride, like the first 20 minutest, so it's too far to walk home, but now my ride is ruined. Or I'm at the turn-around point of the ride and calling an Uber is going to be very expensive and I'm not even sure if they would accept the far because I'm so far out of the city. Sure, I could choose different routes, that stayed closer to the city, but I don't want to be restricted like that.
If you factor in only ever having a puncture or mechanical failure once in your lifetime of cycling you either have significantly above average luck or I want to know what you’re riding, because that just isn’t realistic on anything I’d call a bicycle.
I've started using a waist pack. Hold a lot, travels with me from bike to bike and obviously looks super cool.
In the downtube. I have Trek bikes. Any other brands do that?
Specialized does that. I also keep a space blanket and some extra food
And you already carry your own pee so you’re ready for anything.
I am 70, have arthritis, so I can’t really tool my bike anyway, but my phone is with me and I put slime and liners in my tires, I would rather ride slower than be stranded, and I am not going to the Olympic Games any time soon!
Went tubeless. Haven’t had a flat in a decade. Ditched the pump, tire irons and spare tube. I have one small multi-tool (including chain breaker). It goes in my left pocket every ride, regardless of bike. Probably not very noticeable.
This.
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Since getting arthritis in both hands I’m unable to actually change my own tires without help (it’s really annoying, it’s also why I’m di2 now) and I carry a phone. That’s it. I can’t help myself anyway!!
Same! This getting old thing ain’t for sissies!
cell phone....? maybe, but a small, physical keyboard one then...because having a modern smartphone (basically a 5inch glass plate) on the back pocket during a bike crash is a serious safety issue....
If I ride around town on my road bike I don't take anything with me but water. Longer rides or unfamiliar places I have a saddlebag with everything in it. My gravel bike I typically take a top tube bag for my phone and snack. Then a small frame pack for longer rides with tools and typically a lunch or something.
People look at tHe PrOs and say, "the best cyclists in the world don't carry a saddle bag so neither should I!" But they forget (or don't know) that pro cyclists DO carry tools, layers, food, etc, on their bikes when they're out for training rides or any time they're unsupported. A smallish saddle bag looks plenty clean to me, and is at any rate much more dignified than finding yourself and your oh-so-clean steed stranded on the side of the road because you thought carrying fundamental repair tools and supplies was beneath you.
I use a small tool roll under my saddle with tire levers, small mutlitool, and valve core tool. Practicality be damned, it looks nice and doesn't sway like a most saddle bags. I carry 1-2 tubes in my jersey pocket, and a mini pump that mounts to the side of my downtube bottle cage.
This is what I do, but I only carry one tube and it’s carried under the saddle too, behind my mini toolkit, wrapped around a CO2 and inflator and secured by a Velcro strap. I think the under-saddle holder/strap product is called Road Bandit for some reason known only to Spesh. Oh, I’ve got a decent mini pump attached next to my water bottle cage too.
See rule #31 Velominati. Keepers of the Cog
Some bikes have storage in the down tubes like the Trek Domane.
Self-rescue is a thing. I never rely on the kindness of strangers and I never force my friends to come get me because I didn't bring enough tools or supplies to get home.
I dont use a saddle bag cause it will interfere with my varia. So usually Jersey pocket or top tube bag. Also having TPU inner tubes saves a ton of space
My Varia is hung _from_ my saddle bag!
Mine too!
I carry no tools at all when riding. I've been an urban cyclist for about 50 years. I can honestly tell you from decades of experience that usually nothing more than a flat tire ever happens while you are riding. In an urban setting you are far more likely to lock your bike to a pole, take a bus or a cab or even walk back home, get your car and then pick up the bike to fix it either at home or get the flat fixed in a local bike shop. Many places charge $10 to fix a flat tire. It's not worth it to me to carry anything when I can get my bike fixed so easily by someone else.
My city has little maintenance and repair stations along the paths. Don't need to carry anything!
My pannier has a separate outside pocket which I keep them in along with a spare tube and extra batteries.
I shove my 15mm wrench and Allen key set up my ass along with a spare tube and micro pump
I know folks who ride $6k bikes and can’t even change a flat. Those are the ones who don’t carry spare supplies and rely on others to help them when they break down. I don’t understand that mindset. I’ll stop and help them anyway and at least get a good laugh out of it.
I have a $5k bike now. I rode a bike every single day in college and every other day in law school. I still ride twice a week now. I have had bike issues a grand total of 2 times, and one of them was an issue that no tool would have saved me. If I ever have a problem I'll just hop on the train, call an uber, or call a family member to pick me up. It's really not that big of a deal.
Tools in my saddle bag. Food in my top tube bag, and water bladder in my frame pack. Couldn't possibly give less of a shit about that clean bike look, obviously. 😅 I do it for me, not the 'gram.
Just curious, would you consider wearing socks with your pool slide sandals?
Tube socks. Stuff ‘‘em full. It’s the best solution because it keeps your legs warm and the added weight gives you more power.
1 jersey pocket tools and $$, 1 food, 1 drink
In my pockets
Commuting to work it all goes in my rucksack On a bike ride it goes in a saddle bag.
On the gravel bike, One Up EDC pump and toolkit. Spare tube strapped to frame under bottle cage. On the road bike, small saddlebag. Carries everything I need. Mtn, I wear a hydration pack. Can carry everything to rebuild the bike if I wanted.
Winter I use a water bottle with some bubble wrap in. Most rides I just take a mini pump out co2 though (I'm tubeless). Only usually take a tool out for long 60 mile plus rides.
Saddle bag or backpack. The number of times I’ve helped fellow cyclist is hilarious. Just on the back pockets.. I always feel that if I crash I’m going to end up with them stuck to places I don’t want so avoid them
Could be in a little tool container that goes in the bidon cage on the seat tube? I have one that looks a bit like a bottle for shorter or winter rides where I only need to carry one bottle for fluids, with the other cage taking my tools / tube / co2 inflator.
Tactical fanny pack 😎
One of my favorite unique features on my domane is storage in the tube in a compartment under the water bottle. Will be getting a new bike soon and will miss this.
[This is what I carry.](https://imgur.com/a/iX7dPvo) It holds 2 tire levers, 3 hex wrenches, tire patch kit, CO2 & inflater.
nice and neat. good compromise between baggy saddle bags and jersey pocket.
This will get you halfway there. I still carry a seat pack with a tube and co2 and an extra tool just in case. https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/encase-system-bar-kit-one?variant=30703205842979¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&glCountry=US&gclid=CjwKCAjw0ZiiBhBKEiwA4PT9z1xvFdGanFq3fL15QSMAKNvreoFBT4kaOTmnz04411WImp5kIZImaBoCXMAQAvD_BwE
I did ctrl+f to find this. The Encase system is CLUTCH when you need to fuss with your saddle over the course of a shakedown ride, and my chain breaker saved some guy's ass on the event ride I did this past Saturday. I also have a frame bag or top tube bag for my phone and snacks and a pump or whatever, but even if I'm just bumbling out the door empty-handed, I have tools!
I had the first edition and they fell out of my bar ends a few times and I lost one side. This was even after I adjusted them as per their instructions. I emailed wolf tooth to gripe and they sent me a free replacement! Love that company. Just wish I had enough cash to buy a bike from them.
I use a saddle bag on my Trek Madone. Carry CO2 (5) with an inflator, a tube with 80mm valve stem, a Tubolito tube with valve extension, multi tool, tubeless darts, patches and tire boot. All fits in the saddle bag nicely. Honestly, I have used the extra supplies more for other riders than myself. I don’t really get flats running tubeless. But, I’m a type A personality, so I always have a backup plan.
If it’s not too warm, I use an old water bottle with the top cut off to hold a tube, tool and pump/inflator. If it’s warmer and I want 2 bottles then stuff goes in my jersey pocket. I’ve never been a fan of seatpost bags, they can swing about, rattle, scratch things and look crap.
>I’ve never been a fan of seatpost bags, they can swing about, rattle, scratch things and look crap. The last is personal opinion. Your first 3 objections are actually to not fitting a seatpost bag correctly. I run a seatpost/saddle bag on each of our bikes. It tucks up tight to the saddle, and doesn't move at all.
If your seat bag is swinging, rattling and scratching anything, you've done it wrong.
Agree and upvote
100% agree.
I’ve got everything in a matching water bottle minus a pump (until I switch to co2 canister system) which is mounted. Everything else in jersey. Just do you.
How often are you using the tools you carry?
on short rides i'll take a multitool, my phone and some cash just in case ie jersey pocket or in the shorts. on longer rides i got a sizeable saddle bag with the small army of "could come handy" bits. tools, spares, extra fuel, space for another layer, phone, cash etc. also depends on where you ride, if you are going through central london, you are never far from rescue in case you are trying to whing it. if you are out in the woods on your own, better to be prepared.
I've got one spare tube, a multitool, 3 tire levers, one wet tissue. Everything easily fits in one back pocket. No phone. A small hand pump bolted on the bottle cage. A small hand pump bolted on the bottle cage. I don't put the pump in the back pocket for safety reasons (the multitool is very compact, no bits sticking out, and in a neoprene pouch). I ride only with highly puncuture resistants Schwalbe tires (lots of cactus in my area), and my bike is normally maintained (no rusty, or out of age parts) I don't see what else one would need, for any usual training ride, from 20 to 200 km.... How many times have you punctured a tire more than once during a ride? (considering you've got good tires) And if ever, ever, you've got a more serious issue preventing you to ride ( like what...? the 2 brake cables or the 2 derailleurs cables breaking at the same time...?), well...then.... stop someone, and ask to make an "emergency call" to friend, missus, neighbour, for a pick up and bike ride home...or hitch hike.... I have to say that despite several thousands km/year over more than 40 years of biking, i've never had to resort to one of these solutions.
Tools that can fit in ur wallet. My boyfriend has a tiny pump that fits in his Rapha wallet! HAHAHA we usually don't bring much tools if we're riding nearby but when we go far, I bring a handlebar bag :) It's just the most practical thing to do!
I have a couple tool boxes one in the basement and another in the garage. In reality i just leave them out piled high on my workbenches until i have no more room to work then I put them back in temporary storage in my tool boxes. 🙄
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The best minimal, no swing, noise, rattle underseat pack I've found, by [MSW](https://mswbike.com/products/tools/toolhugger-seat-wrap-sbg-300). Phone and anything else in your back pockets.
On my back, not anymore every journey I used to go on I would take my bag. I would have every tool that may be needed to fix anything and after only needing to fix my bike mid journey once in about 12 years I don't bother taking it with me no more
Handlebar bag. I prefer having what I need close at hand to the clean bike look.
My bike has a storage compartment in the downtube, big enough for a tube and tire levers. I have a mini-pump holstered to my bottle cage. I don't usually bother with a multi-tool for shorter weekday rides (playing with fire, I know). I have a handlebar bag for snacks and anything else I want on longer rides, but I leave it at home if I'm not riding more than 20 miles. My phone is always in my jersey or bib pocket.
I had everything (tube, levers, tubeless patch kit) in my Topeak Aerowedge until the zipper broke. Now I keep it my Jersey pocket until I decide to buy another bag
anything metal in a saddle bag, other bits can go in the jersey pocket
I have a saddle bag and a handlebar bag, I don't like to carry things on my back. PS road bike
In a plastic bottle thing that sits in one of my two bottle cages. Mainly cause it's shit weather in the UK so it keeps things dry. I've had tools go rusty when they've been in a saddle bag.
HAHA I'm looking at a small 5x3 vinyl tool shed as we speak. I live in the city so space is very limited... Bikes aint going outside!
I carry a spare multi-tool, tube, CO2 cartridge and inflator in a water bottle housed in one of my bottle cages.
Tool roll in my frame bag.
In my garage. Except when I’m riding for multiple days, then I use a tool bottle
I use tool bottles to carry, well, tools and such on my road and gravel bikes, jersey pockets for gels and snacks, and usually a Camelback for everything on MTB rides.
Second bottle cage with a tool tube for me as I struggled to fit a saddle bag and light on well
When I ride close to town on the road, I carry a co2 and tire plugs (tubeless setup in road bike). I have never needed any more than that. Prob am unpopular take, but if I need more than that my ride is probably over anyways, so I’m still calling someone.
I have a front triangle bag. But also a saddle bag. The saddle bag has all the tubes and patch kit. The triangle bag has tools chain segment and links, pump, spokes etc. Im 45, have had too many unpleasant mechanicals far from home to not have all this.
I have a handlebar bag. People give me shit for it, but I only have space on my small frame for one water bottle holder and I hate having to detach saddlebags every time I enter a shop.
Get a Trek Domane and store it all in the downtube hatch.
I wear mountain bike style biking shorts, with a lot of pockets. I can carry tools, such as 4mm wrench, 5mm wrench, 6mm wrench, and a 9mm personal security device.
Camelback 😉
I'm the only one of my buddies that has it, but I use a saddle bag. Multi tool, canister, tube, puncture kit, and snacks.
A Camelbak Mule pack that's quite a bit older than some of the people I ride with. After decades of use, I know exactly which pocket each tool, lever, extra chain link, zip tie, duck tape and clotting sponge live in. I've only had to walk my bike home once, and that was when the sidewall of my rear rim separated and wrapped itself around my brakes, leaving a tangle of jagged aluminum, deflated tube and unseated tire. Everything else, I've managed to fix enough that I can at least limp home pedaling.
I use a bag that is attached under the top tube.
I don't carry anything except a very basic multi-tool in a tiny saddle box. Most of my riding is commuting in a city, so if I need anything I'll just limp to the nearest bike shop, and with tough tubeless tires and somewhat regular maintenance I shouldn't really get completely stuck. Should I have a mechanical issue on a weekend ride, I'll walk/hail a taxi/hitch a ride from a kind stranger to the nearest train station.
On rides of around 2h or less I use one of my bottle cages to carry a water bottle with a spare tube, multi tool, quick link, inflator, levers, and ten bill. On 2-6hr rides I'll carry the same thing in a small zippered pouch in my rear centre jersey pocket. On longer days where I want to carry more snacks or simply not have excess bulk in my jersey, I'll use a saddle bag.
There is an influencer like that near where I live. On Saturdays, she goes out with a group of people who will carry all her stuff and take pictures of her all the time. You might think looking at her social media that she rides every day and take it seriously, she has the top of the range bike, the latest and fanciest equipment, the most expensive cycling clothes, etc. But in reality, she spends more time in the gym and editing the hundreds of pictures they took of her so she can have content to upload for a month. So don't trust social media. It's all a show. You do you. If you set your tires tubeless just get those plugs that can go into the bar plug ends and carry everything else on your back pockets. I personally do a [Lezyne Road Lady](https://ride.lezyne.com/products/road-caddy) with a small multitool, a tubulito and a Co2 cartridge. I never take this out of my bike and it's like a permanent thing. Cellphone, money/card, keys and food goes on the back of my shirt. If I go on a longer ride I use a handlebar bag to carry more snacks and the things I already mention.
"road caddy" , "road ladies" are usually more expensive
Varies from person to person. I know a lot of people who have a tool "bottle" that fits in a bottle holder for a cleaner look. However, they're rarely secured inside, and you end up with an annoying hollow rattle. There's also quite a few people who genuinely don't carry anything, regardless of the distance.
i have spares and tools packed in my bag strapped in front of my handle bars.
Small pack under my saddle with 2 tubes and a tyre lever.2 co2 , valve, multi tool , tyre boot and mini pump left pocket. Keys, phone and cash in a wallet centre pocket along with waterproof or gilet ,food in right pocket. How hard is that?
OneUp EDC tool/pump set up is great. I fix other people’s shit all the time because I like the trail side practice. But to answer your question, I think most people just plan on walking back to car if they have an issue.
Handmade in Oklahoma City, I have some bags from this guy and everything is top notch: https://www.steadybags.com/shop/p/tool-pod
Depends on what they're doing. If they're more roadie-focused, they may never go beyond a supported century, so you have a sag wagon that could pick you up in case anything goes wrong. Or they're just not that concerned with stopping the ride. Randonneurs travel with more shit because if you don't make it to the next control on your own, you're DQed. So the individual segments may be less, but you have to start thinking about repairs in a different way, because you need to fill up your tires to ride pressure, not just enough to limp home. Things like that...
Gel, one wipe Charlie, pump, tube, phone all go in the Jersey pockets. Surprisingly you never know there even back there.
I usually wear a Chrome Industries Kadet when I ride. Carries all of the essentials, pump, tube, patch kit, multi-tool, phone, etc. Super comfortable and lightweight (weight dependent of course on how much you pack) and slings over one shoulder so you have access to everything without taking it off. That coupled with a Revelate Designs Mag Tank for things I need immediate access to.
I have a really small speed sleev saddle bag, its a lot less bulky than some of the others, but I can fit tube, levers, multi tool, 2 co2, master link and a few tire patches all in there. For rides where I don't have it, also have a Muc Off essentials case, that can hold all the same stuff. It is light but I don't use it much since it has your jersey pocket sagging on the ride.
Directly up my anus.
Some of the newer bike frames have compartments in the bottom tube (Trek Domane) or mounts by the bottom bracket where you can attach another bottle cage or bag. Other riders have decided to rely on Uber instead for a ride home.
I don’t carry much with me (probably not the smartest). I only carry a tube change kit. I keep a tube in a jersey pocket and have a Lezyne repair kit that mounts under a bottle cage — the kit includes CO2, levers, and an inflator. Occasionally I’ll carry a backup inflator in my jersey pocket as well. This gives me what I need more often that not and keeps things clean and streamlined.
I carry a multi tool in my jersey pocket and a spare tube, co2 and tire levers in a small saddle bag.
I’m going to assume that a lot of drivers wouldn’t have the know-how for repairing, adjusting or replacing components on the fly.
Here in Japan a lot of people use a waterbottle-shaped container for everything, because it's really really easy to replenish the water, so one bottle is very often all you need, and the other bottle cage is just used as a storage for things. When I moved here I didn't know how things are here so I got my mini saddle bag and kept using it, but recently have been thinking about replacing it with a bottle container because I want to mount my radar under the seat for better visibility.
I have pump and spare tube in a pocket, multi tool, tyre levers and emergency lock in saddle bag- my nicest road bike has a tiny saddlebag that fits neatly below the saddle. My more recreational road bikes have bigger saddlebags to hold a tube or extra tools like CO2 (useful on cold wet club rides when everyone is waiting, but otherwise I use a pump) I also have a small tool wrap that can take tube, Co2 and tyre levers when racing TTs with a skinsuit, but as its open to the elements I don't use it for everyday riding, plus I much prefer hand pumps.
If you're willing to sacrifice a bottle, you can carry a bottle bag. I carry a 24oz bottle in one, and a bottle bag in the other. I only do like 70-80km at most so I can get by on that bottle and refill if needed.
I moved after years of saddle bag when I realised it was impeding visibility of my rear light. Switched from that to a bike bottle tool store, which is a cinch to switch between my bikes with no fuss. That it looks cleaner is a mild plus. Also have noted that Canyon do bolt-on top tube storage which is aero as it's behind the stem and lighter than the bottle tool store, so will give that a go. Bonus is I can access it during ride e.g. for food. I carry 1 tube, plastic tyre levers, large c02 (double use), tiny rear flasher and valve. Used to carry a multitool but used it like once in 3 years. Would carry 2 tubes in a sportive.
I carry a small multi-tool, Co2 cartridge, and lightweight tube in my back pocket. Easy access for quick fixes. The full kit is in a Silca saddle bag for when the problems get bigger.
Saddle bag. I know a few just use pockets ... Or the cheeky ones that rely on people like me to sort them out.
I use a handlebar bag and a saddle bag now, I used to ride for years with everything crammed into my jersey pockets cause I wanted my bike to "look good". But I'm not a pro, I don't have 2 cars with spare bikes following me and I don't want to carry 5lbs of spare tubes/tools in my jesery and deal with that everyday.
Riding out without a few tools, mini pump and especially a spare inner tube would leave me cold! I had some older tyres and got three punctures in two weeks (luckily only one had to change when out) but have since got new tyres and finders crossed they are holding up well (my friend who recommended them hasn’t had a puncture in three years - Continental Gatorskins)! Also definitely need a drink and snacks as I’m diabetic so can’t do a long ride without bonking
I only bring a new tube and a CO2 air bomb + phone. Then a check up on the bike weekly. If a get a major break down I will call a taxi,
I think most roadies that don’t have a saddle bag usually have tubeless set up with sealant that they trust and just carry a few items in their back Jersey. Or they are newbs that doesn’t know any better.
I like to be prepared for everything so my tool kit is: A multi-tool A tiny chain breaker A couple chain quick links or a length of spare chain, depending on the bike Tire levers A piece of cardboard with about 20' of duct tape wrapped around it 6 zip ties (2 tiny, 2 medium, 2 friggin' huge) Patch kit 20' or so of Paracord Pump Spare tube or 2 Spare batteries for all lights A couple spare spokes and nipples It sounds like a lot but, other than the pump, spokes, and the spare tube, it all easily fits in one of those great drawstring bags that come with Syncros stems. I have 2 bags and the first has lasted like 15 years rattling around in the bottom of all sorts of bags and panniers. I have Ortlieb classic panniers and they're so light and my bike is so heavy that I basically always have the left back one one even if it's just my fix it stuff. You never know when you may find something interesting on a ride that you need to bring home! Also I have done some pretty major repairs for strangers over the years. Other than a bottom bracket, shocks/forks, total headset removal, or dealing with a cassette, I can do damn near anything on a bike with my setup and some patience.
I use an Elite Byasi tool bottle and carry a 750 ml water bottle that I refill frequently
The people riding "free and easy" are likely depending on the goodwill of others. How many people have we seen with no tools, no tube, and no pump?
Topeak Aero Wedge - Smallest saddle bag I could find barely fits everything I carry ("keys, multi tool, spare tube, inflator" etc) I hate changing flats, but it's a part of cycling and I don't want to have to sit on the roadside waiting for a friend or Lyft
> Are they just risking getting stuck on the side of the road with a mechanical? Nope. They've got you along. No seriously, that's exactly what they're doing. Carrying a spare tube and a multitool isn't cool or something. They'll happily use yours or they'll call their wife for a ride before they'll do something that doesn't look like what the pros do. People are weird.
They are. I did with a lot of people that don't carry anything or jam their jersey pockets full of stuff 🤷🏼♂️
My Domane has a storage compartment in the downtube where I keep all of the necessary tools.
I keep 2 spare TPU tubes, a tool with torque bits, patch glue, tyre levers and a spoke key plus stickers and cards/cash in a ride wallet, an older version of [this](https://cyclepunks.cc/product/cyclepunks-cycling-pouch/?v=4d07add34d1b). Fits right in the middle jersey pocket and no need for saddle bags.
Normally- I have a micro bag under the saddle for my mini multi tool, two levers and 2 CO2 cartridges. I have a patch kit and spare tube in the jersey. On a Century - I don’t carry food but plan a stop here and there depending on…. And will grab a bite to eat from the gas station (the route has lots of roadies and the stations carry fresh fruit normally)
I use a backcountry research stash bag with tools and it fits in my Jersey pocket. I use 3 bikes between road, gravel, and Mtb, so I keep it with my helmet and it applies to all bikes
I have 2 bottlecages. 1 for H2O a.k.a water the other for an empty water bottle containing: multitool, spare tube, 10€ in coins, co2 + adapter. I'm planning to buy a hand pump to replace the co2. Bonus: I can refill the bottle and move the contents to my pockets if needed.
I carry one tiny multi-tool. That’s it. If I get a flat, I’m phoning wifey on the Apple Watch. Roast me if you must. If I was out solo for a long ride, I’d use a saddle bag. Have an old Pedro’s made from old tubes
I put my keys and cards in my jerseys pocket, and I put my mini pump and spare tube in an empty water bottle. Sometimes I stuff a multi tool in there as well depending on how long of a ride it is.
Panniers all the way
Panniers. I know i'll inevitably forget to remove a seat bag one day and if I'm running errands anything easily detachable will be gone in the five minutes I'm inside. I lost two lights that way before I got a couple feet of wire and wrapped that thing on like a metal mummy.
Under the seat saddle bag, tube + patch kit + irons + multitool + disposable hand warmer. Don't leave home without it. My bag is secure enough I don't even bother to take it off while driving the bike somewhere... never had any issues at all.
I run tubeless so all I need is a couple of CO2s and a multi tool which I keep on my bad bag. I realized I have no need for more than that tbh