There are those cyclists who travel light, and those who are prepared for anything that may come their way. Guess which I am.
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by Tamia Nelson | March 31, 2015

I always carry tools in my saddle pack, and I carry even more in my handlebar bag, along with a selection of spare parts. Here’s the complete rundown, beginning with the contents of my seat pack:

• Spare tire tube
• Self-adhesive patches
• Tire levers
• Hex wrenches (Allen keys)
• Spoke wrench
• Chain tool
• Multi-tool (Leatherman knock-off)
• Vinyl gloves
• Cotton rags

And here’s what’s in my ‘bar bag:

• Tire patch kit
• Spare brake and derailleur cables
• Combo Phillips & slotted screwdriver
• 8mm Allen key
• 8mm and 10mm combo open-ended wrench
• Cone wrenchs (13-15mm and 17-18mm)
• Combo wrench (31mm & 36mm headset spanner & 13-15mm cone/pedal wrench)
• Lifu mini crank extractor
• Bottom bracket tool
• Stein cassette remover
• Spare brake and derailleur cables
• Inner tube sections (mostly for padding)
• Vinyl gloves

And that’s not all. I bring other things as well:

• Frame pump
• Mini-pump (as a spare on long trips)
• Tire boot
• Spare spokes
• Cable and U-locks (trips to town, mostly)
• Removable headlight (does double duty as flashlight)
• Cyclometer
• Straps and bungee cords

• HALT! repellent spray (2-3 cans)
• Two to three full water bottles
• More water in a collapsable bladder (long trips)
• Water purification tablets (long trips)
• Water filter (long trips)
• First aid kit
• Foul-weather gear
• Bandanna(s)
• Reflective ankle straps
• Whistle

• Cell phone
• Maps and compass
• GPS
• Reading glasses
• Keys
• Wallet
• Lip balm and sunscreen
• Spare protective eyewear
• Notebook, sketchbook, pen, and pencils
• Butane lighter
• Food in snack and handlebar bags
• Rack trunk with camera and lenses (and sometimes a tripod)

Not exactly traveling light, eh? And I pay for each item in my kit afresh every time I climb a hill. I don’t set many records on the flats, either. But as a famous man once said, “There’s more to life than increasing its speed.” Freedom isn’t free. If I want to be able to pass gas pumps without stopping and to ride far off the beaten track without having to walk back, I can’t begrudge the weight of a few tools and a couple of water bottles. So I don’t. It’s a small price to pay for freedom, and freedom is what riding a bike is all about. ‘Nuff said? I think so.