Even as a Pre-Cambrian Velominatus, the rusty wires in my brain must have made the connection between my machine’s aesthetics and the lack of a saddle bag; I can’t remember a time when I rode with a European Posterior Man Satchel. But riding without a saddle bag means the tools go in the pocket, and that means great care must be take in their selection; it has taken the better part of 30 years for my toolkit to evolve to the point where it is today: a minimalist set of highly reliable tools, each carefully selected for its function, form, and weight.
In addition to the endless cycle of tools that have come in and out of the kit, their locations have changed over the years. I’ve spread them across all three pockets, careful to distribute the weight evenly. I’ve put the heaviest items in the center pocket and kept the lighter ones in the side pockets. I’ve put all the weight in the side pockets and kept the center pocket free for stuffing with other items. I’ve ridden with minipump, with CO2, with minipump and C02. I’ve strapped the pump to my seatpost (we can’t all be genius all the time). I’ve carried two multi-tools, I’ve carried loose allen keys. I’ve carried chain tools. I’ve carried multi-tools with integrated chain tools. Suffice to say, nearly every conceivable permutation has been tried.
Before I go on, I want to make a point very clear: here we are wandering deep into Velominatus territory. Every item has been selected for a function, but that function is presupposed by the notion that our bicycles are meticulously cared for and we do not expect to make major roadside repairs. Punctures, silencing a creak or rattle, making a minor shifting adjustment, straightening a handlebar, or tweaking a saddle are the types of repairs within the scope of what may be expected mid-ride. Broken chains, snapped cables, broken spokes, handlebars, or saddles are failures that are to be preempted before departure and if they happen during a ride, one is expected to limp home or find alternative means of transportation. If going on a longer ride with no bail-out, one is to adjust their kit accordingly to account for self-reliance.
I also realize that I’ve now jinxed myself for tomorrow’s Cogal. (But I said it ironically, so I think I’m safe.)
The following considerations factor into my kit selection (in no particular order):
Nirvana is a state we cannot hope to reach, though La Vie Velominatus may carry us to its outer boundaries. That is where I feel I am today when it comes to my tool kit, the contents of which are the Lezyne V5 Multitool, Lezyne Trigger Drive, Lezyne Smark Kit, two Lezyne Alloy Levers, two 12g Co2 cartridges, my phone, cash, ID, and inhaler (like most Pros, I’m asthmatic). I organize my kit into separate small plastic bags, but do not store the lot in a Rule #31 Sack, like many of my esteemed peers. Instead, I opt to keep things stored separately in my center jersey pocket, such that I am able to pull items such as my phone or multitool out of my pocket (while riding) without needing to remove everything else with it.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Toolkit /”/]
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Dammit you guys, now I'm all paranoid. I carry a tube or two, levers, CO2+chuck, patch kit, and some pieces of duct dape folded on itself to act as a boot if needed.
But I don't carry extra pins or a chain break tool. Guess I'm off to the LBS during lunch to see what I can find...
Woah, Frank...another tool upgrade? First it was the Shimano block, then the Rap6, now the V5. Hmm, I wonder if you felt you didn't need the Torx head OR if you liked the fact that the name is doubly more awesome than the 6.
What are the feelings on glueless patches? Something to limp home in an emergency & then pull off for a glued patch? Or, do the nice ones, like Lezyne actually stick? I have a nice little glueless kit but haven't used it. Have read lots of negative opinions on the glueless patches. And I've also read about using bits of old latex tubes as patches on other latex tubes. Hmm, wonder about that as well. Better than a patch?
Phones. Ha, it cracks me up how the funniest joke in the world all of five years ago was the Small Phone gag. Now everyone carries a brick. No thanks. I carry a teeny, tiny Nokia that is basic & awesome. No, I can't make a movie, overhaul my bank account or even take a photo with it. But, I can call the broom wagon piloted by the VMH:)
Oh, and I also carry my whole wallet on each ride. But, it's not a fat Costanza-esque thing, just a very slim Velcro wallet I've had since I was a teenager. It's awesome. A few id cards, a few credit cards, a bit of cash, probably 15mm thick. Never know when you'll want to check a book out from the library on the way home!
snoov - read about your chain break and didn't reply. I know everyone has an opinion on this, but a little trick I use is to carry a master link/power link/power lock that fits that chain (I use the same chains on my two main road bikes), taped to the inside of my tire lever. If I break a chain I'll just install the master link and limp home. Haven't had to do it, thankfully. Sorry to read about your mishap. This obviates the need for a chain tool or the insanity of trying to rejoin a chain roadside, with sweat or rain or snow in your eyes.
@ZachOlson
Did you do the Arrowhead 135? Cool race. I sent in a card for the Almanzo 100 and will enter the drawing for the Heck of the North. A MN gravel cogal would rule.
I like having a phone that can snap a picture not only for the awesome pictures of rides, but because I have used it to snap the picture of the license plate (complete with GPS coordinates) of some sack of shit that assulted me. Got his pic too, and called 911. No, nothing ever came of it. I was told they'd "make a note of it" if he got pulled over. I told them I suspect he was drunk, and road raging. Specifically said "I don;t know if he has a gun. He might." Because it was true.
I also had an interesting thought about other shitte I carry on the ride. My fucking bike is loaded with fucking radios. An iPhone with bluetooth and GPS. A Garmin with not only a GPS receiver, but ANT+ sport. A cadence/speed sensor. A HR monitor. (No power meters. Yet. But only because Garmin/ Mertigear fucked it up.) And yes, I admit the rule breakage with an occasional use of BT headphones. So much for the simplicity of the bike.
nice....
Now I have to go to my LBS, who carries the goods and pick up the contraband V5
thanks for that
I pretty much have mine honed down to that list also, although mine are Park levers.
@eightzero
Geez. It's a wonder planes don't fall out of the sky when you ride by.
@Marko, I didn't do the race, but I'm planning on it for next year. Not sure if I'll ski it or bike it, though. Depends on if I can afford a fat bike. Or I might just enter the bike division with my cross bike and run it the whole way. Some serious V.
I always carry a master link in my stuff after breaking a frame(!) this past summer which resulted in a broken chain, bent crank and chainring. If hadn't been for friend carrying masterlink woulda been a 10+ mile walk with some hilly terrain way out in bfe. weigh nothing, save everything and easy to use.
@Ron
I carry a 9 speed and a 10 speed powerlink in case I or someone else on the road requires one. My question is, without a chain breaker how would it be possible to fit one?
@frank
So, how do I fpgt the VVallpaper installed in my iPad?
Help!!!!!