Soooo what am I bringing, and what sort situations can I anticipate to be able to ride out of?
First, what am I bringing.
Triflow - for everything but Chain - Clipins, derailluers, ...
Wax Lube - for Chain
Bio Degreaser - to help clean up moving parts after the inevitable rainy gritty days.
Rag - to help clean
Brush with chain cleaner tool
Parts (I will try to replenish as consumed)
1x Spare tire - in case of blowout
2x Bike tubes (only one shown)
1x trailer tube
2x quick patch kits (only 1 shown)
3x Tire boots ( for tire tears/larger holes)
2 sets of disc pads, with extra cotter pins
4x Power Links (only 2 shown)
1x Spare shifter cable
4x Spokes for the two different sizes on my bike
1x Replacement hanger
3x trailer Retention clip - lesson learned! (only 1 shown)
- Variety of tie wraps, including two big ones. the smaller black ones are rated @ 75 lbs
- couple feet of 2 sided 1.5" velcro
A few spare bolts (should try collecting a few more sizes)
2x ~ 2' of 1" Gorilla tape- Black on pump
A lot of the parts are very light, and there is no excuse to not bring along. The spare tubes and tires, are heavier, but no way around it, need to be able to keep moving and need to come.
Tools
- Spoke wrench
- Presta to Shrader adapter
- Long nose small vice grips
- Bike Multi-tool
- Leather-man Tool
- Spare tire iron
- MTB pump w/ basic gauge
Not pictured
- 2x 1.5" hose clamps
- Tenacious Tape
- Parachute cord
- Seam Grip seam sealer
This should get me though a fair set of common biking breakdowns and back on the road. I've worked on my bikes a decent amount over the years, and am familiar with many of the systems. Prevention is the first place to start. I have started regular inspection, and have supplies to keep the drive chain clean after the inevitable storm grit or gripper clay sections.
Tires - Brand new tires and tubes - I don't have a spare trailer tire, but do have tire boots. Worst case I can drop the trailer, mark the GPS coordinates, stuff what I need in the backpack and cycle out for supplies or help.
Brakes - I expect I will go through at least one or two sets of pads, will pick up new ones as I consume and can find them. I don't have brake oil, or spare hydraulic cables, but expect that would be a pretty major crash to damage, and the brakes would likely be the lesser of the concerns. Bent disc - would have to try to straighten enough to limp out and get it replaced.
Chain/Derailleur - Brand new chain at start of trip. Will use and replace power links as I need them. If derailleur hanger bends, or breaks, I have one, and a spare that can be mailed to me at the next town. If derailleur gets torn off or cranked off, the chain tool on the multi-tool w/ a Power Link can help me shorten the chain to a single speed to limp out. Will need to find a bike shop at that point.
Pedals- I've seen pedals bend, and clips break on trips. Will need to live with that until I can make it to a bike shop or a postal drop, or good Samaritan aid.
Loose or lost bolts. - Well, I have thread locked a number of bolts, especially on the trailer as I assembled it. It is recommended to check your bike regularly/daily for loose items, or other issues. I have a few spares, ( need more sizes) . If I do lose a bolt, this is where the tie wraps, velcro strap and hose clamps could be called into service. Macgyver on!
Odometer - Since this item is so critical in order to successfully navigate the route, I have a redundant bike computer. I also just replaced the battery on the existing unit as well. I have measured the tires , and am happy to say they both agree very closely. If one has issues, I will likely try to find a replacement at earliest opportunity.
Other major issues - Tacoed wheels, bent/cracked frames, broke handle bars or seat posts, horked trailer, .....
Well, one can not carry a whole bike shop with you. However, I probably will carry a handy and eyeopening little tome on mountain bike emergency repair, by Tim Toyoshima. Covers a number of major issues not anticipated in my repair list, and has some very creative ways to try to get the bike to some level of functionality so you don't have to walk out. Covers the classic wheel slam to un taco a wheel, using sticks to jam into seatpost/handle bars; leaves and needled to fill blown out tubes, Liberal use of rock and logs for applying Newtonian leverage and force to bent items......
If you mountain bike in the back country, it is worth your time to get a hold of this book and read through it a couple of times; it is an easy and quick read, and was certainly eyeopening for me and a number of the tribe.
If worse come to worse bike wise, there is always the InReach emergency communicator to call for help, or ask for help from some passing citizen.
