How to Assemble an Emergency Bike Repair Kit

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How to Assemble an Emergency Bike Repair Kit

Skylar Woodward

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Step 1 of 13

Pick out a compact bag to put your stuff in. On the right is a small utility bag good for commuters. On the left is a saddle bag handy for sport riding (ie, no grubby hipsters around to steal it).

Step 2 of 13

Get a multi-tool. This is the most important piece as you can use it to tweak or fix most parts of the bike. At minimum, make sure you have 4 & 5mm hex tools and phillips & flat head screwdrivers.

Step 3 of 13

Put it in the bag.

Step 4 of 13

The rest of the kit serves to help you change a flat. Forget patch kits or "mini" tubes. Get a full size spare appropriate for your tires. No need to cut your ride short or change it again at home.

Step 5 of 13

Add the spare tube to your kit…

Step 6 of 13

Full-size tire levers are essential. You can change a tire with one but they're small so pack two — you'll be glad you did.

Step 7 of 13

A hand pump is bulky. Pack a CO2 inflator instead. It's small and good enough to cover you in an emergency. You can always carry a lightweight pump or extra cartridges for long treks.

Step 8 of 13

Pack in the inflator - make sure to leave the nozzle disconnected until you need to use it.

Step 9 of 13

You never know when you'll need a Hamilton to help you out of a pinch…

Step 10 of 13

…so keep one tucked away in your kit too.

Step 11 of 13

If your wheels are bolted on you'll need to carry a 15mm hex wrench. The one shown here, the Jethro Tule by Surly, is beefy yet compact.

Step 12 of 13

Get all the gear situated in your bag so it cinches up tight…

Step 13 of 13

…and keep it in your backpack so you have it when you need it!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Skylar Woodward

San Francisco

larw.com/

I like coffee, biking, making things & climbing things.

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18 Comments

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Sara Paul Raffel

San Francisco, Californi...

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2 Tire lever

1 CO2 cartridge & nozzle

1 Bike multi tool

1 Spare tire

10 Dollars

1 15mm hex wrench (for bolt-on wheels)

1 Small sturdy bag

One thing that has been invaluable to me is SLIME. It is great for patching holes without having to replace inner tube. Nice guide

Tutorial Doctor last month

A pair of disposable latex gloves comes in handy when you don't want to end up with dirty hands. They take up hardly any room or weight

Adam Kim last month

Great pack out!

Dustin Stalter last month

Nice job! I never leave home without this stuff. I especially like the comment about adding liquid soap for the tire.

Michael F last month

Nice piece of info

Harry Sikka last month

Thanks buddy!

Nic Evans last month

My kit is a bit more advanced. Add a safety pin, a few cable ties, some quick links, a couple of spare spokes (cable tied onto the chainstay). Oh, and a couple of coins for an emergency phone call.

Rory Thacker 3 months ago

Appreciate it - excellent ideas.

Mike Turvey last year

Nice....

Leonardo Barboza last year

Good one ! Something else I can recommend is a small plastic bottle filled with dish washing liquid. Squeezing some of the soap in between the rim and tyre before removing the tyre (and putting it back) will be alot easier as it is lubricated. Has worked for me on many occasions !

Pieter Booysen last year

Thanks, very practical!

Thoschi Dot last year

This is great!

Victor A last year

Thanks for a great guide! It is always good to be prepared.

Ken Penny last year

This is pretty useful. I am so glad that I have yet to use my own inflator. Heard it is common for people to mess it up the first time.

Can Duruk last year

Awesome guide!

Alex Kim last year

Sam, that's what the 10-spot is for. ;)

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

Awesome, just one thing missing.. A tasty brew

Sam Herrmann last year

An excellent list! Thanks!

Beth Garst last year

This one is for Zay...

Carol Glaze-Johnson last month

What do you have against hipsters?

Derek Stack 6 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 2.

Be first to comment on Step 3.

Be first to comment on Step 4.

That's a tube, not a tire. Wouldn't want to confuse anybody..

Kyle Ramirez last year

D'oh!

Can Duruk last year

One, as in 1 vs 2!

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

Maybe you meant "without one?".

Can Duruk last year

you're worried about bulk, but you chose to brig a whole tube instead of a patch kit?

Drew Quinton last month

I love these, I carry 4 just in case a fellow cyclist is in need while I'm going by!

Paul Curtis last year

Good point. CO2 leaks faster than normal air so it will only last a day or two. You'll have to refill them before your next ride. It's probably worth making a guide on using CO2 inflators.

Skylar Woodward (author) last year

CO2 is awesome but it's important to note to deflate your tire when you get home and replace with normal air.

Rahul Malik last year

Any bike shop should have some version of these. The model here is SRAMs smallest and is about $12 on Amazon. All models seem to fit both presta and shrader valves but it is worth double checking to make sure it works with your tubes!

Skylar Woodward (author) last year