Bike Repair and Maintenance Essentials

Be prepared for anything by carrying the essentials on your ride, and make sure you're ready for any repairs or maintenance at home.

Things a Cyclist Needs

On the ride

MUST HAVE

• Bicycle

• Helmet

• Water

• Smile (not required, but inevitable!)

SHOULD HAVE

• Lights, front and rear (day or night for road, night for MTB)

• Spare tube

• Tire levers

• Pump/CO2

• Multi-Tool

• Chain breaker

• Master Link

• Basic first-aid kit

• Light rain jacket in case of inclement weather

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

• Derailleur hanger

• Gloves

• Patch kit

• Electrolyte mix

• Gels/chews/food

• Cash/ID/Phone/Etc.

• Lock (if you might be stopping)

GOOD TO HAVE

• Spare derailleur cable

• Spare brake cable

• Zip-ties

• Spare light (for night riding)

• Toilet paper

• Ziplock bag

In the Car

• Shock pump (MTB)

• Lock

• Complete first-aid kit

• Change of clothes (optional)

Home Mechanics

BASIC

• Floor tire pump

• Degreaser

• Chain lube

• Grease

• Metric allen wrench set

• Rag

MORE

• Mechanic book

• Brush set

• Apron

• Shop gloves

• Dykes

• Torx wrench set or torx multi-tool

• Torque wrench (for carbon)

• Spoke wrench

• Spare cables/cable ends/ferrules

• Cable cutters

• Screwdrivers

• Pedal wrench (if no hex in spindle)

ADVANCED

• Bike stand

• Various cone wrenches

• Brake bleed kit (for hydraulic)

• Seals for air fork/shock

• Wheel-true stand​

• Tubeless set-up kit

• Air compressor