YAMBT - What kind of accessories should I carry?

[MasterAndCommander]

Ok, I bought a GT from a bike store, after listening to the salesman drone on and on why I needed the $500 road bike instead...so I wasn't about to ask him what accessories I needed. I swear this was worse than buying a car at a dealership - I was almost gonna walk out and head to Target instead

Anyways - I already have the basics - bike helmet, water bottle, headlight/tail light - any recommendations for tools, repair kit, etc? I'm just commuting about 13 mi. to go play tennis. I'll already be carrying a couple of tennis racquets, water, shirts, etc, so I want to have the minimum extra baggage.

Thx!

 

[xospec1alk]

sorry to hijack...but...

im doing a bike tour this year, and usually when i ride i carry my messenger bag with me, to keep a spare tube, and patch kit, and extra bottles of water in...

im wondering...is that a bad idea? the messenger bag....not the stuff im carrying...

 

[MasterAndCommander]

bump...hoping for responses....

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk
sorry to hijack...but...

im doing a bike tour this year, and usually when i ride i carry my messenger bag with me, to keep a spare tube, and patch kit, and extra bottles of water in...

im wondering...is that a bad idea? the messenger bag....not the stuff im carrying...

How can that be comfortable? If you're doing a tour you may want to consider saddlebags depending on the distance.

The the OP, I say just take a Leatherman and compact pump.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Cool - Thx NB....anything for quick fixing a flat?

 

[JS80]

TomTom

 

[JulesMaximus]

Why are you carrying lights if you're riding during daylight hours (unless you're playing tennis in the dark)?

Get a bike specific multi-tool. Everything on your bike will be metric and the bike tools usually have 3 or 4 of the most common size allen wrenches along with screwdrivers and some even have a chain tool built in (I've actually used one on the road, yes, they do work). I would also carry a spare tube and a small pump or a CO2 cartridge. 13 miles isn't very far but you should always be prepared to change a flat when (not if) you get one.

All this will fit easily in all but the smallest of seatpost bags.

 

[Dirigible]

If you're just riding on roads, take a pump, tire levers, a patch kit and/or a spare tube. A cell phone will handle problems beyond a flat tire.

If you're actually going mountain biking, you should take more - how much more and what depends on the trails you're on and how far from help you'll be/how long it'll take you to hike out.

Ooooo, my first post.

edit: and beaten to the punch by JulesMaximus, dangit. The bike-specific multi tool is a good idea and the next step after stuff for flat fixing. I don't take one on my normal road rides, but won't mountain bike without it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Dirigible
If you're just riding on roads, take a pump, tire levers, a patch kit and/or a spare tube. A cell phone will handle problems beyond a flat tire.

If you're actually going mountain biking, you should take more - how much more and what depends on the trails you're on and how far from help you'll be/how long it'll take you to hike out.

Ooooo, my first post.

edit: and beaten to the punch by JulesMaximus, dangit. The bike-specific multi tool is a good idea and the next step after stuff for flat fixing. I don't take one on my normal road rides, but won't mountain bike without it.

I ride nothing but road and I've found times numerous when I've needed the multi-tool. If not for myself then for a riding buddy. Sometimes you just want to tweak something like adjust the handlbars or if a cleat loosens up. I had my rear derailleur cable slip last week on one of my road bikes and it wouldn't shift after that so I had to stop and tighten the bolt (I had it adjusted at my LBS because it wasn't shifting right and they must not have tightened it enough).

I think a multi-tool is definitely a necessity.

Edit-Good first post BTW. :thumbsup:

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Why are you carrying lights if you're riding during daylight hours (unless you're playing tennis in the dark)?

Get a bike specific multi-tool. Everything on your bike will be metric and the bike tools usually have 3 or 4 of the most common size allen wrenches along with screwdrivers and some even have a chain tool built in (I've actually used one on the road, yes, they do work). I would also carry a spare tube and a small pump or a CO2 cartridge. 13 miles isn't very far but you should always be prepared to change a flat when (not if) you get one.

All this will fit easily in all but the smallest of seatpost bags.

Most tennis courts are lighted now for evening play
The multi bike tool sounds like a good idea - didn't realize that it's all metric now. Got my last bike when I was 13 back when they were still made in the USA

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Why are you carrying lights if you're riding during daylight hours (unless you're playing tennis in the dark)?

Get a bike specific multi-tool. Everything on your bike will be metric and the bike tools usually have 3 or 4 of the most common size allen wrenches along with screwdrivers and some even have a chain tool built in (I've actually used one on the road, yes, they do work). I would also carry a spare tube and a small pump or a CO2 cartridge. 13 miles isn't very far but you should always be prepared to change a flat when (not if) you get one.

All this will fit easily in all but the smallest of seatpost bags.

Most tennis courts are lighted now for evening play
The multi bike tool sounds like a good idea - didn't realize that it's all metric now. Got my last bike when I was 13 back when they were still made in the USA

Well, all the components (at least on road bikes) are either Shimano or Campagnolo. Either way, they are all metric.

Lighted tennis courts...what will they think of next.