tools

Tools

There are lots of tools out there but which ones should you carry when out on your bike? If you are only going a short distance then you probably don’t need to carry anything, but if you want to start exploring further afield then it’s worth bringing a basic tool kit and learning to use it. You shouldn’t carry anything you don’t know how to use, otherwise it’s pointless!

Mechanic in workshop

Puncture Repair

If you know how to fix a puncture then you’ll need to carry a few things to fix that:

  • Pump

  • Patches

  • Spare inner tubes

  • Tyre leavers

  • Thin gloves or handwipes

  • Tweezers

If you want to learn how to fixe a puncture then it’s worth taking part in a puncture repair class. Velocity and other bike shops in Inverness run these types of sessions.

Tools

Pump

A mini pump is a necessity for fixing punctures at the roadside. Make sure you know how to attach the pump to your inner tube and have tried it out before the ride.

Patches

Adhesive patches are good for repairing small holes in inner tubes. Some patches are self adhesive and can be stuck straight to the inner tube whereas others require glue .

Inner Tubes

It’s much easier to just replace the punctured inner tube with a new one than trying to patch an old one by the roadside. Make sure you have the right size and valve length for your bike.

Multi-tool

This is a handy tool with multiple Allen keys, screw driver heads and more, in a compact, foldable tool. Useful for fixing many parts of your bike, such as brakes, pannier racks, handlebar and saddle position.

Tyre Levers

These are small plastic levers which can be used to remove the tyre from the rim of a wheel. Make sure you have non-metal ones which don’t damage the rim.

Swallows
Bike tyre