Everyone who has ever ridden a bicycle, knows that at some point mechanical issues are bound to happen. Disaster usually strikes at the moments you least expect it. I remember well, as a little kid cycling to school and walking back because of a puncture. Luckily my father was always there to help me out. But when you’re cycling in absolute remoteness there’s no-one to fix it for you but yourself.

A well-thought tool kit can be a true lifesaver. Figuring out what the necessary tools are can be a difficult task. So here’s a detailed overview of the tools that will help solve most of your issues on the fly during your around the world cycling trip or bikepacking adventure in the back country. 

The essentials in our toolkit

The heart of anyone’s tool kit should be a multi tool. A slipping seat post or loose bolts caused by bumpy trails can easily be fixed. I’m also carrying good quality Allen keys which are useable when working at an angle. Nifty when I need to tighten bolts that are hard to reach with the multi tool.

A spoke wrench is a tool that stays inside your tool kit most of the time, but it’s essential to true a wheel. With the Hollowtech II tool you can’t remove the bottom bracket bearings, but at least you’re allowed to clean them once a while. Like the spoke wrench it weighs close to nothing. The cassette locking tool won’t let you do the whole job; taking the cassette off. But as experienced in Tajikistan, there’s always a motor repair shop somewhere with a wrench and an iron pipe to wrap your chain around to do the rest. We can use the tool too for our centerlock disc rotors.

Most of the issues we’ve had, had something to do with the drivetrain. So the connector tool and chain breaker are extremely handy. We maintain our chains with a regular clean and always apply chain lube. Want to make sure you will get that screw or bolt undone if you need to? Anti seize lube is the answer.

Pumped up tires

A good quality pump is essential in every tool kit. Together with tire levers and patches they make the golden tire repair triangle. Personally I like the oversized tire levers because they make the job much easier. We carry the pre-glued self-adhesive tube patches for the inner tubes and the tire boots to repair a cut or worn tire sidewall. Two spare inner tubes complete the tire repair part of the tool kit.

You can count us lucky, because on the whole trip we’ve had exactly zero punctures.

What spare parts to carry

If you’re on a longer bicycle trip, it’s advisable to bring some spare parts. Every bicycle has its own unique parts and bolts, but in general you need the items mentioned in the table.

A snapping gear cable and a few mountain passes ahead of you can put you in a bit of a pickle. Spare cables can be stashed inside your handlebar. (Thanks for the tip Sam [http://adventuresbycycle.com]!)

Especially if you’re riding with disc brakes it’s wise to bring an extra set of brake pads. There are hundreds of different kinds on the market, so chances of you finding the exact ones you need in Uzbekistan are pretty slim.

Missing links are a must to fix a snapped chain. We’re also carrying extra spokes and nipples. Keep in mind that the spoke length of your front and rear wheel (drivetrain side and non-drivetrain side) can vary. Might be useful to label them, so you know which one is which. So far we haven’t had to use the spare spokes. Only a whole new rear wheel but that’s a different story. Bolts and nuts can be helpful to replace lost ones. 

Extra in the toolkit

It’s always a good idea to bring a few items like zip ties and tape to fix stuff that tools can’t. Zip ties are useful in many situations. Please buy quality zip ties. We bought cheap ones somewhere in Central Asia, but they kept on snapping.

Gorilla tape is probably the best tape out there for repairing holes in bikepacking bags or fixing tires if you don’t bring tire boots. Our bungee cords and straps are mostly used for strapping the bicycles on the roof of a bus or a taxi.

Additional note

I’m aware that our tool kit isn’t the lightest one, but it’s pretty bombproof. Besides, it gives me a comfortable feeling of being able to fix most mechanicals myself. Every situation and each bicycle is different, so you might need to add some items for your own tool kit. And my final two additions to be ready for anything on a longer journey; if you’re riding with clipless pedals, bring a spare cleat and bolt (super rare). And bring a derailleur hanger just in case.

If there’s anything you would add, change or remove from our tool kit, leave a comment. We’re always looking to improve!

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