Review: Emergency Repair Kit Primer

Hitting the road or trails without the proper tools to keep yourself going is a bad idea. A flat tire or loose bolt is a minor inconvenience when you’re prepared, but a major headache that can lead to an embarrassing call for a ride home if you’re not. Here’s a guide for what to pack in three riding scenarios. As a bonus tip, Alan Chow, the owner of Sport Swap in Toronto, always recommends riders use bright-coloured tire levers. “Black levers can be hard to see when you drop them in the grass,” he said. In addition to the lists below, every seat bag should also include a loonie or toonie for emergencies and some sort of identification, even if it’s just a business card with your name and address on it, in case of a worst-case-scenario crash.

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Road rides under three hours

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–         Small seat bag

–         Lightweight multi-tool

–         Co2 Cartridge and mini inflator

–         1-2 Road tubes

–         2 Tire levers

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Mountain bike rides

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–         Medium-sized seat bag

–         Multi-tool

–         Co2 inflator with large-volume cartridge

–         2 MTB tubes

–         2 Tire levers

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Long-distance rides

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–         Large seat bag

–         Multi-tool and chain breaker

–         Co2 cartridges and inflator

–         Frame pump

–         2 tubes

–         2 Tire levers

–         Spoke wrench

–         Extra food or energy gels

–         Extra money