General information > Tips and Guides > The guides > What tools for a bike ride?
Cycling is a demanding discipline that requires a good physical level and good preparation. If this discipline is demanding for your body, it is just as much for your bike, which undergoes repeated shocks and vibrations.
Here are some tips to not be helpless in any situation.
During a bike ride, two types of incidents are to be feared: punctures and mechanical incidents.
The puncture is the most common accident of the cyclist. To prepare for it, don't forget to slip in your backpack:
- a inner tube, paying attention to the type of valve compatible with your rim.
- tire changer (choose plastic for weight).
- A preparation kit (set of patches, glue and a scraper). This obviously applies to wheels equipped with inner tubes.
- a tire sealant can be very useful.
- a hand pump with the appropriate valve connection.
Certain mechanical problems can cause your ride to end abruptly. Others, like loosening the saddle, only require the turn of a key, and it would be a shame to give up on your ride just because you weren't prepared for it.
So remember to bring:
- A flat screwdriver and one cruciform (tom thumb type).
- A multi-tool, which solves a large number of small problems. It is the "Swiss army knife" of the cyclist.
There are kits containing all the tools mentioned, for example the pannier Lampa.
These basic tools are part of the accessories that the cyclist must have in his bicycle bag for each outing. They allow you to deal with any eventuality of breakdown, puncture and to carry out small emergency repairs.