This has lived in between my toolbox at home and my tool pouch in my messenger bag for a number of years. And since I’ll no longer need the 32mm that’s in the Park RW-1 this will be my 15mm.
4 5/8″ and not too heavy.
I bought this at Autozone and not sure about the country of origin.
This is an upgraded replacement because I had a bag stolen and it had my flat fix kit in it. I had an old mini pump I carried vs. always making room for my Road Morph. I took the Road Morph on my last bike tour but I’ll test this one out around the city for the next few months and see if it’s tour worthy.
They say it’s good for 160 psi. Sounds like a lot but I don’t need that much pressure anyway.
I do like the little dust cap thing has a tiny hole in it making it a mini dust blower also.
Weight: 55g/1.9oz
Made in Taiwan
This is the tool I used to make my front rack. Think I’m going to seek out one of these for myself so I can try to make a rear rack.
more: gear-calculator.com
Vital.
Made in USA
A screwdriver. The right size but small and light. Turns my derailleur limit screws, bell clamp, and a couple other things.
Made in USA
Sticker patches only work if you apply them the right way. Some people don’t like them but I’ve had good luck and this will be the fourth tour I’ve taken GP-2 as my only way to patch a tube. Of course I’ll bring spare tubes as well.
Made in USA
I was a messenger in New York City for a while. It’s true that Time is Money. Another messenger let me use his pump when my old one was acting up. He had a Topeak Road Morph and after that I realized some pumps are way better than others. I bought my own and have had it for about 4 years now.
Bought from local bike shop.
I think this is made in Taiwan.
I would never carry a 1″ socket on tour but I do carry a 15mm for my pedals and Paul brakes. I asked my friends at Brooklyn Machine Works to do some quick welding for me. Now I can turn my freewheel remover with that 15mm as well.
Previously: Park Tool Co FR-5
Cateye BM-300G Racing Mirror
This was my mirror for a while. When I set up for my first tour i was really still just a kid but i listened to older advice of having a mirror on my bike. Maybe a little dorkish but it was for my own use. I skipped the advice of mounting an orange safety flag.
I still carry the mirror, minus the bar end mounting bit, for shaving.
Made in Japan
I bought a 9 piece set but only need the 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm for my bike.
I have a Park Tool 3 way 4,5,6 and a little mini 3mm jammy that came with my shifters. The reason I’m bringing these is because the 3 way, or “Y” tool, won’t fit in everything, such as the Paul rear brake spring adjusting bolt. The rear rack is in the way. And the bottle cages, “Y” tools on bottle cage bolts is worse than a punch in the head.
Lesson is, check all the tools you bring fit on all the things you need them.
Cost: about $10 for the set
Made in USA
Here is a chain tool.
And here is a spare chain tool pin.
Both good things to have.
I remember the first time I needed to use a chain tool. It was on a single speed bike and I used something on a multi tool. It was not the best thing but it worked. I rode about 15 miles and the chain broke as I was riding up a small hill. I was standing on the pedals at the time, and I hit the street real fast and very hard. I remember that I broke my watch but didn’t hit my head. It wasn’t fun. After that I stopped messing with chain tools for a long time.
After moving to NY and making friends with a co-worker who was a mechanic, eventually I changed the chain on a bike of mine with his Park CT-7 shop tool. Having him lend me the right tool and give a few pointers made it easy to get it right and not feel like I might hit the ground in a few miles again.
Eventually I bought a CT-7 for myself and have used it many time without problems. But on a tour that tool would be too much. That’s where the CT-5 comes in. The mini is just as smooth at pushing a chain pit as the bigger one just in a smaller package.
I tested it when I installed the 10 speed chain on my touring bike. I’m sure it’ll be fine. But just in case I went to a local bike shop and bought a spare chain tool pin, and a spare 10 speed chain pin too. The kind you push in and break off the extra bit.
If I have any chain troubles these things should get me back on the road.
Made in USA
A spoke wrench. The specific one I need. I doubt I’ll need to use it very much.
Not having one on a long ride would be a mistake. Bringing one of those Park SW7 multi spoke wrenches that weigh three times more is a bad idea too.
Cost: a few bucks
Made in USA
Park FR-5 Cassette Lock Ring tool
I once did a supported 4000 mile ride from NY to LA on a brand new bike. That was nice. Beside a flat or two the only mechanical problem I had was the cassette lock ring backed off of the 10 speed cassette. I realized this when I shifted and the chain dropped down completely between two of the cogs. This was just a small problem because nothing was lost. I just took off the wheel, took the loose cogs off and cleaned them with a rag since I had the chance. Then I lined them up in place and spun the lock ring on. This tool was not in my kit at that time but I did have a flat head screwdriver. I used that to get the lock ring tight enough to get back on the road for a few miles. After reaching the SAG, I used this tool to tighten it back to spec.
Now I have one of my own.
I want to weld a 15mm nut to the back side so I don’t have to carry a one-inch socket to turn this thing.
Made in USA
Case calls this the Jr. Scout #244. It’s a simple spear blade, can opener, bottle opener, screwdriver and leather punch.
Length closed: 3 ⅜”
I used the leather punch once on my belt, thing works like a charm.
This knife is something that was left behind in a bar I worked at years ago. We held it for 30 days and no one claimed it so I kept it.
Cost: Free
Weight: 1.9oz (55g)
Made in USA
