Essential Bike Maintenance and Repair Skills
Bikes are tough and modern components mean you can take them through extreme conditions. However, the chances are your bike will need some routine maintenance on any multi-day adventure.
Mastering a few basic skills and taking an essential repair kit on any ride will help avoid significant mechanicals and get you to safety if something more serious does go wrong.
This article answers a few fundamental questions:
- what tools should be in a bike repair kit when bikepacking and cycle touring
- what are the essential bike maintenance and repair skills all cyclists should know
- what are the routine maintenance checks to carry out on my bike
What tools should be in a bike repair kit when bikepacking and cycle touring
For many the repair kit starts and ends with a phone and credit card. But knowing you can get yourself out of most situations without needing help means you can take on adventures into wilder and more remote areas.
The actual tools we take depends on the journey and we've developed a repair kit checklist that includes:
- Multitool incl chain tool
- Pliers/wire-cutters and hacksaw blad
- Puncture kit/instant patches
- Spare inner tubes
- Spare rear mech hangar
- Tyre levers
- Mini-tyre pump/CO2 inflator
- Shock pump
- Chain lube/oil
- Black Cable ties
- Latex/Work Gloves for greasy work
- Pliers/wire cutters/hacksaw blade
- Spare Cable end caps
- Cassette removal tool
- Spoke key
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What are the essential bike maintenance and repair skills for bikepacking and cycle touring that all cyclists should know
