There are plenty of things that keep us from riding when we want to, but none are more frustrating than a broken bike. With these supplies you can avoid waiting around for parts; just fix, and ride! Plus, you’ll save $$ by repairing what you’ve got instead of rushing to buying new. Before every ride, I remember my ABCs: air, brakes, and chain. Air refers to your tire pressure, but also your suspension. A flat tire can easily end a ride before it begins, so many of the supplies we chose below are tire-related. There are brake and chain-related items you should consider stocking as well.
Shifter/dropper remote cable
$8.99
Shifter and dropper post cables can fray and corrode over time. There’s nothing worse than snapping a cable and not having a replacement at home! I always keep a few in my garage, just in case I need a replacement or I cut one too short the first time.
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Backup brake pads
A couple weeks ago I noticed my rear brake was fading, so I did a fresh bleed and the lever felt great. So I went for a ride and realized the pads were contaminated. Before the NEXT ride, I cleaned them, but I did rush job and it wasn’t good enough. Moral of the story: always have a spare set of pads (or two) to throw on while you sort out what’s wrong with your brakes. Spare pads are also good to have in your pack on long, backcountry rides.
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Tire plug refills
$7.99
Most tire plug tools come with 5-10 plugs, and it’s a good idea to pick up a pack of extra plugs for when they run out. I tested several tire plugs and tools in August, and rubber plugs like these are still holding air!
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Hex bolts
$20.90
I picked up this bolt kit and have used it for all sorts of bike-related repairs. The bolts may not be an exact fit for every repair, but it’s convenient to have options if you lose a caliper or bottle mount bolt, for example.
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Spare pedal cleats
$10.95 | $9.99 sale
There’s nothing worse than losing a cleat bolt (or a cleat!) and not being able to go for a ride. Crankbrothers cleats are here too.
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Quick link for chain
$13.49
I’ve had good luck with these generic quick-connect chain links from Amazon, and this 10-pack is a fraction of the price of name-brand options. Note: these won’t work for a T-type chain.
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Replacement valve cores
$8.99 | $7.99 sale
Over time, tubeless tire valves can get gunked up with dried sealant, and won’t close properly. They can also get sheared off if you’re not careful. Often times you don’t need to replace the whole valve, just the core! I ordered this pack years ago and I’m only halfway through it.
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Headset spacers
$8.99
OK, so you probably don’t need spacers often. But if you’re swapping forks between bikes, or installing a new one, it’s annoying to get stuck without enough spacers. For that reason, I always keep these on hand.
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Tire repair kit
$13.99
Sourcing exactly the right replacement tire you want can take time, and if you can’t afford to buy a spare tire or two, grab a repair kit like this. Tire patches work better than plugs for large holes or tears, and can have you back on the trail the next day instead of the next week. Read more.
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Tubeless tire tape
$20.93
Have you ever pulled a tubeless tire off the rim, only to find that some of the rim tape came off with it? I have. Keep a roll of rim tape on hand and you’ll be fine. That’s not to say it’ll be a quick fix, but at least you won’t have to wait for tape.
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Tubeless valves
$50.00 | $42.50 sale
Sometimes a tire valve will fail entirely, and you’ll need a replacement. In a pinch you can cut the valve off an old tube, but you’ll feel a lot better about going for a ride with a proper valve in place. I always keep at least one spare set of valves in my garage.
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Tire sealant
$24.98
It goes without saying that you should always have tire sealant on hand. But if you need a reminder to stock up, this is it.
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Cable housing
$28.99
I like to buy a long roll of cable housing so I always have plenty in case I need to install a new part or make a repair.
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Spare tubes
Sometimes tubeless tire problems can’t be worked out in time to ride, so having spare tubes in your kit is a smart idea. It’s also cheaper to buy more than one at a time.
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