The story of how I saved money, quit my job, sold my possessions, and set off to endlessly travel by bike around the world. My Plan

My 3 Books
I write, self publish and sell books about touring

(see all 3 book)

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Places I have been
(How can I afford this?)

India and Neighbors
May 2010 to present

Alaska / Canada / USA
May 2008 to April 2010

New Zealand
Sept 2007 to May 2008

Australia
Sept 2006 to Sept 2007

SE Asia / China
Nov 2004 to Sept 2006

South America
June 2003 to June 2004

AZ, Mexico, and Central America
March 2002 to April 2003

How I started
The 5 years before I left

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Equipment Pages Index

Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advice About Advice
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers
(See more about Sponsorship)

START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Custom Touring Bicycles and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide
Bicycle Touring Frames 
The Steel Repair Myth.
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs

Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Kickstands
Sealed Cartridge Headsets
How to prevent flat tires
Bike Route Trails and Maps

Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter
First Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp

Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts

Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3
Bicycle touring lights

Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping

Bicycle Touring Tool Kit and Spare Parts List to Carry on a Bike Tour

Choosing Tool Kits  Common Roadside Repairs  Bicycle Tool List  What Do I Do?  more

Three levels of tools to carry on a bicycle tour:
#1 Day Rider
#2 Intermediate Bike Touring
#3 Advanced Bike Travel

Touring bicycles often require roadside repairs. The bike tools and spares in your panniers are very important components of your bike touring gear.  Your tool kit is unlike most of the other gear onboard; it's the part you dread having to use. The right tool or spare can save your bike tour but tools are a heavy load. The right tool can save the day, if you know how to use it. Otherwise, it's just added weight. Emergency repairs may require tool experience and ingenuity to make on-the-fly repairs. As a bike tourist, you want to be independent and keep your touring bicycle rolling no matter how bad your luck. But there's a balance between a useful tool kit and one that is too much extra weight.

Choosing Tool Kits

When building your tool and spare kit, consider where and how long your trip will be, along with your mechanical aptitude. In my experience, the longer the tour, the bigger the tool kit you'll need.

Travel in less-developed countries requires carrying more spare parts, as there will be less real bike shops. A two-year tour through Asia will require an extensive set of tools and spare parts. Developing countries do have bike shops, but rarely do they carry high end parts. Relying on bike shops saves lots of weight, but leaves much more to chance.

On the other hand, a loaded tour in a developed country (US/Canada/Europe) requires a smaller tool and spare kit. For example, a three-month trip across the USA requires minimal tools. Bike shops are abundant in America and, assuming you begin with a well-maintained set of wheels, three months is not really enough time  to expect major breakdowns.

For touring cyclists on extended trips through undeveloped parts of the world, riders should be prepared to deal with the occasional breakdown and major repairs. Of course, just having the right tool is not enough. I recommend taking the time to learn and practice bike repairs before the trip begins. It's much easier to learn to replace a broken spoke in a workshop than on the side of the road.

Tools for bicycle touring have to be lightweight enough to be carried in bike panniers or a seat bag, yet adequate to cover emergency roadside repairs and regular maintenance.

Common Roadside Repairs

On a short tour (under three weeks) you may not have any mechanical issues but after 3-6 months, problems should be expected. You need to be prepared with enough tools and spares to be self-contained and self-sufficient.

This list covers the most frequent repairs I've encountered on tour.

Bicycle Tool Lists

There are a lot of ways of categorizing tool kits but I like to boil it down to three different levels of riders/travelers. I expand each level with a whole page explanation in more detail. Here is a summary and list of tools. Everyone's tour and specific needs are different but I hope these lists give a reference to start with.

What Do I Do?

Because I live on tour, usually in Advanced bike touring situations, I have a pretty big set of tools and only feel comfortable if I can take my whole bike apart with what I'm carrying. At one time or another I've used all my tools. My  tool kit in my panniers expands and contracts depending on where I'm traveling. I tend to help other cycle tourist I meet and like to be prepared.

Truing a wheel with my spoke wrench on the Alaska/Yukon border.

More Information Here

How to Prevent Flat Tires

Saving money while traveling page

Free Camp while Bicycle Touring

Choosing Tool Kits  Common Roadside Repairs  Bicycle Tool List  What Do I Do?  more

Three levels of tools to carry on a bicycle tour:
#1 Day Rider
#2 Intermediate Bike Touring
#3 Advanced Bike Travel

Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bike Repair

Bicycle Touring
Tips & Advice 
(see all Equipment Pages)

Touring Bicycles
Panniers
Racks
Saddles
Tires
Lights
Fenders
Tools and Spares

Tents
Sleeping Bags
Camping Mattress
Camp Stove
Water Filter
Pots and Pans
First Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp

Much MORE Gear Here!

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