Ride Safe - the Bike Tools that Every Biker Should Take Along for the Ride

Every person who rides a bike on a routine basis has had a flat tire or had a chain break, or even the brakes go. Lucky for us bikers fixing a bike on the fly is relatively easy. It is in reality rather simple to do mundane maintenance on your own bike. Having the correct tools in good order for the specific chore may signify the difference between enjoying an all-day ride or being forced to pack up your bike and start heading back home when something on the bike starts malfunctioning. Therefore, what tools do you require to bring along for the bike ride? Most importantly, you had better have the tools to fix a flat fire. Next, you should invest in the tools required to repair your chain and brakes.

Your Basic Bike Survival Kit
The basic bike survival kit should include:

• Tire patch kit
• Tire Pump
• A Chain tool
• A couple of screwdrivers
• A spare tube that fits your bike. I never throw my tubes away when I dispose of an old bicycle.
• Take a couple of wrenches in various sizes. There is a bicycle 20 Function repair tool, that has many tools integrated on to it. If you are fixing your bike for the first time, then by all means purchase it. I use several of my wrenches, that I place in a knapsack when I go biking.
• Things to Check for Before You Hit the Road
  You will minimize equipment failure if you check out out the bicycle before you leave on your ride. I have caught so many leaking bike tires, brake linkage that was so frailed it was only a matter of time before it broke, and it wouldn't have been safe to take the bike out, etc. Just do a once over check on your bicycle before you head out, and check the folloing: Brakes: ascertaining whether your brake system is functioning well is really significant. Make a point to check over your pads frequently to prevent rim damage and to insure that your bicycle in reality stops when it is intended to. Adjusting the tension is also critical.
  Chain: Degrease the chain and re-lube it. Clean rear sprockets with a brush tool.
  Gears: check out the derailleur gear action and cables. Degrease chain and re-lube. Clean rear sprockets with a good stiff brush tool.
  Pedals: Make sure the axle spins freely. Check bottom bracket axles for looseness. Nothing is more jarring than having a pedal giving out on you when you are pedaling down a hill.
  Steering: make a point of checking the handlebar and making sure that the stem is tight. There is nothing worse turning the handle bars to make a bicycle turn and the only thing that turns is the handle bars, while the wheels are pointed straight ahead.
  Frame: check out for damage. Make sure the seat is adjusted appropriately for your height.
  Wheels: Make sure your spokes and nipples are tightened and that your wheels are trued. While making the wheels true can be difficult if you do not know how to do it, it at least tells you that you need some work done on your bike.
  Check up on the tire pressure. Make sure that it is not overinflated, there is nothing worse than having a tire blow while you are riding your bike.