Travel Bike Tools
 

As I'm rebuilding my travel bike, I note that my little tool bag that goes with it is full of kind of crappy, rusty junk. Time to rethink what I throw in the S&S case to go with the bike.

The goal is always the most convenient tools to get the bike up and running quickly. Many multitools are not very good for actually working on a bike. Fine in an emergency, but not ideal when used routinely.

Obviously the S&S coupler wrench is foundational, but what goes in your travel bike case that works well for you?

My habit has always been, instead of a separate travel tool kit, to simply take each tool that I use to disassemble the bike and throw it into the bag so I know I'll have it at the other end to reassemble the bike.

I don’t and haven’t used multi tools for a very long time. I bring only the tools needed and use shorty hex and torx l shaped wrenches. Wera is what I have because I like the pretty colors and soft cover each has. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This Wera bike multi tool kit may be overkill but I find it useful at home:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If the bike just needs to be put together after travel, I think youd just need the mini Wera L-key set, a mini torque wrench, and a pedal wrench? Maybe fill up a couple small travel shampoo bottles with grease of ur choice, and carbon paste?

If I think of travel tools, my mind goes directly to this knipex, but i dont think theres much use for it on modern bikes unless you need a traditional pedal wrench:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/KNIPEX-Plie...gMO4M5x1l4Zy6I

While overkill for a S&S case, I have a hanging toiletries bag stashed with everything I'd need to do most service on a bike, with a few spares like a roll of cable/housing, tape, chain lube, brake pads, quick links and small metal tins of grease.

During covid we would book out an air bnb for a month and it was helpful to do whatever I needed to do without finding a shop - especially if we were nowhere close to a good shop.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Galleries...MG_1160-X4.jpg

Here you go: Abbey Tools Team Issue Took Kit

You probably have most of the tools listed already....just get the Pelican case and Kaizen foam and fill out the tools you need.

;)

Honestly, I usually just travel with 5 "tools" - a Silca t-ratchet + ti-torque kit, a 14mm box wrench to recenter my SRAM brakes, a 6 or 8mm Allen key for pedals, a tape measure, and a Bontrager Travel Pump that they sadly discontinued.

I find the Silca t ratchet set lets you do just about anything on the bike outside of the pedals, and of course SRAM needs to be a bit difficult with the brakes.

Sometimes I pack an extra tire, and always a few tubes, but will typically try to service the bike before I go so that all the big stuff (chain/cables/cassette/rings) won't be an issue on a trip

in the case, on the bike?
 

Something like this in the bike case:

https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Durable...8QAvD_BwE&th=1

And this torque thing for initial setup:

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/pro...NANO-TORQBOX-X

Plus a quick link pliers.
Also need an 8 mm of some sort for pedals.

Something like this on the bike:

https://www.amazon.com/Crankbrothers...RoCdJIQAvD_BwE

Just be aware...full size pedal wrenches do not make it through TSA checkpoints. :(

...I guess they could be used for maliciously taking the pedals off an airplane while in flight...or maybe tightening the plug retention bolts...IDK...

pedals on finger tight plus a little...
 

then even an 8 in a multi tool should be fine :).

I carry what I know can be useful. The most useful is the chain link tool. But I also of course carry the S&S tool and 4,5,6 and 8mm allen wrenches for various components. My Serotta is my travel bike and doesn’t get used as such very often so I really have to think about it when it gets used. Maybe in April… This bike gets disassembled quite heavily but goes together quickly. I think I even throw in a 2mm wrench for brake centering on the DA calipers.

Rags, a pouch for the tools, make sure I have my strap for my pump. Little things that will potentially ruin a trip……

Travel bike tool?
 

I have a small (Lenzyne?) floor pump that is super handy.

Ha I also had a wrench confiscated! Did the TSA folks measure the length of your wrench? I was told mine was an inch too long, or something like that, rules are rules I guess...

I bought the Wolf Tooth tool wrap and filled it with lesser quality duplicates of most common tools I use at home along with some spare parts like brake pads, chain links, cables, cleats. Depending where I am headed some of these items get transferred to the on bike bag for the actual riding (multi day trips for ex) or I have less stress knowing I can fix minor issues in between rides at the hotel. It’s a nice bit of kit but I do have to be conscious about exceeding the weight limit when the roller case is fully packed.

Tools which are almost always inside:
Park Tool Allen key set
T25 and 27 keys
Set of metric open face wrenches
Preset torque key with 4mm (Typ stem and seatpost bolts)
Pedro’s tire levers
One of those bead jack things for tyte tires
Scissors
Couple of picks for digging dirt and grime out of the drivetrain
Microfiber towel
Big multi tool with chain tool
Small needle nose pliers
Small screwdrivers (think limit screw size)

I have this too. In addition to the ideas above, I carry these:

- two open ended wrenches for the cable splitters
- tape measure
- some foam pipe insulation
- bunch of zip ties