What to carry for a flat tube and small adjustments
A pump, a patch kit and a few matching hex keys make a sensible small kit for city routes.
Before assembling a kit, check the valve on your tube. Our mini pump works with Presta and Schrader valves; for a Dunlop valve, check whether you need an adapter. You'll find the recommended pressure range printed on the tyre's sidewall.
The patch kit is intended for smaller punctures in a standard butyl tube. It isn't a solution for a torn tyre, a damaged valve or a tubeless system. The levers are for carefully lifting the tyre bead off the rim.
After removing the tube, find the cause of the puncture and run your fingers along the inside of the tyre. If a thorn or a piece of glass is left in the tyre, it will puncture the repaired tube too.
A multi-tool is only useful if it includes the sizes your bike uses. Check the bolts on the seat, rack and accessories at home. Don't adjust brakes or the drivetrain on the road if you don't know the procedure.
- A mini pump for the right valve.
- Levers, patches and glue for a standard tube.
- A multi-tool with hex sizes that match your bike.
- Disposable gloves and a small cloth, if you have room.
Practise removing the wheel and changing a tube at home, before you need the procedure on the road. Bigger damage, a brake problem or a cracked part belong in a workshop.