A couple years ago, no tools ๐ . I was commuting between home and campus just a mile away, so if something went wrong I'd just lock the bike and come for it later.
Nowadays, just a few to do an inner tube & chain replacement, and some other small bits that might come in handy.
- 2 spanners (one adjustable)
- Backup lights & head torch
- Tyre levers & adhesive puncture patches
- Mini track-style pump
- Screwdriver for the chain enclosure
- Pliers for the rollerbrakes and internal hub gear cables
Picture
I've found the head torch to be surprisingly helpful... Had a puncture in the dark once, and without that I would have been there a while lol
I've gotten a surprising amount of mileage out of one of those folding bicycle multi-tool things. I don't remember what brand (or non-brand) mine is. I picked it out of the bargain bin at my local bike shop in like 1999. I owned it for at least a decade before I figured out the scales come off the sides and they act as tire levers. The thing is capable of acting as a driver for almost every fastener on my bike and is also a spoke wrench, chain breaker and reassembler, and headstock nut spanner wrench. Of course, I can tell you how many times I've ever had to adjust spokes, break a chain, or tighten a steering stem nut out in the field, and that is zero. But the thought is nice, I guess.
I used to carry a CO2 inflator but I don't anymore, because I determined that these are a pain in the ass. I have a small frame mount pump instead, again of unknown generic brand and origin.
A spare tube. Some zip ties. Some self adhesive tube patches which now that I think about it are probably expired. And I never leave the house without a small flashlight, Leatherman tool, and lighter.
Since my ride is also now an e-bicycle (complete with generic Chinese rear wheel hub conversion) I also determined that keeping a small adjustable wrench in my seat post bag is essential, because... The motor hub has a bolt on axle, not the quick release that my original axle had. Duh. The first flat I picked up on that thing found me busting the axle nut off with my Leatherman tool, which I got away with but was not ideal.
What are the zip ties for?