Must-Have Bikepacking Tools: Insights from a Pro Mechanic

[@NRO416]

6 bolt brake rotors use the same threads as spd cleats. I always replace one bolt on each rotor with an spd bolt. It has saved rides.

[@nacnud2323]

Bottle mounts also use the same thread.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

​@@nacnud2323yup. Just watched a video where he used rotor bolts as bottle carrier bolts for their low profile & individual colors.

[@jonpoon3896]

I wrap gorilla tape around my pump. Also, even though I don’t know how to replace a spoke, I still carry it. If I can find a bike shop, at least I already have the correct length spokes

[@MrClimberdave]

Great video! Something to think about too is that tubolito tubes need their own tubolito patch kits.

[@RiseNShine681]

Thank you for this vid! Very informative! Congrats to Nic on the new shop.

[@cowymtber]

old toothbrush to clean the chain. Or, use your main toothbrush: clean your teeth, clean the chain :)

[@olsmxl6975]

Nice review - I also add a spare bottle cage bolt and spare bolts for my rack.

[@larakatharinaschilling9013]

Brillant video! Thank you very much! Learned a lot! I always carry the Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX. Sometimes I am too weak and the ratched saved me a lot of times :D

[@KarlOnSea]

Very good! I always keep 30-50cm of duck tape wrapped onto my pump.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

🦆

[@utubexess]

13:39. I go to oil my lock which I keep remembering I really need to do every time I lock the bike.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

Good idea. I'm gonna go do mine right now.

[@cowymtber]

Small needle nose plier. To pull out the pin holding the brake pad in place, so you can change them. Tough to do with just a screwdriver head from your multi-tool.

[@cowymtber]

IF using brakes with this type of mechanism. Otherwise, have a way to squeeze in the brake pistons without shop tools. Sometimes a tire lever will work.

[@nicvieri2627]

The leatherman works pretty well for that as well

[@cowymtber]

​@@nicvieri2627yes, but those things can be very heavy

[@josephhaddakin7095]

I carry a small needle nose vise grip. I found it to be better than a Leatherman.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Wow!!! Thought I carried a lot of stuff. Very well done. Take care, Al

[@Josh-Reid]

Glad you enjoyed it. I obviously don't carry all of this but just a guide on the tools you should think about before you set off on the bike and as Nic said this will change trip to trip.

[@stephendailey3108]

Mini Cassette Lock ring Remover for broken spokes on the drive side

[@josephhaddakin7095]

Yup. And the smallest adjustable wrench that fits it along with a cut down chain whip.

[@stephendailey3108]

That being said, I carried my cassette lock remover but forgot my spare spokes, all sorted now.

[@tedsmith2150]

Another great vid, thanks! I carry spare spokes but in case of broken spokes on the rear driveside I recommend a couple of Fiberfix spoke repair kits.

[@percival3830]

Glad to see you've made it out of the big city, Northumberland makes me feel connected.

[@markjthomson]

Trick with the TPU tubes... you have to have the appropriate size for the tire... so you can't put one designed for a maximum tire of 32mm into a 38mm tire, unlike the rubber inner tubes that will work in that manner.

[@danmitchell3758]

Pipe cleaners to floss dirt grime from cassette

[@Ignash]

I take small coffeeshop lock when I stop for shopping. It won't do much to stop actual theft, but at least he doesn't simply have to hop on the bike and ride away with all my gear. +Knog alarm so if someones actually try to do something, it will scream alarm that you may hear from the inside of the shop.

[@CycleXplorer]

Great video, some good tips in there that I may try. Especially that valve adaptor.

[@lydiagould3090]

Very useful tips here.Taking too many tools can add a heck of a lot of weight, particularly if it's something you can't fix anyway. My most annoying mechanical is a failed Cranks Bros pedal. Now I would never use Cranks again when Shimano SPDs are bombproof. So if anyone on here has Cranks, get rid of them, or give them to your competitor!

[@stephendailey3108]

Small tweezer for stubborn objects lodged in tyre

[@GeorginaWilcox]

The main concern I have with TPU tubes is that I've heard they have a short shelf life, i.e. you can't keep one in a spares kit for years and expect it to still be as good as new -- what do you think?

[@huntos83]

This is very useful, a lot of this stuff I already pack for long multi day / ultra events, but there are a few bits in there that I hadn’t considered but are a good idea 👍

[@buckcram5908]

Big fan of those swiss stop exotherm brake pads.

[@podgey65]

This is an excellent video.

[@peterharrington8709]

I use Dynaplugs too, but there's a potential issue if you use them and later end up having to put a tube in. Maybe worms are a safer bet after all?

[@nicvieri2627]

I’ve had this problem before. Just pull the heads out from the inside of the tyre. If you had a big cut, I’d suggest using a tyre boot to seal it while they tyre is off the wheel

[@TheRflynn]

Rear seat post light doesn’t work with a saddle bag. Ive lost a couple of lights trying to hang them off a saddle bag. Seat stay is ok, only ok.

[@lucamuller6729]

Shimano Di2 Coincell Battery for the hoods

[@KnottyLoss]

I love the axe clickbait, but what does Nic Vieri actually think about bringing an axe to a bikepacking trip?

[@jonpoon3896]

There are some trails with hike a bike sections where you need to cut overgrown branches. An axe or saw would be very useful

[@nicvieri2627]

If I had to do the same trip as Josh all the way from China, I’d definitely want the axe to come along 🤣

[@bluztime5271]

What is the model name of the smaller leatherman?

[@userbeverage]

Great tips!

[@ATDreamLand]

Is that the new Giant Defy SL u are riding on?

[@Josh-Reid]

Yeah it's the new Defy. Very nice bike, perfect for the style of riding I enjoy.

[@andmikus]

And how to remove sprockets, when change of spoke is needed? I'm not see the tool for that in the list.

[@chriscohlmeyer4735]

LOL, reusable temporary fiber repair spoke until you find a bike shop to repair and true with a regular spoke

[@njb7911]

serious question - what do you use pliers for?

[@GeorginaWilcox]

I've needed them to get the ring off the base of the valve, if I needed to take the valve out to put a tube in a tubeless tyre. But also for other random things that need to be tightened or loosened when you don't have exactly the right tool. So they're kind of a last resort.

[@spektrumB]

How can you re-seat a tubeless tire with a mini pump?

[@Josh-Reid]

I’ve never had to do it yet but would be one of the reasons to consider co2. Although you could always just stick a tube in if you’re having real issues.

[@nicvieri2627]

All depends on the tyre and tube combo. Mine seats okay with a mini pump, but I do it with the valve core removed. To let more air in. But yes, CO2 is a backup for this situation

[@JamesSocialCycling]

Any issues with using co2 on TPU tubes?

[@Josh-Reid]

Not used the pair together myself but can’t see there being an issue.

[@Bikepacking]

Cool mechanic

[@StephanWiesner]

interesting. thanks :-)

[@josephhaddakin7095]

Good list. 13:56 just ask your diabetic friend for some individual alcohol pads for your brake rotors.

[@m.t.keepmoving4137]

Nick is cool

[@DaGreatHandle]

Zip ties & rope

[@cyclingfreak56]

This guy hasn’t rejected one of the ridiculous items he’s picked up and explained for no good reason! I shut it down at spare rim tape! 👎

[@nicvieri2627]

I rejected all of them at the end saying I’d only carry about 5 of them.

[@nigelbradley613]

That's what you get if you don't wait until the end 😂😂😂