What are some handy accessories to have for your bike?
I plan on commuting to get to school every morning. The bike is a street commuter bike.
What are some basic items I might need in a repair kit?
To help with performance?
Some items I have in my pack, which sits just underneath the seat are:
TUBE, a good quality one that fits your tire and rim
MULTI-TOOL, make sure it fits most of the nuts and bolts on the bike, some come with chain breakers built in
REPLACEMENT LINK: in the event your chain breaks, or a link gets tight
TIRE IRONS/LEVERS: to assist in the removal of the tire
CO2-PUMP: cylinders and adapter to fit your tube, carry this or a frame pump.
PATCH KIT: glueless-type-if you use glue-type, make sure the glue is fresh.
*I usually put a $5 or $10 bill in my pack somewhere, folded inside the patch kit, or some packs have little pockets. It can come in handy for food if anything, and paper money can be used as a ‘boot’ to cover a tire that might be damaged by a foreign object
Other accessories you could put on there are a lock, cyclo-computer,
Now that you have those items, it’s a good idea to learn some basic skills like removing and remounting a tire, patching a tube, and some other basics. You can find some good information in Park’s Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair or Zinn and the Art of Bicycle Maintenence (mtn or road edition).
Now get out and ride!
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