Hydration Pack. Am I carrying too much crap in it, or not enough ?

[rexhunta]

Just a quick question, Do I have too much stuff in my bag ? I do general trails at Pile Road etc.

It has the Usual 2 Litres of Water at the start, but I also carry :

2 x Muesli Bars ( HyperGlaucemic, need a pick me up).
1 x Normal Valved Tube ( My Avanti Runs this, plus if someone needs one)
1 x Fast Valved tube ( My Specialized runs this.)
1 x Mini Pump ( both valves )
1 x Allen Key Set ( foldable 1.5mm - 6mm)
1 x Pressure Gauge
2 x Plastic Tyre Levers ( very small and light)
1 x Tube Repair Kit ( in a little case, few extra patches in it.)
1 x Leatherman type device ( Knife, Pliers, Flathead + Philips Screwdriver, few other things.)

Now, do you think I'm over packing stuff ? Or do you think I've left something out I should ? I'd rather be ready for anything, then have to walk back.

Thanks
Pete.

[mike]

Stubby holder?

[Bradley]

Thats just about what I carry, I use an old shirt as a rag, I wrap all my tools in it which keeps em together and the rag does quite well as a bandage for when I stack it (all too often). My phone, wallet and keys also go in there. Only difference is I carry one tube (shraeder) and no patch kit.

Stubby holder?

And bottle opener.

[rexhunta]

Keys, wallet and phone go with me too yes. Didn't think of a rag, might chuck one in, I have enough pockets.

Leatherman device has a bottle opener in it, cept I drink Jacks so twist top.

[flyracing]

You could probably just take one one tube, the one with the Presta valve because that will fit both your bikes. If you've got a pressure gauge on your mini pump you could ditch your pressure gauge. Other than maybe adding a rotor bolt torx key and a small adjustable spanner sounds pretty good.

[rexhunta]

You could probably just take one one tube, the one with the Presta valve because that will fit both your bikes. If you've got a pressure gauge on your mini pump you could ditch your pressure gauge. Other than maybe adding a rotor bolt torx key and a small adjustable spanner sounds pretty good.

Pump doesn't have a gauge, and the gauge is only good for the normal valves anyway !

Presta valve tube is the screw one ? or the standard rubber valve ? i can't remember all these names !

[zoom]

I'd add a first aid kit of some kind.
Next I'd add a spare dérailleur hanger and chain breaker and two joining links.

For adventure riding I take maps and compass and GPS and spare set of batteries. Maybe a light but not always. (Last night I rode from Roelands up to the Welly Dam turn-off in total darkness, not a good idea!)

[flyracing]

You could probably just take one one tube, the one with the Presta valve because that will fit both your bikes. If you've got a pressure gauge on your mini pump you could ditch your pressure gauge. Other than maybe adding a rotor bolt torx key and a small adjustable spanner sounds pretty good.

Pump doesn't have a gauge, and the gauge is only good for the normal valves anyway !

Presta valve tube is the screw one ? or the standard rubber valve ? i can't remember all these names !

The skinnier one is presta, yeah maybe as zoom said also carry a light chain breaker and a sram powerlink.

[supachargd]

a couple of cable ties

[zoom]

Also don't carry things because you think someone else might need it. If they don't carry spares it's their problem. Doing things for people only encourages laziness. MTB riders need to be self sufficient, they're not always going to have people around when they need them.

[Bradley]

RAC for mountain bikes.

[rexhunta]

Ok, So drop the normal valved tube and gauge.

Add :
A small type of first aid kit.
My Chainbreaker.


I've got a SRAM Powerlink on my other bike, but i can't get the ******* thing open ! And I'll have to research on derailluer hangers as well.

Thanks !

[zoom]

I always carry a unopened tube of glue for puncture repairs. Once you open a tube of glue it doesn't take long to dry out, even though the top is on. Once it's opened, use it to repair the accumulated pile of tubes that need fixing and buy a brand new tube for your tool kit. Carry a few self adhesive ones too, they don't normally work very well but weigh nothing and might get you out of trouble if all else fails.

[rexhunta]

Yeah brand new tube of glue in there, and I can get the Rema Tip-Top bike kits through work ( tyre shop), and they sell the glue individually.

[skendo]

I always carry a unopened tube of glue for puncture repairs. Once you open a tube of glue it doesn't take long to dry out, even though the top is on. Once it's opened, use it to repair the accumulated pile of tubes that need fixing and buy a brand new tube for your tool kit. Carry a few self adhesive ones too, they don't normally work very well but weigh nothing and might get you out of trouble if all else fails.

I've used a park tool self adhesive patch to repair a punctured water bladder , one on the inside and one on the outside,and it lasted years.  Highly recommended peice of kit for your hydro pack.