The Commuter's Tool Kit

One person's complete commuter kit

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The simple thing to remember is that the details of one's commute—its length, the season, road condition, and obstacles—and where you're headed (Can you afford to be late? What do you have to wear?) should help determine what is "essential" to pack along. So too should the type of bike you're riding. My preference for commuting is a mountain bike tricked out for the urban-jungle warfare it must face and the tank-trap streets it must navigate. Good rubber is therefore essential—assisted by Kevlar, a tire liner, puncture-resistant tube, Slime tube coating, or some combination thereof. Flats (or fear of them) are still the number-one commuting hassle. After cars, that is. Lord yes, way after cars.

And so there are commuters today who bulletproof their bikes to such a degree that their tool kits consist of derailleur and brake cables, a mini-tool, some glueless patches (Headland's mini-tool comes with these patches hidden inside it!), and a small bottle of lubricant. When I have asked them about a spare tube, in case of an unpatchable blowout, I've been queried in response: "When's the last time you blew a tube?" I guess it has been a while. Like years. These folks say they can patch a hole as fast as they can put in a spare tube, and that it doesn't leave the job to be done after work.

Personally, I'm more cautious. Even when around town I haul a replacement tube, a glue-type patch kit, a mini-tool, a small channel-locks (in case my headset loosens or something else big—like a pedestrian—needs adjusting), a convertible frame/floor air pump guaranteed to fill a tire until it's rock hard, a spare chain link, and a rack-mounting bolt. And enough change to call a friend if something more involved decides to break.

So, pack thoughtfully. Ride carefully. And play nice with the cars.