Generally, you need to be self-sufficient. Usually, if you use a little seat pack that goes on the back of the bike, it’s easy to carry the stuff with you. That would be the tube and tire levers. Those help you take the tire off of the rim. If you have got a flat, they kind of give you some extra leverage. The other thing is some type of either portable inflation device or a little miniature pump that sits on the frame. That is probably what you spend the most on and those are anywhere from $18-$30, depending on how fancy you want to go. But essentially a tube to put back into the rim, the tire levers to take it on and off and then something to re-inflate the tire are the real essentials that that you need to get before going. If you are somebody who does not like a lot of hassle and likes to do things quickly, then they make little CO2 inflators so that they pump the tire up in a split second. If you do not want to use any little miniature pump stand on the side of the trail and pump it up for five minutes.
Ted Arnold is a fit specialist for 360 Cycle Works. He has been bike riding for more than 20 years.
Part of a Series Cycling Tips



























































