What do you guys carry in your trail pack?
- Thread starter shang
- Start date
Leo
New member
it's a Bandage. 
Zman
Platinum Level Site Supporter
Even with proper maintenance things break, either on their own or with help. ;-) I view carrying tools and spare parts like insurance. I would rather have and not need them, than need them and not have them. If you ride close to your truck you probably don't need to carry much. I personally hate riding a bike or with bikes that could perform properly with a few tweaks. Weather, temperature and altitude and altitude changes are a fact of life and you cant always predict where you will ride. We ride with 2 adults and 4 young adults and we typically need to do some tweaks or repairs on the trail.
Wearing a "real" backpack that fits right and properly distributes and supports the load on the rider is critical. I have a Dueter and love it. The below list can be changed depending on the ride.
large adjustable with the handle cut short
small adjustable wrench
small vice grips
Swiss army knife
small needle nose plyers
shorty metric wrenches 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17mm
allen wrenches
multi screwdriver with quick change bits.
Jets mains and pilots, spare needle, clip and jet tool
small hose clamp,
3 ft of 1/4" fuel line
spare master link
tube patches
small tire pump
misc nuts, bolts and washers
zip ties
electrical tape
few feet of wire, quick connects / butt connectors
small first aid kit
large garbage bags- work great in a pinch for rain gear and to stay warm
paper towels in a zip lock bag- works to clean everything from one end to the other ;-)
spare riding gloves
LED flashlight
power bars
crazy glue
epoxy putty
lighter
space blanket
2 spare spark plugs and plug wrench
registration and insurance card
tow rope
Without water it weighs in at 10.9lbs
Wearing a "real" backpack that fits right and properly distributes and supports the load on the rider is critical. I have a Dueter and love it. The below list can be changed depending on the ride.
large adjustable with the handle cut short
small adjustable wrench
small vice grips
Swiss army knife
small needle nose plyers
shorty metric wrenches 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17mm
allen wrenches
multi screwdriver with quick change bits.
Jets mains and pilots, spare needle, clip and jet tool
small hose clamp,
3 ft of 1/4" fuel line
spare master link
tube patches
small tire pump
misc nuts, bolts and washers
zip ties
electrical tape
few feet of wire, quick connects / butt connectors
small first aid kit
large garbage bags- work great in a pinch for rain gear and to stay warm
paper towels in a zip lock bag- works to clean everything from one end to the other ;-)
spare riding gloves
LED flashlight
power bars
crazy glue
epoxy putty
lighter
space blanket
2 spare spark plugs and plug wrench
registration and insurance card
tow rope
Without water it weighs in at 10.9lbs
Jakobi
Super Moderator
I think we all have different requirements in our kit, either based by where/how we ride, or how far from assistance we travel.
In general I carry my tools around as a safety buffer. Its nice to have them if someone else needs something in particular, but more so in the event that I need to do something. I could leave it at home 9 times out of 10 and probably be just fine! but then I think about the 1 time I do need it and the likelihood of that occurring the day I don't have it.
In general I carry my tools around as a safety buffer. Its nice to have them if someone else needs something in particular, but more so in the event that I need to do something. I could leave it at home 9 times out of 10 and probably be just fine! but then I think about the 1 time I do need it and the likelihood of that occurring the day I don't have it.
GasGas
New member
Jakobi
Super Moderator
As Jake said, to each there own. Some of the places I go riding, if it dies it stays there til it's fixed. There is no way you would get a dead bike out of some of the valleys. Which is why I also carry a lighter and the phone number for my insurance company.... Jokes
Hahah! I always carry a lighter, and a small torch. Prepared to stay the night if I have to.
I remember leaving a TE300 in the rainforest for a week while we mustered up a used piston to install for extrication! Made a ghost out of the drop sheet and leaf litter who now watches over the riders. He's still there last I heard too!
swazi_matt
Active member
I used to have a very random tool belt, i was not great at putting tools back in it and generally rode with a buddy similar to Jakobi - and anyway i did not really know how to fix anything on my bike.
Anyway i went for a ride with a different friend and i assume that it was the 12 month old premix in his tank, but the short of it was that he seized his bike in the middle of nowhere. Accessible by 4x4 though. So i gave him my phone so that i could contact him when we were on our way back with the truck and headed off on my own.
I knew the route back well, however crossing a very shallow river flowing over solid rock with a nice layer of algae on it the bike slipped out from under me and slid down the rock into a pool below and drowned.
with the help of two boys that were swimming in the river i managed to get the bike out the other side and opened my tool belt to see what i had - a flat screwdriver, a pair of long nose pliers and a 10 spanner some expired energy sachets, a few fuel receipts and race entries.
Fortunately i had just read an article on how to undrown your bike so the theory was still fresh in my mind, but a bit lacking on the tool side, so in an attempt to ignore this i got started getting to the air filter (kx250) with the open end of the spanner and the pliers. that was easy(ish) same method to get the tank off to access the spark plug.
this is when i realised that you cannot take a plug out with long nose pliers, so i will now reveal the secret to taking off a spark plug with a flat screwdriver a revelation aquired amidst swearing and cursing and the desperation of having to walk a few km to the nearest road - you lie the bike on the side, get a decent sized rock, put the screwdriver blade on the the edge of one point of the hexagonal part (that you would normally put your plug spanner on) and gently tap and the plug will turn
follow this with much ululating and a little jiggy dance, but keep enough energy for when it comes time to start kicking.
I eventually arrived home to a crying (new) wife who had phoned my phone and my buddy had told here i had left hours ago to fetch my truck. That was the last ride i did that did not recieve the now customary complaints and arguments from my wife ;-) - for some reason she was not as impressed with my maguyver skills as i was!!
the next day i was sent with strict instructions to purchase all the tools i needed for my bumbag!!!
I now carry the bulk of them under my seat and key ones in my tool belt!
Anyway i went for a ride with a different friend and i assume that it was the 12 month old premix in his tank, but the short of it was that he seized his bike in the middle of nowhere. Accessible by 4x4 though. So i gave him my phone so that i could contact him when we were on our way back with the truck and headed off on my own.
I knew the route back well, however crossing a very shallow river flowing over solid rock with a nice layer of algae on it the bike slipped out from under me and slid down the rock into a pool below and drowned.
with the help of two boys that were swimming in the river i managed to get the bike out the other side and opened my tool belt to see what i had - a flat screwdriver, a pair of long nose pliers and a 10 spanner some expired energy sachets, a few fuel receipts and race entries.
Fortunately i had just read an article on how to undrown your bike so the theory was still fresh in my mind, but a bit lacking on the tool side, so in an attempt to ignore this i got started getting to the air filter (kx250) with the open end of the spanner and the pliers. that was easy(ish) same method to get the tank off to access the spark plug.
this is when i realised that you cannot take a plug out with long nose pliers, so i will now reveal the secret to taking off a spark plug with a flat screwdriver a revelation aquired amidst swearing and cursing and the desperation of having to walk a few km to the nearest road - you lie the bike on the side, get a decent sized rock, put the screwdriver blade on the the edge of one point of the hexagonal part (that you would normally put your plug spanner on) and gently tap and the plug will turn
follow this with much ululating and a little jiggy dance, but keep enough energy for when it comes time to start kicking.
I eventually arrived home to a crying (new) wife who had phoned my phone and my buddy had told here i had left hours ago to fetch my truck. That was the last ride i did that did not recieve the now customary complaints and arguments from my wife ;-) - for some reason she was not as impressed with my maguyver skills as i was!!
the next day i was sent with strict instructions to purchase all the tools i needed for my bumbag!!!
I now carry the bulk of them under my seat and key ones in my tool belt!
rosco
Gold Level Site Supporter
Listed in order of importance:
Can of Copenhagen
Butt Wipe
Duct tape
Candy bar
Zip ties
1.5 oz. bottle of 2-stroke oil
3,4,5,6mm allen wrenches
shorty 6,8,10,12,13,wrenches
mini socket set with a 6,8,10,12,13mm
spare plug
mini crescent wrench
That's pretty much it.
Can of Copenhagen
Butt Wipe
Duct tape
Candy bar
Zip ties
1.5 oz. bottle of 2-stroke oil
3,4,5,6mm allen wrenches
shorty 6,8,10,12,13,wrenches
mini socket set with a 6,8,10,12,13mm
spare plug
mini crescent wrench
That's pretty much it.
bowhunter007
New member
I won't even get out of the truck, if I've forgotten these items...mostly the Copenhagen. I pack 2, just in case I'm hungry
Shirt sleeves or handkerchiefs can sub for other necessities.
I won't even get out of the truck, if I've forgotten these items...mostly the Copenhagen. I pack 2, just in case I'm hungry
Shirt sleeves or handkerchiefs can sub for other necessities.
Hahah!! That's funny! I always carry wet wipes. The greatest gift having children has brought into our home was baby wipes.
bowhunter007
New member
Same here, mostly I take care of that sort of business business, before riding. There are days...
I have one of those Zacspeed chest protector/backpack combos. I keep a bunch of things in it including zip ties, siphon hose, medical stuff, and a part roll of TP - which I've needed on more than one occasion 
LOL, a tow strap, and a few other items.
I also have a bumbag with tools in it, but only carry it when doing trail work, long trail rides into gods country, or enduros.
Most of the other times, I can get back to the truck one way or another.
LOL, a tow strap, and a few other items. I also have a bumbag with tools in it, but only carry it when doing trail work, long trail rides into gods country, or enduros.
Most of the other times, I can get back to the truck one way or another.
Fender packs were popular back in the day.IT, KDX, XR and some Euros.
If you are doing a lot of long rides miles away from help then yeah.This was mentioned in an earlier post.
If you are on and off the bike a lot they suck.If you have a plate mounted one the fender will crack at the holes you drill eventually.They can be noisy, rattling tools whatever.They don't hold up that well.Zipper usually get tattered.The tools-anything sharp wears creases and eventually wear a hole.I'm not a fan.
You can roll up a tube and put it in a pouch and zip tie it to the fender.I carry a 21 inch tube.It works in the front or the rear if you need one on the trail.
Stainless tie wire.Duct tape, Zip ties and homemade rubber wrap can do a lot.
4 way screwdriver.6-8-10-12-13-14 wrenches all thin low profile.
Small vise grip.And a crescent wrench big enough for the rear axle nut.I chop the end off and grind it down to double as a tire iron.Same with the 14 mm.
I cut the open end off and make a tire iron.
Allen set.You want quality here.Buy a good set.
Spark plug wrench.I use a 12 point with the drop angle and cut the open end off -yep and grind the end with a taper for a tire iron.
A couple of new plugs standard heat range.And a hotter plug too in case somebody's bike is eating plugs.A patch kit.Again quality here.And a good small hand pump.
Honestly these quality bicycle shops have trick shit.They are ahead of us on trail gear.
And a good tow strap.And a cliff bar.Waterproof matches.
Those are the basics for me depending.
I try to keep in mind it isn't just my bike I have to worry about.If they break you break.
In a larger group say 4-6 on a long ride you don't all need to carry the same crap.
Master link.Or 2.
There's always more.But I try to keep it to a minimum.
Id rather take a light rainproof jacket and a good lunch with me then my roll away tool box.
If you are doing a lot of long rides miles away from help then yeah.This was mentioned in an earlier post.
If you are on and off the bike a lot they suck.If you have a plate mounted one the fender will crack at the holes you drill eventually.They can be noisy, rattling tools whatever.They don't hold up that well.Zipper usually get tattered.The tools-anything sharp wears creases and eventually wear a hole.I'm not a fan.
You can roll up a tube and put it in a pouch and zip tie it to the fender.I carry a 21 inch tube.It works in the front or the rear if you need one on the trail.
Stainless tie wire.Duct tape, Zip ties and homemade rubber wrap can do a lot.
4 way screwdriver.6-8-10-12-13-14 wrenches all thin low profile.
Small vise grip.And a crescent wrench big enough for the rear axle nut.I chop the end off and grind it down to double as a tire iron.Same with the 14 mm.
I cut the open end off and make a tire iron.
Allen set.You want quality here.Buy a good set.
Spark plug wrench.I use a 12 point with the drop angle and cut the open end off -yep and grind the end with a taper for a tire iron.
A couple of new plugs standard heat range.And a hotter plug too in case somebody's bike is eating plugs.A patch kit.Again quality here.And a good small hand pump.
Honestly these quality bicycle shops have trick shit.They are ahead of us on trail gear.
And a good tow strap.And a cliff bar.Waterproof matches.
Those are the basics for me depending.
I try to keep in mind it isn't just my bike I have to worry about.If they break you break.
In a larger group say 4-6 on a long ride you don't all need to carry the same crap.
Master link.Or 2.
There's always more.But I try to keep it to a minimum.
Id rather take a light rainproof jacket and a good lunch with me then my roll away tool box.
Too much stuff is what I carry, recently went through it and reduced it by half...still a little too heavy. Next step is mousses (no need for tire irons or tubes) and drilling out some of my wrenches to lighten it up even more.
My back just isn't what it used to be, can't carry the weight anymore.
My back just isn't what it used to be, can't carry the weight anymore.
swazi_matt
Active member
I had one. Just bolted it through the fender. It was fine but I now have it fitted under my seat and this is better. Doesn't flap around, lower center of gravity and away from thieving hands - keep the more common tools - Allen keys, plug spanner, GG 3way socket,screwdriver- in my bumbag
GLantern
New member
Did you bolt through the actual fender or just the plastic cover on the top? I had done just the top piece and it broke off in a crash, might not have had anything to do with the pack but I'm not entirely sure.
Have any pics of your under seat setup? Would be great to see it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
swazi_matt
Active member
Yep just bolted it through the plastic fender (I never had the rigid light fixture on my bike). The bag had 4 10mm eyelets through the bottom for the bolts - a bit of an overkill I think
I am too embarrassed to show you my underseat setup, it is one of those temporary test jobs that never got upgraded to "proper" because it works. There is a gasgas rider who has done a great setup on YouTube. Should find it quite easily on this forum as well. (I am on my phone otherwise I would find the link)