Comment by heather on July 9, 2012 at 23:50

Could you tell us more about the set of tools?

Comment by Steven Ellison on July 10, 2012 at 0:06

Sure Heather, I didn't actually use many of them on this occasion. The kit I purchased from Up Front Bikes, http://www.upfrontbikes.com/page3.php ) at O'Halloran Hill when I first wanted to remove my cassette. It has almost all the tools I need to work on my bike including a chain whip and a cassette locking ring tool. It has a chain breaker and bottom bracket removal tool as well. Most of the other stuff are normal tools such as alan keys, screwdrivers and spanners. From memory it was around the $100 mark.  Disapointing to find it did not have a chain stretch measuring tool! Still they are cheap enough. Besides this tool kit I do use a few T bar alan keys, a penknife and a pair of scissors. Oh, a pair of pliers and a pair of wire cutters, also a surprising couple of items missing from the kit.  Still, the kit, like many offered online, contains a lot of things a normal handyman wouldn't have but are needed specifically for bikes.

Comment by Mike W on July 10, 2012 at 0:49

Well done Steven, I wouldn't be game to have a go at that size service.

Comment by Steven Ellison on July 10, 2012 at 1:05

Mike, I would think the biggest issue most people have would be time to do it! I did a lot of research on the web and watched a lot of youtube vids to see how to do certain things like the cables, bar tape and the crank removal. The available info on the web is amazing. My biggest concern was not having a tool to do the job! Because I am in a rest period it wasn't going to be a problem if I got stuck because I had time to research it ;-)  I have, in my yonger days I rebuilt a Holden 5 litre V8 from the crank up so I figured, how hard cold a bike be ;-)

Comment by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on July 10, 2012 at 17:49

I think if you are patient and have mechanical aptitude you can do most things.

The full time mechanics get a lot better/quicker because they get the practice.

the other advantage of doing it yourself is if you have strife wile riding it often is not within walking distance of a bike shop that is open.

Comment by Clive Palfrey on July 10, 2012 at 21:44

OK so heres a strange question, what brand and size is the large saddle bag, and what do you carry in those bags?

Comment by Steven Ellison on July 10, 2012 at 21:57

Clive, its a 1.2L Topeak from Velogear. They do a 1.5L one as well which I have used on long rides because I can add a folding tyre in it too. What I normally carry in it, 3 tubes, multi-tool, penknife, 4 tyre levers, rubber gloves, chain rag, repair kit and spare batteries for taillight. The small Vitoria bag underneath has bandaides, bandage, betadine, small scisors, ibruprofin and non-stick dressing ;-) Does that answer your question fully ?

Comment by Steven Ellison on July 11, 2012 at 12:20

Don, my thought exactly, if you understand the bike you ride then you should be able to cope with most failures when in remote locations or at least know what you will need to get going again!

Comment by Clive Palfrey on July 11, 2012 at 17:46

Thanks Steven, I have a larger than average saddle bag to carry, 2 tubes, multitool, 2 x C02 and gun, pump, patches, glue and levers. Need to replace it soon and might need a second one for the other bike don't get how some of these guys getaway with such small bags

Comment by Steven Ellison on July 11, 2012 at 18:23

Clive, I don't know either! I gave up with the CO2 and stuck with a frame mount high preasure pump! To be prepared gives so much more confidance on long rides!

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