What to Carry on a Road Ride: The Pocket Repair Kit
A simple repair kit that fits in three jersey pockets and covers the problems that actually stop rides: flats, loose bolts and dropped chains.
In this post
Be the rider who has the right tool, not the one asking for it.
Most rides end without a single mechanical. The ones that don't are the ones you remember, usually because nobody had a tube that fit. Here's a simple repair kit that fits in three jersey pockets or a small saddle bag, and covers the problems that actually stop rides.
The essentials (carry these every ride)
A spare tube that fits your bike
Check the size on your tire sidewall (for example 700x28c) and the valve length on your wheels. Deep rims need longer valves. If you run tubeless, still carry a tube: it's the backup when a plug won't seal.
Tire levers
Two plastic levers are enough for most tires. Tight tubeless tires are easier with a third.
A pump or CO2
A mini pump never runs out. CO2 is faster and smaller, but each cartridge is one go, so carry two or carry both. If you use CO2, get a head that lets you control the flow.
A multi-tool
Look for 4, 5 and 6 mm hex keys, a T25 Torx and a Phillips head. That covers most bolts on a modern road bike: stem, seat post, bottle cages and brake calipers. A chain tool built in is a bonus.
A tire boot
A small patch of tough material, or even a folded banknote in a pinch, goes inside the tire to cover a cut so the new tube doesn't bulge through it.
Phone, card and a little cash
For the coffee stop, and for the rare day the fix is a ride home.
Nice to have
- Quick link for your chain speed (11 or 12 speed, for example). With a chain tool, it fixes a snapped chain.
- Tubeless plugs if you run tubeless. Most small punctures seal with one plug.
- A few zip ties and a strip of tape wrapped around your pump. They hold rattling things, loose cables and broken cleats.
- Disposable gloves so a chain fix doesn't end with black hands on the bar tape.
How to pack it
A road jersey has three rear pockets, and there's a simple way to use them:
- Left pocket: tube, levers and boot, rolled together in a small pouch or an old sock.
- Center pocket: pump or CO2 and the multi-tool, so the weight sits in the middle.
- Right pocket: food, phone and card, where you can reach them while riding.
If your pockets are already full of food and a rain jacket, move the tools to a small saddle bag and leave them there. A kit that lives on the bike is a kit you don't forget.
Learn the two fixes that matter
Carrying tools only helps if you can use them. Practice these at home once, with no one waiting:
- Change a tube. Before fitting the new tube, run your fingers carefully around the inside of the tire to find whatever caused the flat. Otherwise it punctures the new tube too.
- Re-seat a dropped chain. Shift to the small chainring, then lift the chain back on while turning the cranks slowly by hand.
Want company while you practice? Our guide to hosting a fix-it ride turns it into a group ride with coffee.
Dress the part
If you're the rider who always has the spare tube, you might as well wear the uniform. The Mechanic ($99.95) is a navy cycling jersey printed with work-shirt details: collar points, five buttons beside a real full-length zip, chest pockets, a CORBAH CYCLE WORKS badge and a name patch that reads CREW. The three rear pockets are real. Put your own name on the patch for free.
Get yours
Every Corbah jersey is made to order (about 5–6 weeks) with free personalization. See the Domestique collection for more, and check the size guide first: we don't take returns or exchanges, but if the size is wrong you keep the jersey and can order another size within 15 days of delivery for about 20–60% off. For more on fit, read how a cycling jersey should fit.
