Creak, creak, creak — not the sound you want to hear while riding your bike. As I rode down the Victoria Street hill to Olive Street I was sure that the creak was coming from the headset. So, on a foggy morning last week, I decided that it was time to repair my favorite Lemond bicycle. I could have rolled down to Bici Centro where the awesome shop mechanics and volunteers would confirm my diagnosis and help me with the repair. The headset was old. I was sure I needed a new one, but it would be fun to check it out first. I’m no great mechanic, but I’ve long done most of the simple maintenance on my bicycles. With the guidance of a YouTube video I soon had the threadless headset loosely apart with the front fork still mounted. To my surprise it still creaked. It took a few minutes of turning the fork and pondering before the "aha" moment set in, and I realized that it wasn’t the headset creaking but the brake cables rubbing against the head tube!
When I’m out on my bike, I always have with me the basic tools to handle simple repairs. The most common problem is a flat tire, so not surprisingly most of the tools I carry will allow me to sit on the curb and quickly repair or replace a punctured tube. Here are the seven items to carry with you to fix the most common problems. They all fit in a little pack that can attach underneath your seat, except for the pump. And, if you don't already have these items, you can buy them for under $40.
Spare Tube: If you're going to be running errands, commuting to UCSB, riding up Gibraltar or down to Carpinteria, the most likely problem you'll have with your bike is a flat tire. So bring along an extra tube. They’re inexpensive, and if you’re not sure of the right size, stop by your local bike shop. They are fairly compact, easy to change, and you'll be back riding in no time. Every cyclist should know how to change a flat . Practice a few times at home before hitting the road!