I don’t commute with any tools. I have pubic transit options throughout my ride, so if I have a mechanical issue it’s quicker and easier to lock up, catch a bus or train, and deal with it on my way home. I’ve only even needed to do this a handful of times in nearly a decade of commuting.

For weekend rides where I’m farther from reliable transit, I’ll take a pump, tubeless plugs, innertube, multitool, zipties, and quicklink tool+extra links.

I’ve gotten a surprising amount of mileage out of one of those folding bicycle multi-tool things. I don’t remember what brand (or non-brand) mine is. I picked it out of the bargain bin at my local bike shop in like 1999. I owned it for at least a decade before I figured out the scales come off the sides and they act as tire levers. The thing is capable of acting as a driver for almost every fastener on my bike and is also a spoke wrench, chain breaker and reassembler, and headstock nut spanner wrench. Of course, I can tell you how many times I’ve ever had to adjust spokes, break a chain, or tighten a steering stem nut out in the field, and that is zero. But the thought is nice, I guess.

I used to carry a CO2 inflator but I don’t anymore, because I determined that these are a pain in the ass. I have a small frame mount pump instead, again of unknown generic brand and origin.

A spare tube. Some zip ties. Some self adhesive tube patches which now that I think about it are probably expired. And I never leave the house without a small flashlight, Leatherman tool, and lighter.

Since my ride is also now an e-bicycle (complete with generic Chinese rear wheel hub conversion) I also determined that keeping a small adjustable wrench in my seat post bag is essential, because… The motor hub has a bolt on axle, not the quick release that my original axle had. Duh. The first flat I picked up on that thing found me busting the axle nut off with my Leatherman tool, which I got away with but was not ideal.

I carry a large Soma Stash storage bottle containing the tools below. When I switch bikes it’s quick and easy to move the bottle from one bike to another.

• Folding multi tool (hex wrenches, screwdrivers, chain breaker)
• Tire levers
• Patch kit
• Extra tube
• CO2 cartridge & inflation valve
• Rag for wiping my hands clean, and preventing things form rattling in the bottle

I also carry a small hand pump, usually attached to the frame but sometimes in a bag.

The redundant tube/patch kit and pump/CO2 cartridge helps accommodate my mood. Sometimes I have the patience to patch and pump on the side of the road. Other times I just want to slap in a new tube and get home; I’ll deal with the damaged tube later.

Nearly all of my trips are in urban areas, so I only keep a spare light with me. Flat tires and such mean taking the bus or phoning a friend, then fixing at home.

Repair kit, poncho, cable lock, ulock, spare tube, pump, and safety glasses for night riding.