Tool recommendation?

[Catrin]

I just have the bare basic mini-tool on my touring/road bikes. One tube, levers, small Serfas mini-tool with 8 tools and a Park Super Patch. Is there anything else I should carry on the mountain bike? I won't really be getting out there until after the clinic, but want to keep my eyes open for a good sale on my mountain bike seat-bag contents between now and then...

I am really looking forward to seeing what the disc brakes are like, I've heard how they are so much stronger from the caliper brakes I am accustomed to...

[Irulan]

The braking is different with discs. You'll want to learn one finger braking, and modulating. Whatever you do, don't grab a fistfull!

[Catrin]

Thanks for the warning, the Gunnar will have V-brakes rather than the cantilevers on my LHT - guess I will know a lot more about brakes before long! Hopefully no hard lessons in this department

I am thinking I should get a better multi-tool for the mountain bike. At the clinic there will be "campfire clinics" on the Sat. evening to address things such as fixing broken chains, tire changing, and other topics.

[Aggie_Ama]

DH has a Crank Brothers one that I think has 16 tools. I also carry a quick link (in case a chain snaps), several CO2, a tube, a pretty decent pump, tire levers and a small first aid kit. I am tubeless but I still have a tube because you can flat on tubeless.

[crazycanuck]

Always know how to use that chain breaker and acutally carry it...speaking from experience..

[Becky]

Always know how to use that chain breaker and acutally carry it...speaking from experience..

+1. IME, that's really what makes a "mountain bike" tool different than a "road bike" tool. (Ok, and maybe a Torx driver if your brake rotors use them.)

I've never needed a chain tool on a road bike *knocks wood*

[Catrin]

Always know how to use that chain breaker and acutally carry it...speaking from experience..

Will remember. I am going to have a SRAM chain if that makes a difference - I sort of understand about the power link, but really won't until I see it demonstrated.

DH has a Crank Brothers one that I think has 16 tools. I also carry a quick link (in case a chain snaps), several CO2, a tube, a pretty decent pump, tire levers and a small first aid kit. I am tubeless but I still have a tube because you can flat on tubeless.

Thanks for this - I AM getting a good pump with a gauge that will fit in my Camelbak so I can have it with me regardless of the bike I am riding. Certainly a first-aid kit is a must-have - especially as a beginner. My LBS is filled with avid mountain bikers, so will ask them their suggestion for a multi-tool for the mountain bike, but it is good to have an idea of the appropriate size. I think I've noticed the Crank Brothers before.

They are recommending I get shin guards since I am starting out on BMX pedals, and my pedals have something like 15 pins. Considering the number of scars from my other pedals last year that only had 6 pins, this might not be a bad idea. Has anyone here done this?

[Irulan]

They are recommending I get shin guards since I am starting out on BMX pedals, and my pedals have something like 15 pins. Considering the number of scars from my other pedals last year that only had 6 pins, this might not be a bad idea. Has anyone here done this?

no shin guards + flats = hamburger shins.

Shin guards are recommended. Look at "veggie skins"