Free guideTubed + tubelessUpdated July 2026
Repair Kit Must-Haves
Never get stranded by a flat.
The small kit that gets you home from a flat, tubed or tubeless.The small saddlebag kit that gets you home from a flat, a broken chain, or a loose bolt. My pick for every item, two alternatives, and what changes if you run tubeless.
Whatever you ride, one small saddlebag should live on your bike. Below is the base kit every cyclist carries, then a short list to add depending on whether you run tubes or tubeless. The goal isn’t to carry a workshop. It’s to carry enough to get home.
The exact kit
Shop the kit, item by item
Pick your tires. Every item opens the store in a new tab.
The base kit
- SaddlebagSILCA Mattone GrandeHolds the base kit under the saddle, so nothing rides in your pockets.Also good: Topeak Aero Wedge; Lezyne Road Caddy
- Tire leversPark Tool Tire LeversGets the tire off the rim so you can reach the tube or the puncture.Also good: Pedro’s Tire Levers; SILCA Premio Tire Levers
- Multi-toolPark Tool Mini Multi-Tool with Chain ToolTightens whatever rattles loose. The chain tool fixes a broken chain.Also good: Crankbrothers M17; Topeak Mini PT30
- Tire bootPark Tool TB-2 Tire BootsCovers a cut in the tire itself, so a new tube doesn’t push through it.Also good: Folded currency; a purpose-made adhesive tire boot
- Quick linkThe one that matches your chainRejoins a broken chain. Buy the one for your drivetrain’s speed.Also good: Shimano Quick-Link; SRAM PowerLock
- InflationCycplus Mini Electric Pump, or the Fanttik X10 Ace on a budgetElectric is fastest. On long rides, carry a manual backup.Also good: A CO2 inflator with two cartridges
Some links are affiliate links: if you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why tubeless riders still carry a tube
It sounds backward, but plugs don’t fix everything. If the puncture is too large, the tire is cut, the valve fails, or the tire unseats, the tube becomes your way home.
Tubed and tubeless tires fail differently, so the kits differ slightly, but most of the gear is the same. Every cyclist needs tire levers, a way to inflate, a multi-tool, a tire boot, and a quick link. Tubed riders add spare tubes and patches. Tubeless riders add plugs, and still carry a tube.
Normal rides vs. long or unsupported rides
For a typical loop close to home, the base kit plus your tube or tubeless add-ons is plenty.
For long, remote, or unsupported rides, carry a second tube (or a small bottle of sealant if you run tubeless), and don’t rely on a single CO2 cartridge. Bring a backup, or a mini pump you can fall back on.
Practice once at home
Knowing what’s in the bag only helps if you’ve practiced once. Learn to remove a wheel, seat a tube or place a plug, and inflate to a sane pressure: at home, on the couch, before you ever need it on the road.
Written for you if
- You’re starting to ride on your own and don’t know what goes in a saddlebag.
- You run tubeless, or aren’t sure, and want to know what changes.
- You’d rather fix a flat in ten minutes than call someone for a ride home.
Questions
Common questions
I have tubeless tires. Do I still need a tube?
Yes. Plugs don’t fix everything. If the cut is too big or the valve fails, the tube is your way home. The guide covers both setups.
CO2 or a pump?
Either works. A pump never runs out; CO2 is smaller and faster. On long rides, carry two cartridges or a pump as backup.
Can I just buy the kit?
Yes. Every item in the kit above links to the exact product. Some are affiliate links, which keep the guides free and cost you nothing extra. Shop the exact kit
How do I know if I run tubeless?
Check your bike’s spec sheet or ask the shop that sold it. If you’re still not sure, carry the tubeless kit: it already includes a tube.
Can I print this?
Yes. The printable version has the same kit and alternatives on four pages, no email needed. Download the PDF
More free cycling guides
- Buying Your First Road BikeTypes, sizing, new vs. used, what to spend, and the exact bikes I’d buy at every budget.
- Cycling Gear for Every BudgetWhat you actually need, what can wait, and what isn’t worth buying yet.
Written by Chris TomshackEvery guide here is written by me, from my own riding. Not AI.
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