Tech Talks: Tools for a Trip, Presented by Park Tool - Video

Mar 29, 2018
by Pinkbike Staff  
Tech Talks Presented by Park Tool


Tech Talks Presented by Park Tool is a monthly video series hosted by Park Tool's own wrench whisperer, Calvin Jones. The series covers the A to Zs of some of the most prevalent repair jobs, with the twenty-first episode highlighting the essentials for a minimalist tool kit.

Calvin, Truman and two of their buddies are headed out on a road trip... Four dudes, four bikes, a heap of camping gear, and one tiny little car means there isn't much room left for tools. In this episode, Calvin and Truman put together a toolbag of essentials for their road trip and explain which items made the cut, and why.


Tools for a Trip

Views: 8,584    Faves: 20    Comments: 1



Need more Calvin in your life?

Episode #1 - Tubeless tire installation and conversion
Episode #2 - Saving that bent disc rotor
Episode #3 - Derailleur hanger alignment
Episode #4 - Shimano and Crankbrothers pedal service
Episode #5 - Trailside wheel repair
Episode #6 - Trailside chain repair
Episode #7 - Derailleur limits and cable tension
Episode #8 - Derailleur setup
Episode #9 - Fork wiper seal replacement
Episode #10 - Clipless pedal setup
Episode #11 - New cleat setup
Episode #12 - Top 5 next level shifting issues
Episode #13 - Fixing cassette play
Episode #14 - Gearing hacks
Episode #15 - Fixing sticky pistons
Episode #16 - Lubing fork seals
Episode #17 - A cleat's story
Episode #18 - Tricks of a mechanical mind
Episode #19 - Handlebar Trimming 101
Episode #20 - Chain Line 101


Stay tuned for more mechanical how-to videos with Calvin returning on the last Thursday of every month to show you the easiest way to get the job done. Want to know more? Park Tool's how-to section has you and your bike covered.

www.parktool.com / @ParkToolCompany

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87 Comments
  • 33 0
 You'd have to have some bad luck to need even half of those tools.
  • 3 30
flag IllestT (Mar 30, 2018 at 9:58) (Below Threshold)
 I'm sorry but most of these tech talks are rubbish
  • 2 0
 Better safe than sorry. Had to use tools on my bike last time a 20 minute drive away from my house. Was able to ride for the rest of the day instead of being up the creek.
  • 1 0
 If only there were shops in which one could purchase bike related items, or hire some sort of mechanic to fix things we couldn't…Nah that's crazy talk, better just bring a mechanic with a van full of tools.
  • 33 7
 Two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls. Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can.
  • 5 1
 Hey I stole that line first.
  • 2 0
 You’d boff after a fosters shandy !
  • 1 0
 @Matt115lamb: haha brilliant pissed myself
  • 18 2
 Before having kids I never appreciated how useful baby wipes could be for outdoor activities like camping trips, especially if you are going near mud and/or food.
  • 4 3
 if it wipe yo ass that's good. marginally better than the international method (aka hand-ass bull shit)
  • 1 0
 Truth
  • 1 0
 Plus they are really good for those days when you've eaten questionable food and need something to cool down the acidic burn after you've already gone through a roll of that dry, now feeling like sandpaper toilet paper.
  • 2 0
 @Boardlife69: You need to get yourself some Charmin
  • 15 0
 they bring 100x more stuff than I do, my trips include the bare bone basics. multi tool, chain tool, tire levers, extra chain links, pump, zip ties and a knife. that's all I have ever needed even on 3 day bike trips.
  • 12 0
 They mentioned the first aid kit, but I'd add some isopropyl alcohol, either in prep pads(throw in bike pack) or bottled. Perfect for cleaning dusty brake rotors, cleaning cuts/scrapes, and washing hands in a pinch.
  • 2 0
 Ain’t that the truth!
  • 2 0
 A small "airplane shooter" of vodka does the same job yet far more versatile. Can be mixed with (insert any drink here).
  • 5 0
 Baby wipes, good for cleaning all sorts of stuff when things start going rank after a week in the van... Last year my wife and I did 22,200km in 4.5 months in the search of sweet singletrack. Used almost every tool in their bag of suggestions along the way. Items stocked depends on the length of trip, age of bike and the desire to wrench. Love the videos gentleman, keep it up!
  • 6 1
 I’d say, that if you’ve got an extra derailleur, and you’re bringing everything else in this video, why not? If you break one it’s a trip-ender or you’ll have to pony-up full MSRP at a local shop.
  • 2 0
 +1. Derailleur, hangar and spokes
  • 1 0
 No chain it. Or single speed.
  • 1 0
 Legitimate concern, probably the easiest part to break on a bike if it hits a rock, or a tree stump.
  • 4 0
 I always take a bleed kit, actually I take allot of stuff but that is often because during the work week I don’t find time to tune our rides, it’s something I can do at camp. Oh and if you don’t bring it your probably gonna need it.
  • 2 0
 Just came back from a week at Rotorua with 13 buddies and used my bleed kit several times. Smashed off a brake one day, and shop didn't have time to bleed the replacement. Mate's brakes were fading, out with the bleed kit again, and on it went - nearly ran out of oil. On the other hand I didn't use the DAG-2 once. Very easy to take a small syringe, bottle of oil, spacers, hose and funnel.
  • 3 0
 Spent my first season packing and unpacking tools and spares like this every weekend. Lost things, forgot things, lugged around a lot of unnecessary stuff. Spent my next season with a dedicated set of the very few tools I actually used and left everything else at home because there's always a shop or neutral support that can be bribed with a sixer.
  • 2 0
 Yes! Tools should have a dedicated location for the most part. If You travel alot having a dedicated mobile kit is the way to go. Same goes for the what you carry on the ride. It stays in your riding gear or on your bike.
  • 7 2
 I’d say beer is an essential tool for a trip but we know how Calvin feels about that...
  • 2 1
 That is true you beat me to the punch. No beers around the campfire. They with have beer to put out the fire.????
  • 2 0
 I usually over pack, based on the few trips with the bike I've taken. But I also enjoyed knowing I had my own familiar stuff (parts or tools) should something have happened. I'm ocd about having the proper hanger for my bike, and the wife's bike, and an emergency style one for trailside. Based on my limited shop experience those can be trip ending, or at least severely bike altering if not in hand.

Doesn't hurt to make your pals admit to how much prep they did too. Finding stuff falling off the bike as you pull it out of the hatch or off the rack is just lame...and they'll be "borrowing" your spare derailleur.
  • 2 0
 Full disclosure -I road trip with a lot of shit. Probably more shit that I need and maybe I could get the shit I need by asking for shit from someone else who brings a lot of shit. That said the Park techs are so right on the deraieur hanger alignment tool cables and housings. I have earned more free beer from this shit than any of the other shit I bring so I would say these things are the shit!
  • 2 0
 That’s a lot of shit.
  • 2 0
 Just got back from a week in Finale Ligure. I overdo it with the tools/supplies but that's because I seem to have bad luck blowing up forks and needing brake bleeds at just the wrong time.
Anyhow I have a cheap Stanley tool roll made of cordura. Cost me 8 Euros..
In it is:
Full set of allens
& Torx
Box cutter
Multi Spoke wrench
2 Adjustable wrenches - I hate them, but they do work in a pinch and double as a hammer (ya ya, judge me)
Needlenose
Rag
Pad spacer
Zip ties
Multibit Screwdriver
Avid double torx
and I think one or two more things I can't think of..
The tool bag goes in a basket with a pencil bag filled with bottles/tubes of grease, chain lube and loctite. I bring 2 bleed syringes, dot fluid, tubeless juice and a small bottle of fork oil with a syringe. Throw a couple of extra rags in, a roll of paper towels and my pump, and I can handle most any problem provided I have enough beer.
I don't bring spare parts because I accept that every now and then I'll just have to shell out the msrp for a part and I don't really want to buy parts "just in case," when they'll probably be outdated in 5 minutes anyway.
  • 6 1
 I think these guys took more tools on that tripm, than i even have.
  • 2 0
 Definitely a spare rear derailleur. A messed derailleur is a trip catastrophe. Much higher probability of messing one up than many other things. A seatpost? Maybe if your suspension post doesn’t lock if a seal blows.
  • 2 0
 you guys really nailed it! the one thing you missed that i bring is 91% rubbing alcohol and clean rags to wipe down your rotors in case your brakes are squeaking or if your brakes are not working great.
  • 4 0
 They are missing an important one, presumably because Park doesn’t make them. Knipex pliers.
  • 4 0
 Having spare derailleur hangers and spare tires/tubes have saved me more than anything when traveling
  • 4 0
 I always bring a pressurized bug sprayer and fill it with water= instant bike wash.
  • 1 0
 Seems like they were preparing more for their friends than themselves.

Decent multi tool, 4mm/5mm/Tx25 Keys, Zip ties, Insulation Tape, Co2 ,Tube and the ability to improvise caters for most eventualities.

Steven Cooper was caught at Chatel last year trying to tighten his derallieur back on with a twig. lol
  • 1 0
 Remember me and some friends went to a race in another city and wanted me as a mechanic... What I do? Check all bikes some weeks before the race to know what I'll carry and what not... Guess what? None of their bikes had problems... Perfect weekend!
  • 1 0
 A 6' X 6' ground cloth so that every tool you set down or part you drop doesn't need to be cleaned before reuse. Some grease wipes ( Grease Monkey ) to clean parts, tools and hands.
  • 5 1
 Spare seat post, but not rear derailleur?! Whaaaat...
  • 4 0
 What happens in the tent, stays in the tent.
  • 1 2
 They did say spare derailleur.
  • 1 0
 @iammarkstewart: nah man. Whatch it again. 14:42ish.
  • 1 0
 I feel like I take less overall stuff than that, but I have more tools with me. No duplicates, except whats on a little multi tool.
  • 2 0
 I bring an extra set of brakes and der/shifter. Especially traveling in Canada or bike resorts shits expensive to replace.
  • 2 0
 They did a really good job of showing what to bring if you're a world cup bike mechanic.
  • 4 0
 Bottle opener and KY
  • 2 0
 Glad to see these videos, like Tech Tues I think these are great for every one in the industry.
  • 3 0
 Great one guys!
  • 2 0
 Baby Wipes. Tire Plug. Velcros. Leatherman.
  • 1 3
 I dig Calvin and his videos but that tool-bag is a cluster-f**k of unnecessary tools and disorganization. Not to mention the pseudo random pile of spares. WTH?

My OCD is killing me.

Do yourself a solid and invest in a true tool bag. Tools are organized and there is room for spares. Here is a great one with a light because fixing bikes by firelight isn’t romantic, it sucks.

www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DGL523-Lighted-Backpack-57-Pockets/dp/B00QNTVVOG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1522370780&sr=8-5&keywords=tool.+backpack
  • 1 0
 Amen. I use a tool roll. Digging around in a bag is frustrating.
  • 1 0
 Check out Adventure tool Bags. That is one of there products in the video.
  • 1 0
 I use this tool bag and a old school metal toolbox for my tools, I used to pack tools like that and it sucks in the dark trying to find a tool, you have to empty the entire bag to get the tool you need that is always at the bottom.

www.lowes.com/pd/AWP-Polyester-Zippered-Closed-Tool-Bag/50331639
  • 1 0
 Also Recycledfirefighter.com makes some sweet bags.
  • 2 0
 They forgot to mention to bring an extra whole bike! Just in case...
  • 2 1
 ...leave the derailleur at home, but bring the suspension linkage bolt?! I don't want to camp or ride bikes with you...
  • 1 0
 You know one of your buddies has a bolt that always comes loose. Or maybe thats just me.
  • 2 1
 @partsgeek: Totally...which justifies the hex wrenches. Damaged or lost bolt requiring replacement, though?!
  • 1 0
 @oneillst: Oh yeah, I have a buddy and a few times has had a bolt come loose and fall out. Same one multiple times. It has not come loose for awhile as we have since looked further into the issue but the risk is real and therefore it comes with. Never had a derailleur ripped off.... well not since nam.
  • 1 0
 @partsgeek: Saigon.........Shit!
  • 3 0
 Headlamp !!!
  • 2 1
 I take no tools with me ever. When something breaks, I hike a bike back home. Hiking is healthy.
  • 1 0
 I'd like to see Calvin chain-smoke an entire pack of cigarettes in the next episode
  • 3 2
 That bag of tool is probably worth around £60,000,000 pounds.
  • 1 0
 I say "Stashe-off" between Calvin and Thurber from Gold Rush.
  • 2 1
 The tool of a trip. There's always one.
  • 1 0
 At 2:46 there is no ball end on that 8mm hex
  • 2 0
 Bug spray
  • 3 3
 I worked as a bike mechanic for 5 years and didn't need half of those tools
  • 1 0
 Rent a truck and tow the mobile workshop.
  • 1 0
 This is Night at the Roxbury backwards. Yes....... No!!! Frown
  • 1 0
 There needs to be a Calvin app!
  • 2 1
 FREE BEER!
  • 3 2
 Always enjoy these vids!
  • 1 0
 holy mustache!
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