Road race - essential equipment

[Rick]

Hi guys

 

I'm sure this has come up many times in various forms, but I'm trying to plan and finalise my ideal race day kit list and I need some opinions on what people are taking with these days. Please bear in mind, i'm thinking strictly of a race, not training, when training i usually take the camelbak coz it's packed and i can put plenty of stuff in.

 

Firstly, I have just bought a CO2 dispenser because it strikes me as an obvious time saver. Question is, do you then also take a pump? If so, why.

How many tubes and how many bombs?

Do you take a chain breaker and quick links or do you clean and inspect the chain before racing and trust it?

Are guys using saddle bags? I see many forum posts implying that they are somewhat out of favour these days. Many guys are saying they put stuff in their pockets, but I have this nagging notion that you're trying to get weight OFF your body. I can't say I have ever had a saddle bag that rattles or makes a noise, rather i find the opposite in that i can't fit everything. Obviously if you get a massive one then it's an eyesore, but a sleek saddle bag to me means you don't have to pack at least 4 items each time you go racing.

 

Please share your thoughts

 

Thanks

Edited February 16, 2011 by prisma

[wapad]

Hi guys

 

I'm sure this has come up many times in various forms, but I'm trying to plan and finalise my ideal race day kit list and I need some opinions on what people are taking with these days. Please bear in mind, i'm thinking strictly of a race, not training, when training i usually take the camelbak coz it's packed and i can put plenty of stuff in.

 

Firstly, I have just bought a CO2 dispenser because it strikes me as an obvious time saver. Question is, do you then also take a pump? If so, why.

How many tubes and how many bombs?

Do you take a chain breaker and quick links or do you clean and inspect the chain before racing and trust it?

Are guys using saddle bags? I see many forum posts implying that they are somewhat out of favour these days. Many guys are saying they put stuff in their pockets, but I have this nagging notion that you're trying to get weight OFF your body. I can't say I have ever had a saddle bag that rattles or makes a noise, rather i find the opposite in that i can't fit everything. Obviously if you get a massive one then it's an eyesore, but a sleek saddle bag to me means you don't have to pack at least 4 items each time you go racing.

 

Please share your thoughts

 

Thanks

 

 

Sorry just edited I see you said road race

 

first up if you use a bomb 2 cartridges ( CO2 thingy) make sure you use it a few times, waste a few cartridges getting to know it

 

if you are riding tubeless (mtb, no-one in their rightmind would ride on the road with a camelbak way uncool) make sure you have a plug kit( for cuts I had a punture on a tubeless and changed it to a tube, what a mess + you have no protection for thorns with a tube that has no slime in it) and also you know how to use it MTB Tip

 

I carry a bomb and a pump, pump weighs 130 grams, you see so many people needing one and really halfway through the race after half a bottle you wont feel it and a bomb doesnt go far in a mtb. MTB

 

I always carry a powerlink and chain breaker, the one time I left my chain breaker at home my chain broke.....MTB

 

saddle bag is good to keep the repair stuff, pockets for bottles and chow, I also use a pouch on my stem for gels etc

 

Also practice as you would race get used to riding with the minimum I race with a lightweight camelbak that only carries a litre and a bottle with 32GI, on a long race carry a portion of powder in cling in case I need a juice top up

 

The difference between a big camel bak and a lightweight + saddle pouch is about 0.8-1.0kg without water in either that a couple of thousand in parts on your bike

 

on a road bike I dont use the camelbak just two bottles and no pump as you cant get the wheel hard enough with pump anyway but then have a tube

 

every now and then I'll pull over and help a fellow racer in trouble its a good feeling, I mean I'm not gonna win...

Edited February 17, 2011 by wapad

[David Marshall]

In a road race I carry a small pump and in my saddlebag I have one CO2 bomb, tyre levers, two tubes and a speed link.

[RudoJ]

An essential item in preparing for race day is prolly a bike as well?

Sorry for that, just had to

 

As a MTB'er, I always take the following:

One/two bottles/Camelback depnding on lenght of race

Pump (I dont run tubeless)

Saddlebag with Multi-tool, 2quick links, slime peel&stick pacthes, tyre levers and one tube with slime

 

On my body I carry stuff like gels, or whatever I take with me on race day to eat/drink.

 

Makes more sense if you have stuff to carry, to put that on your bike as far as possible, much more stable methinks

 

just my 2c

[Prozac]

I do carry a tube , co2 bomb , 2 x levers (Try not to use them) and my car keys in my saddle bag.

[bikemonster]

no-one in their rightmind would ride on the road with a camelbak way uncool

 

Pffffft!!!!

 

And who appointed you chief of the style police?

 

A Camelbak on the road is excellent. I'll stop using it on the road just as soon as I have a domestique to fetch bidons for me from the team car. Until then, the 'bak stays! It has space to carry a lightweight pump, small multi tool and small chain breaker and a R50 note for emergency money.

 

To answer the OP:

 

Saddle bag with two tubes, tyre levers, tool-less chain link and some glue on patches for just-in-case.

 

Saddle bags are rated uncool for some for exactly the same reasons that Camelbaks are rated as uncool: you don't see the pros using them. Do you want to ponce about looking like a pro or do you want to ride your bike (and be reasonably self-sufficient)?

[capeofstorms]

Hi,

 

1. 2 C02 bombs

2. bicycle pump ( a must had a bomb fail on me in a race due to a sticky valve)

3. small chain breaker + power link

4. glove - those ones the guys use in the delicatessen. Handy, folds up to the size of a R5 coin

5. 1 tyre lever

6. small sqare cut out from an old tyre - for those nasty gashes

7. 2 tubes

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

I carry with me : 1 tube, 2 bombs, 1 chainlink, 1 gluless patch kit (5 in the box), R50, 1 x mini tool. If I puncture three times in a ride, well then, I might as well go home anyway, hence, 1 tube for the quick change, if i puncture a second time, I use the patch kit.

Nothing really more needed in my opinion.

I do NOT use a saddle bag. I pack in one little bag that goes on my left hand rear pocket.

[The Guy in Pink]

If you are racing then essential equipment is a well maintained bike, water and food for the race, and thats all.

If you puncture and you don't have a back up vechile with a wheel your race is over anyway.

If you are not racing, then by all means take a spare, pump , tool kit and picnic hamper.

[LeTurbo]

In my saddle bag: one tyre, instant patches, 2 tyre levers, one multitool, R100, PPA card. (I haven't yet broken a chain in my life, and can't figure out how one does. Touch wood that won't happen.)

 

On my bike, one pump. I bought bombs about a year ago but they take up more space/are less convenient than the pump.

 

In my water bottle: Cytomax or 32GI

 

In my pockets: one cellphone, one GU for emergencies, a Woolies pecan nut and date bar or a seed bar, my windproof top (I'm a cold woosie), 2 nicorettes for nagging moments, 1 packet cigarettes and lighter for after-action satisfaction.

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

In my saddle bag: one tyre, instant patches, 2 tyre levers, one multitool, R100, PPA card. (I haven't yet broken a chain in my life, and can't figure out how one does. Touch wood that won't happen.)

 

On my bike, one pump. I bought bombs about a year ago but they take up more space/are less convenient than the pump.

 

In my water bottle: Cytomax or 32GI

 

In my pockets: one cellphone, one GU for emergencies, a Woolies pecan nut and date bar or a seed bar, my windproof top (I'm a cold woosie), 2 nicorettes for nagging moments, 1 packet cigarettes and lighter for after-action satisfaction.

 

HA HA HA........ During you ride, do you get a craving???? Hectic.

I can go 4 hours, not thinking of a smoke onthe bike. Mind you, as soon as I unclip from my pedals, my lungs start screaming at me

[javadude]

I ride with a camelbak on the road. Means I can put my tools in one of those water bottle holders on the bike and I don't have to worry about running out of water. I'm a fat bastard on a steel bike so weight really isn't a concern to me.

[Top Fuel]

I have seen it above but I also carry 2 x latex gloves. In case of blood or if I don't want to get my hands dirty. Just remember if you touch blood you can get whatever that person has.

[capeofstorms]

I have seen it above but I also carry 2 x latex gloves. In case of blood or if I don't want to get my hands dirty. Just remember if you touch blood you can get whatever that person has.

 

 

Top fuel try those thin plastic gloves they use in a bakery or when shop assistants serve you food. Folds up much smaller!!

[LeTurbo]

HA HA HA........ During you ride, do you get a craving???? Hectic.

I can go 4 hours, not thinking of a smoke onthe bike. Mind you, as soon as I unclip from my pedals, my lungs start screaming at me

 

 

4 hours is about my max, but I had to have two cigarettes on my first Argus, at Ocean View and bottom of Chappies. Screwed my times up royally. (PS: Nicorettes are serious doping power for hills!)

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

4 hours is about my max, but I had to have two cigarettes on my first Argus, at Ocean View and bottom of Chappies. Screwed my times up royally. (PS: Nicorettes are serious doping power for hills!)

 

 

I could use that