Showerthought: That time a kid's BMX bike broke at the state fair changed how I pack my kit

I was working the bike valet at the Oregon State Fair in 2018 when a 10 year old's chain snapped right at the gate. All I had was my basic road kit, but his dad pulled a spare half-link master from a keychain tool he carried. Now I always throw a couple of those tiny links in my bag, no matter what kind of bikes I'm expecting. What's the one weird little part you've learned to never leave the shop without?

3 comments

3 Comments

jason5621mo ago

I once had to use a zip tie as a rear derailleur cable for a kid's mountain bike. My shop skills are basically just organized panic at this point.

hunt.jana1mo ago

Did you ever check back to see if the zip tie held up? I mean, that's the kind of temporary fix that either fails in five minutes or outlasts the bike itself.

brian3034h ago

Hold the line with zip ties. They either snap in a mile or last forever.