Going bikepacking means accepting a little bit of the unexpected. A path that wasn't really a path, weather that differed from the forecast… or a mechanical problem 40 km from the nearest bike shop.
You don't need to become a mechanic to travel by bike. But there are a few simple repairs that every cyclist should know how to perform before setting off.
Here are 5 things to learn before your next gravel or bikepacking adventure.
1. Fixing a flat tire
It’s the basics.
Even with excellent tires and a tubeless setup, a flat remains possible.
You should know how to remove a wheel, take off the tire, install an inner tube, and put everything back together correctly.
If you ride tubeless, also learn how to use a plug to fix a puncture that the sealant cannot seal.
Quick tip: do it once calmly at home.
The first attempt is much less fun in the rain, on the side of a path, and with 2% battery left on your phone.
2. Putting a chain back on… and fixing a broken link
A chain that slips off is usually not a tragedy.
A chain that breaks in the middle of nowhere, a bit more so.
To go bikepacking, we recommend bringing a chain tool compatible with your drivetrain and a master link.
But above all: learn how to use them.
A master link weighs a few grams and takes up almost zero space. Yet, it can make the difference between continuing your trip and looking for a train station.
3. Quickly adjusting a derailleur
You don't need to know how to rebuild a Shimano or SRAM drivetrain on the side of a trail.
On the other hand, it is useful to understand how your derailleur works.
After a fall, train transport, or simply a few kilometers on difficult terrain, the gears might start shifting less smoothly.
Knowing how to perform a minor cable tension adjustment or recognize a bent derailleur hanger already helps prevent turning a small problem into a major breakdown.
And above all: if something is visibly bent, do not force the gears.
4. Adjusting your brakes
A disc that rubs slightly is annoying.
Completely worn brake pads in the middle of a trip are much more problematic.
Before leaving, learn to check the wear of your pads, to recognize a rubbing disc and, ideally, to replace a set of pads.
On a long trip or a route with a lot of elevation gain, carrying a spare pair of pads can be a very good idea.
They are small, light, and much easier to transport than a full workshop.
5. Tightening what starts to move
A bikepacking trip often means more vibrations than a standard ride.
Bags, bottle cages, saddle, stem, accessories… after several hours on trails, something may end up coming loose.
A small multitool with the right Allen and Torx keys for your bike is therefore essential.
But be careful: tightening more is not always better.
On some components — particularly carbon ones — respecting the tightening torque is essential.
The real advice: know your own bike
You don't need to know how to fix everything.
What matters before a trip is knowing your bike.
Which inner tube matches your tires? Which valve do you use? Which master link is compatible with your chain? Which Allen or Torx bits do you need? Do your wheels require a special tool to be removed?
Preparing your repair kit according to your own bike is much smarter than carrying fifteen tools "just in case."
And before a big adventure, do a very simple test:
try to remove a wheel and fix a flat tire using only the tools you plan to carry.
You will immediately discover if something is missing.
And before you leave: have your bike checked
Knowing how to repair your bike is useful.
Leaving with a bike that doesn't need to be repaired is even better.
Before a gravel or bikepacking trip, remember to check the tires, the tubeless, the chain, the drivetrain, the pads, the discs, the wheels, the bearings, and the various bolts.
If you are planning an adventure and have any doubts, come by the Routes&Roads workshop in Paris 13.
We can check your bike before your departure, perform necessary adjustments, and help you prepare a small repair kit adapted to your setup.
And if you don't yet know how to change an inner tube or use a master link, let us know.
These are exactly the little things that are better to learn before finding yourself alone in the middle of a path.
In bikepacking, you can't foresee every adventure. But you can prepare your bike for them.
