The Rider’s Readiness Guide Part 1 - The Minimalist
There’s nothing worse than being miles from home or deep in the woods when something goes wrong—and realizing you don’t have the tools or supplies to fix it. A simple flat tire, loose bolt, or broken chain can quickly turn a great ride into a long walk or expensive Uber. That’s why preparation matters.
When heading out on the road or trail, the right level of preparedness can mean the difference between a smooth ride and being stranded with a mechanical—or worse, facing a dangerous situation. Carrying too much adds unnecessary weight and wastes energy, while carrying too little can leave you stuck far from help.
Before every ride, ask yourself two key questions: How long or how far am I going? And how remote will I be from civilization or a local bike shop? In this three-part blog series, we’ll break down what to carry based on your ride type and risk tolerance. We’ll cover gear recommendations for the minimalist, the day tripper, and the backcountry long-distance adventurer. Today, we’re starting with the minimalist approach.
The minimalist rider believes in carrying only what’s truly necessary. This approach focuses on staying light, fast, and efficient while still being prepared for the most common on-trail issues. Minimalists prioritize simplicity, choosing compact, multi-purpose tools and just enough supplies to handle flats, minor mechanicals, and basic adjustments.
This style is ideal for shorter rides, familiar routes, and areas close to home or a bike shop. Minimalist riders accept a small level of risk in exchange for freedom of movement and reduced weight, relying on good equipment, solid bike maintenance, and smart route planning. When done right, the minimalist setup keeps pockets and packs light while still providing peace of mind—so you can focus on riding, not carrying gear.
The Saddle Bag – What’s Included
A saddle bag is the most common minimalist setup and works well for most riders.
Typical contents:
Tube
Tire levers
CO₂ inflator and cartridge
Small multi-tool
This setup is ideal for road, gravel, and mountain bikes. With modern bike and wheel systems, most wheels require a hex wrench for removal and installation, making a small multi-tool an essential part of any saddle bag kit.
The Frame Wrap – What’s Included
A frame wrap offers an ultra-light, low-profile option for riders who want to carry only the basics.
Typical contents:
Tube
Tire levers
CO₂ inflator and cartridge
Small multi-tool (optional in the wrap)
This setup works best for mountain bikes and gravel bikes, especially when the rider already carries a multi-tool elsewhere on the bike or on their body. Frame wraps keep gear secure and silent while maintaining a clean, uncluttered bike setup. Since most modern mountain bikes have dropper seat-posts, a saddle bag can interfere with the rear tire or be exposed to excessive mud or dirt making the tool wrap the best choice for that those bikes.
A typical frame wrap and it’s minimalist contents
A compact saddle bag and it’s contents
Stay tuned for nexts week blog which will cover the day tripper and what we carry.
