What Spare Parts do I Bring on a TDA Cycling Tour?

The length of the tour and how remote and far out the adventure takes you will determine how many spare parts you need. For all the cycling tours, we recommend starting with a brand new drivetrain – meaning the chain, cassette and chainrings are brand new or have had less than 1000km on them. This list is based on that assumption. Registered riders will receive a detailed packing list with the spare parts recommended for that specific tour. The list below is a less detailed sample to give you a general idea.

Sample Spare Parts List

• 2 – 4 sets of brake pads
• 3 – 5 spare tubes
• 1 – 2 patch kit
• 1 – 2 tires
• 1 chain
• 1 replaceable derailleur hanger
• 1 front thru axle skewer
• 1 brake and 1 derailleur cable with appropriate housing and ends
• 2 spokes in each length needed for your bike
• 1 set of cleats with bolts (if using clip-in pedals)

Less is sometimes more – TDA’s approach to spare parts

It’s not possible to bring a spare part for every piece of your bike and so our suggested spares include the items most likely to need replacing during your tour. If another part breaks, we do our best to find a solution. Our mechanics are very resourceful and you will be surprised what they are able to do to repair the parts or invent a solution with the tools and materials available to them. Or if you use up all of your brake pads (for example), there is a good chance that someone else in the group will have one you can buy or borrow. But if a solution isn’t found we can also assist you in having something delivered or brought to you during the tour. There is always a solution one way or another.

TDAs approach to spare parts is to bring with you some of the most likely needed spares, and nothing more so that we keep the overall weight and volume of equipment that we collectively carry throughout the tour to a reasonable level.

What about tubeless?

We wrote this blog all about tubeless systems as it is becoming a very common question we get now. If you are using tubeless tires (and we only suggest this if you have a lot of experience servicing them), you need to read the blog first.

Even if you are running tubeless, you still need to bring 2-3 spare tubes and a patch kit as a backup if the tubeless fails.

If you are currently using tires and tubes and wondering if you should consider changing to a tubeless system before your tour, don’t! While tubeless systems have some advantages, these tours are not the place to try it out your first time. If in doubt, keep things simple and use tubes.

Replaceable derailleur hangers

Replaceable derailleur hangers are a part that connects your derailleur to the bike frame. Because these are different for almost every bike model, you need to bring a spare with you on any of our tours as finding a replacement may not be possible locally. Some bike frames have a non-replaceable derailleur hanger, in which case you don’t need to bring a spare.

Thru Axles

A thru axle, instead of a quick release skewer is becoming a more common way that the wheel is held in place on the bike. Like the derailleur hanger, these are small and hard to replace while on a tour, so we recommend bringing a spare for at least the front wheel in case your thru axle is lost or damaged. If your bike uses quick release skewers and not a thru axle, you do not need to bring spares as they are very standard and common.

Electronic Drivetrains

If your bike has an electronic drivetrain, make sure you have what you need to keep it running. For Shimano Di2, make sure you have packed the charging cable, and have a portable power bank you can use whenever you don’t have access to a conveniently located electrical outlet. For SRAM AXS, make sure you have the charger, and bring one or two spare batteries, as they are small and easy to lose.

What tools to bring

Every TDA tour has a full time bicycle mechanic that travels with the tour. This mechanic has a full tool kit to repair the majority of problems that riders encounter during the tour. But you need to carry a small kit with you on the bike, in the event that you have a minor mechanical problem on the roadside – such as a broken chain or a flat tire. There are also a few other tools to keep in your duffel bag that you will need to maintain your bike.

To carry on your bike

• Multi-tool
• Mini-pump
• Tire levers
• 1 spare tube
• 1 patch kit

To keep in your duffel bag

• Gear brush / tooth brush
• 1 small bottle of degreaser
• 1 small bottle of chain lube
• Rags

Do you have other small items (handy spares or compact tools) you always carry with you on a bike tour? Tell us about those in the comments below.