Pump or CO2 Canister
A pump seems like one of the most obvious, “i can’t believe you left the house cycling without one of those” items that hardly anyone seems to carry these days.
There are plenty of good lightweight mini pumps on the market these days but keep an eye for one that has a two-way action i.e. will pump the tyre when the pump is being plunged or pulled. This makes for much quicker inflation.
Another option is a CO2 Canister, which are mainly used by the road racing community. These contain compressed 
CO2 which then inflates tyres via a valve adapter. These are very quick to use due to the high pressure of between 80-120 psi - most mini-pumps take a fair amount of effort to reach 65psi. Always make sure you have enough gas in your canister!
Experts Tip: Pedal Head recommend a pump that has a fold-out foot stand and handle as well as flexible hose. This allows you to achieve a convenient position to inflate the tyre. Overall making it an easier job and will certainly help when trying to reach those higher end road pressures. It also stops you accidently applying too much side flex to the valve or you risk tearing the valve away from the tube and then you are in trouble – you did pack that spare tube didn’t you?
Back to the essential tool kit list
SRAM Links
These little slices of genius allow you to link a chain back together and then take them apart at anytime. When closed, they are actually stronger than a standard link.
Use the tool to remove the remains of the broken link that snapped and then rejoin using the SRAM links. Essentially making a very fiddly job extremely simple.When your hands are covered in grease from handling the chain and its raining and you are trying to line-up a small pin and use the chain tool to get your chain back in piece you will trade the world for a Powerlink!
Back to the essential tool kit list
Puncture Repair Kit
Puncture repair kit. The Pedal-Head favourite is the Park Tools Glueless Patch Kit. It's very small and compact, it has a small piece of sand paper to prepare the area around the hole and some instant peel-and-place patches. Smooth on and job done, gone are the days of tubes of glue and waiting for it to go tacky first.
Back to the essential tool kit list
Spare Inner Tube 
When out riding it's generally best to get back on the road or trail again as quickly as possible, swap in the spare tube and fix the punctured one at home.
Remember! Always toughly check the inside of the tyre for any sign of what caused you puncture in the first place.
If there is a piece of glass or a thorn in the tyre wall, then remove it completely. A more severe puncture such as a Pinch flat or an actual gash in the tube itself will mean no matter how creative you get with a puncture repair kit you will need to swap in the spare tube.
Top Tip: Fix the broken tube as soon as possible so you can have it ready to be the spare.
Back to the essential tool kit list
Multi Tool
Another essential item is the multi-tool. In theory every nut, Hex key or screw that you may need to move should be covered by this tool. The exception would be the ones needed to remove crank or cassette.
Back to the essential tool kit list
Tyre Levers 
You should only need two tyre levers to remove a tyre, and generally the plastic / nylon ones are the best - one to get started and the other just to slide under and then around the rim of the wheel.
Road tyres tend to be tighter fitting in general and it pays to not get the cheapest as they can be quite flexible, there is nothing like a snapped tyre at the wrong moment to destroy your biking Zen.
If they wont go, don't force them, make sure you have all the air out of the tyre and then start to kneed the tyre around the rim staring at the top and working around both sides. This should slightly stretch the tyre and help you create an opening to use the levers.
Back to the essential tool kit list
Tool Bag
You need a tool bag that all of your kit will fit in (except maybe the pump), then you can be sure not to be caught out when on the road. If you are going to hang your tool bag on your bike (e.g under the seat) then here at Pedal Head we recommend you getting one that is waterproof. Soggy and damp puncture repair patches and rusty multi tools tend to be more of a hindrance!
Top Tip: Use a couple of clear re-sealable sandwich bags to keep all of your bit organised will reduce the chances of you losing anything.
Back to the essential tool kit list
Zip Ties
Zip Ties are cheap, extremely light weight but most of all strong and versatile. At the heart of many a creative emergency repair job a zip tie or two has been a lifesaver.
Back to the essential tool kit list