7 Bike Hacks for When in a Pinch

There’s no better feeling smart, and you feel smart when you are prepared. These simple bike hacks might save your bacon when you need your bacon saved the most.

1. Spoke wrench as a valve core remover

Have you ever forgotten to bring a valve core remover or had to fiddle with pliers to replenish your tubeless tires?

Once at a hotel room, getting my bike ready for a bikepacking trip, I found myself having to improvise to remove the valve core on my wheels to add some more sealant. At that time, I was determined to not break the bead seal on my tires. I started trying different things and realized the #3 spoke wrench tool on my multi-tool fitted just right around a Presta valve core. As an added benefit, the spoke wrench provides a lot more leverage than the valve core remover tool. Because of this, I have chosen to leave the specialized tool behind on all my trips.

2. Zip ties to the rescue

I always carry different sizes of zip ties as they can serve many different purposes. I have McGyvered a broken rear rack together that was arguably sturdier than when new. It is also possible to daisy-chain multiple zip ties together to make one long zip tie. I have used this method many times to secure disassembled bike parts and put them in a bike box, preventing loose parts from hitting each other or the bike frame. Have you ever had a zipper pull break on you? Just replace it with a zip tie.

Since zip ties can be easily removable, you can also use them as temporary solutions. Some train companies require you to attach a reservation ticket to your bike. Easy! Zip tie it.

3. Emergency money is like free money

Well, not really. Arguably, this bike hack is applicable to any circumstance in life. Do you know when you find that $20 bill in your jacket pocket that you last wore a year ago? Isn’t it nice? Now, imagine doing it on purpose and stashing some moola on your bike so you can find it later when you most need it. You will certainly feel smug when you need the extra cash.

There are many ways to hide money in your bike: Inside the handlebar or seat tube, rolled up with a patch kit, in a saddle bag, in a secret frame bag pocket, GPS case, etc. There are just as many ways to need the money you stashed away. For instance, I forgot to bring extra cash on an overnighter trip and if it wasn’t for the extra money I had in my top tube bag, I wouldn’t have been able to pay for extra ales at the local cash-only bar.

4. Extra tape for unraveling times

This bike hack is a new take on a photography hack. Photographers usually carry gaffer tape rolled on a tripod leg. Instead of carrying gaffer tape, cyclists can roll a few winds of electrical tape on a mini pump or any other cylindrical object. Electrical tape is very strong, flexible, resistant to heat, and can get you out of a serious bind. I prefer electrical tape over other types of tape (like duct tape) because it doesn’t leave any – or barely any – glue residue when removed.

5. Nail clippers to groom your bike

I either carry nail clippers with me or buy one locally when I need it. You can use it to trim the end of zip ties or to remove a zip tie altogether. I tend to like the nail clippers that have a curved cutting surface. The curved edge gives a cleaner cut on zip ties, leaving a more rounded edge. Sharp zip tie ends can snag your clothes and prick/cut your skin.

6. Self-adhesive hook and loop is the new zip tie

Self-adhesive hook and loop (aka OneWrap Velcro) is not as cheap as electrical tape but it has some advantages over the more permanent solution: It’s easy to remove and reusable.

7. Nail polish to aid your bike fit

Nail polish is a semi-permanent solution to common bike fit problems. After I get my bikes dialed in, I like them to stay that way. This is especially true when I’m traveling somewhere and I have to reassemble my bike. Is this the right angle for my drop bars? Did I get the seatpost measurements right?

To avoid second-guessing myself, I mark the important measurements with a dab of nail polish. Some people use sharp objects to gently mar the spot but this poses a challenge if you later decide to move that sweet spot a few millimeters away – no way to erase the mark. I prefer to use nail polish since it’s removable and you can even use different colors for different bikes if you use the same component on multiple bikes.

Many more bikepacking hacks

Leave a comment below if there’s a bikepacking hack that saved you from being in a serious pinch.