Essential Tools for Arctic Bikepacking
When it comes to tools, knowing what to pack, on any multi-day trip can be difficult, but when you factor in an extreme environment such as the Arctic, it becomes a whole new challenge.
When packing for an event, It's always good to remember the mantra “Don’t pack your fears”, this reminds you to keep things sensible, but not silly.
It’s easy to catastrophise and begin imagining situations that are so unlikely to transpire, you just have to draw a line in the snow and stop. Otherwise, it would be easy to start an event transporting enough tools to open a mobile bike shop.
Working on your bike when in an event/race can be stressful, especially in a remote location. When you add extreme cold into the equation it makes prior preparation and kit knowledge an essential to tick off on your ‘To do’ list.
Having a basic tool kit and knowing how to use it is essential, you don’t need lots of tools but the ones you use need to be reliable and well maintained.
Tools
- Hollowtech removal tool (or whatever tool your bike needs for crank removal)
- Spoke key
- Large volume pump
- Multi-tool with chain tool (chain tool mostly to act as backup)
- Chain tool (A full size dedicated chain tool is recommended, easier to use in gloves)
- Tubeless repair kit (such as Dynaplug)
- Tyre levers
- Valve core remover tool
- Leatherman (or similar multitool, with pliers)
- 4,5,6mm full size Allen keys (depending on your setup you may want a wider range)
Spares + repairs
- Chain lube (lube designed for low temperatures)
- Inner tubes x 2
- Tubeless sealant
- Gear cable
- Tyre boot
- Tyre sewing kit (medical training sutures work well, they have a super sharp needle and a very strong nylon thread).
- Tubeless Sealant (sub-zero formula such as Stan's or Orange Seal)
- Spare power link for speed of bike
- Spare hanger (make sure this is aligned on your bike before packing)
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around pump)
- Brake pads
- Cable ties (can be used for so many repairs)
- Spare bolts. Can't over state this, but it's worth having a spare bolt for every bolt on your bike. Especially the really unique ones like jockey wheel bolts. Other bolts such as chainring, rotor, bottle cage, seatpost, stem, brake pad retaining bolt also very handy.
- Spare valve cores
Other considerations you might want to think about, how is your bike and the parts on it going to respond to extreme cold e.g. below -20ºC
Brakes- A lot of people opt for cable operated disc brakes when riding in the far north, this cuts out the risk of a potential hydraulic disaster, but also means repair is much easier. Cable operated disc brakes aren't immune from issues though, as cables can still freeze meaning the brakes can stop working. People tend to opt for a full brake outer, with a PTFE coated brake inner.
However, hydraulic disc brakes do work, although at extreme temperatures the seals in the pistons can denature. You can also start to have issues with mineral oil hydraulic brakes (such as Shimano systems) below -20º, as the fluid viscosity increases, meaning the fluid becomes thicker and brake performance can suffer.
DOT fluid (typically found in SRAM systems) is better at maintaining a lower viscosity. However it is Hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture, so it does require more maintenance.
Bearings- Bearings have (at least, should have) grease in them. As standard this is unlikely to be rated to ultra low temperatures. If it isn't, it can become highly viscous and sludge-like, meaning all the bits you want to run smoothly can become stiff and difficult to move, the last thing you need when pedalling!
It is worth taking the time to have a mechanic flush and regrease all your bearings with ultra low temperature grease to make sure all the movey bits, stay moving.
Tubeless Tyres- Tubeless tyre sealant (such as Stan's) as standard will mostly be ok to around -28ºC to around -34ºC, after this temperature it will start to thicken up and become a sludge. Best to check what the rating is for the solution you are using. If in doubt, you can always stick with tubes.
You'll be pleased to know we have the perfect event for you to put all these essential skills to good use, the Fat Bike Weekend Warrior, check it out, it's perfect bucket list material.
Click here for the full mandatory kit list for the Fat Bike Weekend Warrior
