Any serious cyclist carries a chain link tool for fixing a broken chain, along with a couple of spare inner tubes. Breaking a link doesn't happen often, and you'd typically not let a chain get so old that it happens from age; that will trash the sprockets. I've had breakage happen, though, and was glad to be able to get going again, in minutes.
Since you can't fix a broken string just by removing a link and closing it, the only protection against string breakage is to carry a full spare.
> Any serious cyclist carries a chain link tool for fixing a broken chain
Your definition of "serious cyclist" excludes a lot of serious cyclists. Precisely because it happens so rarely, carrying a bulky tool for a rare problem isn't worth it to everyone.
Yeah "serious cyclist" feels so impossible to define that it's meaningless. If I ride to work every day but go to a shop for maintenance instead of buying my own tools am I not serious?
Go to a shop to fix the problem, but have the basic tools and knowledge to make the temporary repairs needed to be able to ride the bike home or the shop.
Not really; a serious cyclist is someone who depends on and is invested in cycling as a mode of transport, who is not able to meet commitments if their bike breaks down without an real-time remedy.
So... no one within range of being able to catch a bus is a serious cyclist because they have an out? No one who can call a friend for a ride can be serious about cycling? I don't think this is typically what people would mean by that phrase.
Yes; if you go out thinking, "I don't have to care about the condition of my bike or what to do if it breaks down because there are bus routes along the way, or I can call a friend," then you're not a serious cyclist.
Using your logic, I must not be a serious driver because I don't drive with the equipment necessary to repair my car. Or my bike, when I am riding. Or my e-bike when I am riding that.
Folks who are serious about any hobby or activity are also often relentlessly practical. I used to ride 100km from the city I lived in, out to my brothers farm. It was not a particularly long or challenging ride, and it had cell service most of the way, even 20 years ago. I always did a gear check, and carried spare tires, but in 4 years of doing that 20-30 times per year, I replaced tires, but never a chain on that ride. I also never carried the tools to do that work because it fell into the category of unnecessary gear. If there was a problem, I was only about a 30 minute wait for help from either side if I needed to be picked up.
I also used to do a fair bit of trail riding, and for a much longer period of time, and for significantly technical trails. Again, a gear check ahead of time, and proper maintenance meant I took tubes, but not the chain repair tools (and one time I regretted not taking 4 tubes, because it was a long and hot 14km hike back carrying my bike on a July afternoon).
I am not going to gatekeep your ability to gatekeep, but you should at least understand that your perspective on what constitutes a "serious" cyclist is completely subjective and not rooted in anything meaningful.
Pretend instead of “serious” they said “frobnozz”. You’re not a frobnozz cyclist unless you can do a handstand on your handlebars! How absolutely un-frobnozz can you get??
There’s a tendency to ascribe value to words like “serious” but it’s a temptation, nothing more. Who cares that some bozo thinks “serious” drivers drive manual transmission cars, or ride bikes in a particular way.
I imagine serious cyclists also carry spare spokes, spare brake pads, spare derailleur hangers, spare bearings, spare cables, spare tyres, lubricant, assembly grease, spare batteries, spanner for truing bent components, hydraulic fluid (if using disc brakes), spare helmet in event of crash, etc.
The worst mechanical I ever had was a rear derailleur which deformed under load and pulled into wheel. I have never heard of anyone carrying a complete spare derailleur unless on a round the world trip.
That's cool. My multitool doesn't have one and my home tool is much, much larger[1] (160 x 100 x 22mm, 242g). I guess if I were buying a new multitool today, I'd try to get one with a chain tool included, but I also don't feel a pressing need to carry one. I've never broken a chain while riding, nor do I know anyone who has broken a chain, and I ride with a lot of cyclists putting out 600-1000W in sprints.
I'm not a "serious cyclist", I just cycle on bike trails - but a chain link tool and a couple of spare links is just miniscule. If I need to make that fix when I'm in the countryside 15 miles away from my car then not having that option just isn't sensible.
My chain tool weighs 28 grams, and can fit 3 chain tools in a box for a deck of cards. It is the most common form factor for this tool. I wouldn't consider it bulky- are you very small?
Right; I've never met anyone who carries an entire spare chain. It would not even slightly make sense.
If you put a new chain on old sprockets, it will likely skip, particularly on the rear cassette. This will go double if you're someone who allowed the chain to wear for so long that it just broke. That chain will only work with the sprockets that it is on and vice versa.
If you damaged a newer chain due to some freak accident (like cross chaining while shifting under load or something: shouldn't happen on a quality, well adjusted drive train) you probably don't want to replace it; aside from the bent/broken link, it is good. Splice the damaged link out and get moving.
Swapping in a new chain could be extra work. It likely has excess links which you have to remove and set aside, and may have stuck links that have to be identified and massaged into releasing.
I just have a couple powerlinks in my bag when riding, which take very little space. It is also unlikely to have a chain break while riding, however having a chain breaker tool and spare links comes in handy if your rear derailleur gives up the ghost (due to a fall etc), as in that case you can bypass it entirely with a shortened chain.
Mountain biker chiming in: have broken chains, friends have broken chains. It’s not a common occurrence, but basically ever has a chain breaker and spare links in their bags. MTB also admittedly puts a lot of components under far more wear and tear than other disciplines.
For MTB especially, it’s not the fact that there’s probably better drivetrain options, but the fact that the current options will happily take a beating, and still let you ride back out. I’m sure the string is real nice and quiet, and has a nice internal hub, but my chain, mech and cassette will get whipped into trees and rocks, will have sand, water, grit ground through it for ~20kms, sustain impacts from going off drops and jumps and they’ll continue to work. I’ve bent mechs, hangers, dinged cassettes, ground chainrings, and they’ll put up with an astounding amount and still get you home.
Once home the ease of access make maintenance a lot simpler, everything gets a clean and lube and it’s happy to go again.
I've been cycling for 50 years. When I got a job where I could start riding to work, I carried an inordinate amount of stuff, including full rain gear, all the time. Gradually, I started leaving most of it behind. The reason was that I developed a better sense of the actual risks of breakdown, and the resources at my disposal should something happen, based strictly on my own circumstances. This is also kind of how I live my life.
The people I know who've had breakdowns tend to be physically a lot stronger than me, and more "adventuresome" in their choice of riding conditions. For instance I expect my mountain biking friend to have a new story of destruction every few weeks. In some cases, I suspect that neglect or lack of maintenance skills played a role.
I bring more spares and stuff when I go on really long rides, or if my family travels to some remote place with the bikes.
"Serious" cyclists are often using newer chains like those from SRAM. Many of these newer ones don't use spare links, you'd carry a quick link and remove a portion of the chain to get yourself riding again.
Small distinction I agree, but you come off a little arrogant with such a strongly worded statement.
Cycling is essentially the only mode of transportation that I use but I never carry any spare parts or tools with me. Not even a pump. The only tool I carry is some cash and a credit card.
There's a spare string provided in the seatpost; claims to take 10 minutes to replace and no tools required.
But as with all riding, it depends on use-case. For remote cycling, you'll be carrying more spares than commuting, where worst-case you can walk the bike home.
Since you can't fix a broken string just by removing a link and closing it, the only protection against string breakage is to carry a full spare.