Cycling Essentials

The stuff I always have in my saddle bag or at home. These are my personal go-tos after years of riding road and gravel in Switzerland. Every item has earned its place.

Saddle Bag

What I carry on every ride

SILCA Mattone Saddle Bag

Waterproof, strap-secured, fits everything you need without bouncing. The only saddle bag I trust on rough gravel.

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Multi-tool

Compact stainless steel multi-tool with all the hex keys and screwdrivers you need for trailside adjustments. Comes with a neoprene pouch.

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CYCPLUS Electric Mini Pump

Tiny electric pump with pressure gauge and automatic shut-off. No more arm workout on the side of the road. Just set the pressure and let it go.

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CO2 Cartridges

Threaded 16g CO2 cartridges. Quick inflation when you need to get rolling fast. I keep two in my saddle bag as backup.

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TPU Inner Tubes (700c)

Ultra-light TPU tubes with Presta valve. Half the weight and pack size of butyl. Perfect as a tubeless backup that barely takes up space.

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Tyre Levers

Alphatrail Oscar tyre levers. Strong, lightweight, and they actually work without pinching the tube. Three-pack fits in any saddle bag.

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Ass Saver Mudguard

Foldable clip-on mudguard that fits under the saddle. Weighs nothing, saves your back from spray. Essential for Swiss weather.

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On the Bike

Bags and transport

Rhinowalk Top Tube Bag

Magnetic waterproof top tube bag. Quick access for phone, snacks, or cards. Stays put even on rough gravel.

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TranZbag Bike Transport Bag

Foldable bike bag for trains and public transport. Fits as a shoulder pouch when not in use. A must for Swiss train rides with your bike.

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Home Mechanic

The basics for your workspace

CXWXC Bike Repair Stand

Adjustable aluminium repair stand that folds flat. Makes cleaning, adjustments, and repairs so much easier than flipping the bike upside down.

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Muc-Off Chain Lube

All-weather chain lube. Great if you're not waxing yet. Easy to apply, lasts well in Swiss rain, and keeps things quiet.

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Chain Waxing & Tubeless

My go-to setup

Why I wax my chain

I switched to chain waxing a while ago and never looked back. No more dirty hands, no grease marks on your calves, no black gunk building up on your drivetrain. A waxed chain runs quieter, lasts longer, and keeps everything cleaner. It takes a bit of setup at home, but once you're in the routine it's actually less work than regular lubing.

Why I ride tubeless

Tubeless means fewer flats, lower rolling resistance, and the ability to run lower pressure for better grip on gravel. The sealant handles small punctures before you even notice them. I always carry a TPU tube as backup, but I rarely need it. That said, as Nina mentioned in the workshop: tubeless can also be a hassle sometimes. Sealant dries out, beads can be stubborn, and not every tyre/rim combo plays nice. It's a personal choice, and running good tubes is absolutely fine too.

SILCA Super Secret Chain Wax

The drip-on wax I use between full hot wax treatments. Clean application, long lasting, no dirty hands. Ever.

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RideFlare Premium Chain Wax

Hot melt wax for the full immersion treatment. 500g bag lasts ages. Melt it in a slow cooker, dip the chain, done. Clean drivetrain for 300+ km.

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SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant

The best tubeless sealant I've tried. Seals fast, lasts long, doesn't dry out into clumps. Works for both road and gravel tyre sizes.

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