You can pack a garage full of tools, but out on the trail?
Nothing — and we mean nothing — beats the humble zip tie.
The Problem:
Your bike decides it wants to rattle itself apart mid-ride. Loose fenders, flopping cables, sagging exhausts, snapped levers — you name it. You’re miles from the truck, sweating like a busted radiator, and your “tool kit” is starting to feel a little thin.
The Fix:
Enter: The Mighty Zip Tie.
Small, light, cheap, and strong enough to wrestle a stubborn cactus into submission.
Here’s what they can fix in a pinch:
- Broken or bent levers (zip-tie a shorty lever in place to get home)
- Exhaust brackets rattling loose
- Dangling brake lines or cables
- Torn gear bags, fender bags, backpacks
- Rear fender flapping like a broken wing
- Even splinting a cracked sub-frame if you’re desperate enough (ask Conehead…)
Real World Trail Hack:
Smart riders (and those of us who have limped too many miles back to staging areas) stash zip ties in multiple spots:
- Stuff a few inside your fender bag or tool pouch
- Sneak a few inside your butt pack or hydration pack
- Even zip-tie a few to your frame so you always have backups ready to yank off and use
Pro Tip: If you snap your clutch lever and didn’t pack a spare, zip tie an 8mm wrench to cable and mount it to the perch and keep riding. Not pretty. But way better than walking.
Pack Checklist Add-On:
- 8″ and 12″ heavy-duty zip ties
- A few tiny ones too for cables and small fixes
- (Optional: a small sharp blade or cutter tucked away to trim them clean if you’re fancy)
Final Thought:
Zip ties aren’t just a tool — they’re a survival strategy.
When something breaks, you can either push your bike out… or zip-tie your way back to glory (and tacos).
Choose wisely.
