First, I researched. I looked at Amazon’s top-rated products and their user reviews. Then I consulted Bicycling magazine, Gear Junkie, Bike Radar, Outside, and the occasional bit by Lennard Zinn via the old VeloNews. I also found some worthwhile discussions at Bike Forums. Then I spoke with four experts, Ramona Marks, Scott Karoly, Cari Z, and Alison Tetrick, riders from all across the spectrum, who tour, repair, and race.

Based on what we found, we chose the most relevant items and used them all. To test patches, I repaired holes using four different types of patches, from Novara (REI’s now-discontinued house brand), Park Tool, and Rema. Patching a tube isn’t hard but there are a few tricks, and the key was attention to detail and patience. I was extremely diligent in following proper patch procedure, which includes a thorough sanding of the entire area to be patched (for max stickiness) and properly letting the vulcanizer dry on both surfaces before applying. For the peel-and-stick patches, I went so far as to prep the area with canned air to ensure as tight a seal as we could possibly muster.

I tested four popular levers, including the Crankbrothers Speedier Lever, a Quik Stik, Pedro’s, and the ubiquitous blue Park Tool. We changed four different types of tires (mountain, hybrid, road, and track) with four different psi levels (40, 60, 90, 110) and watched how each performed.

I chose to test these four levers after eliminating everything out there that’s not appropriate for a roadside emergency kit. That includes metal levers. They’re durable, but according to touring cyclist Ramona Marks, “Metal tire levers are trouble. It’s possible to rip your tube even with the plastic ones if you’re not careful, so metal is out of the question, and you don’t want to put pressure against the wheel rim with a metal lever.” If you do, you’re asking for a bent rim, which means buying a new wheel.

We also eliminated metal-core levers, which are metal levers with a plastic outside coating. I eliminated everything that looked cheap, bendable, or breakable. I also eliminated long, large single levers that would be more comfortable sitting on your at-home tool bench and difficult to carry on a ride.

We bumped a lot of product out of the test pool for hand pumps, too. You don’t need a lot of specialized design when it comes to a hand pump, so we set aside carbon models, for instance. We also didn’t consider CO2 cartridges for this guide, though I’m 100 percent aware that there are commuters who use and love them.

First, carbon. You already know you don’t need it for your casual weekend pursuits, because you’re not counting ounces the way a professional road racer would. But to quote a years-old article from the late, lamented VeloNews, “Remember that professional athletes operate in an entirely different environment than the rest of us. They are all very close to each other in terms of fitness, and they are also all very close to being the absolute best a human being can be. In short, you’re much better off upgrading your legs and dropping body fat through proper training and diet.”

As a tester and editor subjected to a relentless onslaught of press releases highlighting the benefits of new, lightweight, (and expensive) gear, this reverse sentiment delighted me. It’s honest, and accurate.

In the original iteration of this guide, I tested 12 pumps and inflated three different tires completely full to their psi rating, and measured how many pumps it took. That’s 36 tires, and I can guarantee there is no difference between 50 pumps and 100 — it’s all terrible.

Finally, comparing seat bags was fun. The identical construction of every model revealed itself immediately. That always feels like a win. Then we used them: attached them all to the bike, inspected them for nefarious Velcro, and vetted basic usability to determine the best option.

First, I researched. I looked at Amazon’s top-rated products and their user reviews. Then I consulted Bicycling magazine, Gear Junkie, Bike Radar, Outside, and the occasional bit by Lennard Zinn via the old VeloNews. I also found some worthwhile discussions at Bike Forums. Then I spoke with four experts, Ramona Marks, Scott Karoly, Cari Z, and Alison Tetrick, riders from all across the spectrum, who tour, repair, and race.

Based on what we found, we chose the most relevant items and used them all. To test patches, I repaired holes using four different types of patches, from Novara (REI’s now-discontinued house brand), Park Tool, and Rema. Patching a tube isn’t hard but there are a few tricks, and the key was attention to detail and patience. I was extremely diligent in following proper patch procedure, which includes a thorough sanding of the entire area to be patched (for max stickiness) and properly letting the vulcanizer dry on both surfaces before applying. For the peel-and-stick patches, I went so far as to prep the area with canned air to ensure as tight a seal as we could possibly muster.

I tested four popular levers, including the Crankbrothers Speedier Lever, a Quik Stik, Pedro’s, and the ubiquitous blue Park Tool. We changed four different types of tires (mountain, hybrid, road, and track) with four different psi levels (40, 60, 90, 110) and watched how each performed.

I chose to test these four levers after eliminating everything out there that’s not appropriate for a roadside emergency kit. That includes metal levers. They’re durable, but according to touring cyclist Ramona Marks, “Metal tire levers are trouble. It’s possible to rip your tube even with the plastic ones if you’re not careful, so metal is out of the question, and you don’t want to put pressure against the wheel rim with a metal lever.” If you do, you’re asking for a bent rim, which means buying a new wheel.

We also eliminated metal-core levers, which are metal levers with a plastic outside coating. I eliminated everything that looked cheap, bendable, or breakable. I also eliminated long, large single levers that would be more comfortable sitting on your at-home tool bench and difficult to carry on a ride.

We bumped a lot of product out of the test pool for hand pumps, too. You don’t need a lot of specialized design when it comes to a hand pump, so we set aside carbon models, for instance. We also didn’t consider CO2 cartridges for this guide, though I’m 100 percent aware that there are commuters who use and love them.

First, carbon. You already know you don’t need it for your casual weekend pursuits, because you’re not counting ounces the way a professional road racer would. But to quote a years-old article from the late, lamented VeloNews, “Remember that professional athletes operate in an entirely different environment than the rest of us. They are all very close to each other in terms of fitness, and they are also all very close to being the absolute best a human being can be. In short, you’re much better off upgrading your legs and dropping body fat through proper training and diet.”

As a tester and editor subjected to a relentless onslaught of press releases highlighting the benefits of new, lightweight, (and expensive) gear, this reverse sentiment delighted me. It’s honest, and accurate.

In the original iteration of this guide, I tested 12 pumps and inflated three different tires completely full to their psi rating, and measured how many pumps it took. That’s 36 tires, and I can guarantee there is no difference between 50 pumps and 100 — it’s all terrible.

Finally, comparing seat bags was fun. The identical construction of every model revealed itself immediately. That always feels like a win. Then we used them: attached them all to the bike, inspected them for nefarious Velcro, and vetted basic usability to determine the best option.