To take or not to take, thats the question...

[ElsieE]

Hi Guys,

I'm collecting my stuff before I leave for Asia from March.
I hear different stories about what you must / can take with you. I find it difficult to make choices.
Some threads already mention which luxury choices you have to make or want to make.
There are two luxury items (are they?) That I struggle with and I would like some advice.

What do you think of taking a (mini) tire inflator and what about a voltmeter?
Is it worth or really nonsense?

[mika]

tyre inflator (mini): YES, but you need to know how to fix the puncture before using it ...

voltmeter: NO

just my 2p worth of advise after I dont know how many years on the road.

all the best for your journey.

saludos
mika

[othalan]

Depends.

If you are buying a local bike and intend to rely on local mechanics for repairs, don't bring either.

But both can be invaluable to do repairs yourself if you know how to use them.

Bring the pump only if you intend to repair your own flat tires, not just in case.

Bring the volt meter only if you know how to use it for solving electrical problems. If you bring one, go for the smallest and cheapest you can find, you don't need more than that.

I carry both and view them as critical supplies (nothing luxury about them), but I also handle all repairs myself and know electrical systems.

[ElsieE]

Thank you both for the advise. That's really helpfull!
I will change the tires myself, but i will not do anything with the electricity. Simply because I do not know anything about it.
So the Voltmeter will be ditched

[markharf]

I carry both.

I'm no electrical whiz, but it's nice to be able to test fuses, circuits, wires, switches, and all you really need to do so is a few bits of common sense. A tester can also tell you whether your battery is dying, plus more along those lines. You want to learn, or stick with what you already know? Not all travel is strictly geographical.

You need some means of inflating a tire. In fact, I'd say you need TWO means of inflating a tire, but that's because I've had both hand pumps and electrical inflators die on me. Tires go flat due to punctures, rotted tubes, rusty rims, bad valve cores...and all require re-inflation. I (once) had the sad experience of pushing my loaded bike with its flat tire for a mile or so, and I'd like to not repeat. On the other hand, I've also had the experience of a tire suddenly going flat right across the street from a tire repair guy--handy, but somewhat suspicious.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark