For rim brakes, check cable and cable-sleeves. Replace if necessary. If you're riding disc brakes, check the hydraulics (air in the system) or let it check by a professional bike shop. If air enters the system, the braking force decreases considerably on long passages and you will not find a pressure point. For electronic gearshift Shimano DI2, Sram e-Tap, bring a spare battery and, if necessary, a charger and international plug.

Bring 1-2 spare pairs of your prefered brake pads, or at least the recommended brake pads at rim brake use.Bring 1-2 spare pairs of brake pads for disc brakes of your own brake, please measure the diameter (140mm or 160mm). For brake pads check if you're riding Shimano, Sram, metal or organic? According to preference. As good as new brake pads have about 2.45mm pads on them. At the beginning of the tour it should not be less than 1.2 mm. An autum gravel tour might be challenging for brakes and its pads: rain, mud, dust will scrap away the pads faster.

Make sure that the sidewalls of the tyres are intact. Check that there are no broken pieces or sharp stones in the tyre. Each tyre has markings on the tread: Is there enough rubber left on them?At Continental these are small round indentations, at Schwalbe check whether tread grooves are still visible.

Check the weather forecast and adapt the tyre profile as needed. Rainy weather will lead to deeper and more muddier ground and will need a more knobby profile.

– Check the tubeless tape for damage. Permanent use and high pressure can cause holes in the spokes - therefore replace the tape if it is deformed.

– Check that the tubeless valve runs smoothly and is not stuck. Take a replacement tubeless valve of the correct length with you.

– Check the quantity of tubeless milk; refill if necessary.

– Check whether the tubeless milk is still fluid.

In any case, the tubeless milk should be replaced every 6 months! Take enough spare tubes for irreparable tubeless defects. Note the valve length (especially for high profile rims), alternatively pack valve extensions.

We recommend at least 6 pairs of spare tubes.

Take a spare drop-out with you for your frame. Can be damaged during transport and the ride (in case falling and/or slipping away in climbs). Make sure that you have packed your bike really securely!

Check that all teeth of your cassette are present and straight (shouldn’t look like shark teeth). Easy, right?

Check that all chain links are still functioning properly and are correctly locked. If a new chain has already been fitted at home, please do a test drive to check that everything runs/shifts smoothly.

If necessary take the (manufacturer-specific) chain lock with you.

Remember - Each bike has different screws, ie. Torx 10,15,20,25,30, hexagon.

For these fixings, take spare screws if necessary: Handlebars, Stem, Seat post clamp to frame, Seatpost mounting head, Bottle cage, Chainring bolts on the crank & Drop out.

Please pack the wrench to remove the crank. This was the case at the Tour de Friends III Augsburg-Felte: a chain had jammed between frame and crank and the crank needed to be removed.

In particular, check the brake flanks. At Tour de Friends we had several faulty carbon rims where the brake flanks had bursted open due to so-called delamination. Dust also has a greater effect on the wear and tear of the brake flanks. Consider: A good aluminium rim brake wheel does have its advantages under more extreme conditions.