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oldnolder 
Group: Members
Posts: 1739
Joined: Jun. 2009
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Posted on: Aug. 27 2012, 5:13 pm |
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A faceook friend had 5 flats on a bike ride today. Made me think a bit. I carry a spare tube and a patch kit with levers. I also took a tube out of the package, after carrying it on the bike for a year or so, and all along the edge where the tube had been folded the tube was cracked. The tube was useless. So, I ask you fellow bike riders, do you do anything special to tubes you carry for flats. I have thought about putting it in a plastic bag with some talcum powder. What do you do? How long do you carry a tube? Do you ever check it?
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| Post Number: 2
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LostSheep
Most Awesomest Member
Group: Members
Posts: 7970
Joined: Feb. 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 27 2012, 6:01 pm |
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I have 3 cans of air (CO2) and 2 tubes, plus the inflator, lever, laminated expired drivers license, and $10 in my kit bag on both bikes. The tires are in a ziploc with talcum powder and I check them prior to all of my races (~4/yr).
Honestly, anything more than that, and I'm pretty well in trouble. I did a couple of the longer rides (50+ mile) and occasionally, I'd toss an extra tube in my jersey pocket on those. But really, I just let it be.
Now, on my race bike when I go out on the shorter races (56mi - Half Ironman distance), I'll take 2 tubes. If I blow both of those, it's pretty much guaranteed that my race is over. I'll take the assistance from the SAG wagon and get the penalty.
5 flats is quite a few though. Was this from legitimately hitting 5 things or were some from pinches when putting on the new tires? Or from bad rim tape?
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| Post Number: 3
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wildlifenate
Group: Members
Posts: 5830
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Aug. 27 2012, 6:21 pm |
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I ride a mountain bike most of the time and am generally more prepared than roadie sorts.
I ride with tubeless tires on my mtb. They have sealant inside. Most flats get sealed automagically. I still carry multiple flat repair options. I don't bother with levers. I can remove all my tires without them. For the mtb, I have tire boots and plugs, a spare tube, and glueless tube patches. I also carry a pump, multitool with chain breaker, spare power link, and a bit of extra chain when I trimmed the chain on the install.
For my commuter bike, I carry a spare tube plus glueless patches, multitool with chain breaker, and spare power link. I only have a 3mi commute and the bike shop is on it. I could probably get away without carrying that repair gear, but being a mt biker who has gotten in trouble for not carrying enough repair gear in the past makes me leery of leaving it behind for any reason.
I carry all that stuff in a backpack. I plan to get panniers for the commuter bike so I don't need the backpack for it. and I plan to duplicate the tool and pump in the panniers so it's all ready to go when I want to roll out the garage.
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The GPS Geek
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| Post Number: 4
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
Posts: 9848
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2012, 12:30 am |
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I carry a spare tube, but because I have liners in my tires, I haven't used one in a long time. Now I'm thinking I should check it.
I also carry patch kit, inflator, and a mini-pump. And $20 and a credit card.
Yesterday I also carried my cell phone the whole way, only to find, when the spouse wanted to contact me, that we don't have any coverage out on the coast anyway 
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| Post Number: 5
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rayestrella
Group: Members
Posts: 6411
Joined: Nov. 2004
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Posted on: Sep. 18 2012, 12:53 pm |
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Oh never mind. I thought you were asking where I carry my spare tire... ;-)
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I measure happiness with an altimeter
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| Post Number: 6
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oldnolder
Group: Members
Posts: 1739
Joined: Jun. 2009
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Posted on: Sep. 18 2012, 4:05 pm |
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Ray,the same place I carry mine.
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| Post Number: 7
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Canyonlands
Group: Members
Posts: 200
Joined: Jun. 2002
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Posted on: Sep. 21 2012, 12:44 am |
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5 flats? We haven't had 1 flat in years and we don't use liners, slime, etc.
We have 14 bikes between my wife and I. One spare tube for each and they are never used. 80-100 mile rides and races, no change. 1 spare tube that never gets used. When my wife races Leadville 100 I convert her over to tubeless with zero problems. It comes down to high quality tires and high quality tubes. You could pretty much stick with Schwalbe for both tires and tubes and be in great shape. Some of the tubes I have are 5+ years old and they are perfectly fine and they are just sitting in seat packs with tire levers, chain tools and allen wrenches.
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Edge of the Holy Cross Wilderness - Colorado
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