So, over the years I learnt what I needed to be ready to solve a flat on the go.

Back then I wasn’t aware of the pre-made kits (or maybe they weren’t even around), so I made mine.

  • One glove for the really dirty patrts. I use it also when the chain falls

  • one tube because I don’t want to deal with patches and glue while in a hurry

  • flat wrench since I don’t have quick realase on my wheels

  • a small pump

  • the (usual) 3 plastic tools to remove the tire

This is how I wrap it up to keep i compact:

the kit wrapped up in a cloth pack

What do you use? Do you carry a kit at all?

  • lgspOP
    2·
    2 months ago

    The answer is: it depends!

    When I was at university I had a mountain bike, I used mostly everyday, 10 km each trip or so. Since I used it in the city on asphalt, I changed my tires to be smoother, and it worked, but I also had a number of flats. I guess the tires were not so good, but I also kept the pressure very high, to be faster. In that period I put together the first version of the kit, and I became really fast at changing the tube on the side of the road (like 5 or 10 minutes, and a lot of sweat actually). Maybe it happened once a month on average.

    Actually once I hit a dislodged cobblestone and had a front flat. I changed the tube and then discovered that I had a flat also on the rear wheel I didn’t see. I was so angry… I didn’t (and still don’t) carry 2 tubes.

    Since then I changed my bike and had a couple of citybikes. It didn’t happen so often. But since I now carry my laptop and other stuff, I don’t bother bringing the kit with me, just in case.

    • ShouldIHaveFun@lemmy.pec0ra.ch
      2·
      1 year ago

      A good alternative to carrying 2 tubes is to have some patches with you. I can understand that they may be too much work for fixing the first flat but they could save you from the next X flats for almost no extra weight/room.

      • lgspOP
        1·
        2 months ago

        That’s a good point, actually

    • theskyisfalling@lemmy.fmhy.ml
      2·
      1 year ago

      Tyres definitely make a lot of difference in my experience. Changing out the cheap schwalbe for a specialised crossroads that is armoured made all the difference. I haven’t had one puncture with that tyre, can’t recommend an armoured tyre enough if you are using your bike all the time and want reliability!