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.
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One glove for the really dirty patrts. I use it also when the chain falls
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one tube because I don’t want to deal with patches and glue while in a hurry
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flat wrench since I don’t have quick realase on my wheels
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a small pump
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the (usual) 3 plastic tools to remove the tire
This is how I wrap it up to keep i compact:
What do you use? Do you carry a kit at all?
I carry nothing, I have cycle commuted on this bike 4 - 5 days a week for the last 7 years or more as well as doing rides for myself. When i first got the bike I had a couple of flats on the rear, I changed the tyre and since then I’ve had 1 flat in around 6 and a half years so I just don’t see the point.
The flat I did have was a pinch in the front from a huge pothole I didn’t see on a route I didn’t know so it was what I would consider exceptional circumstances too.
How often do you actually use that stuff?
How often do you actually use that stuff?
Funny enough, even though I ride with a first aid kit and tools/patch kit, I’ve never needed to use them for myself, but have helped quite a few strangers who’ve been injured or stuck.
That makes it worthwhile, IMO.
I don’t really see the point either, considering there are small bike repair stands all over my daily commute. If I get a flat, I can just walk my bike to one of them and they’ll fix me up in 15 minutes for a couple bucks.
But I also realise that’s more a perk of living in my city, which is very bike heavy to begin with, and might not work for everybody.
I’ve seen one of them once in my city, so I think it was more of a one off ran by an LBS, so I definitely think that is a perk of where ever you are located.
Armourer tyres more than do the job for me and I am already carrying my lunch and clothes and other shit in my backpack, I don’t need innertubes and tools adding to that weight :D
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.
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.
That’s a good point, actually
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!
I think a better question is how big a difference it makes to have one when you need it.
I don’t carry one, but I don’t bike in areas where I can’t walk my bike home ore take a bus if need be. I’ve had flats. Normally, I discovered them at the end of the day, when I was preparing to ride home.
I guess so, whilst it can be annoying in the moment for the most part I am happy to walk home and take that risk.
That one pinch flat I mentioned was during an acid trip and turned what would have been a slightly better than average 60km road ride into a 3 plus hour trek through some beautiful countryside with a great hour long chat with my mum on the phone. I still fondly remember that day and needless to say I wouldn’t have had such a great day if I’d had a repair kit on me.
However everyone will have different experiences with punctures xD
You can repair the flat and still walk home.
Why would I do that? I think you missed the point that the puncture forced me to do something I hadn’t planned to do which was ultimately very enjoyable.
Yes. And I’m just pointing out that you can derive the same benefit from a purposeful change in behavior.
You can do it with a flat tire, but you can also do it with a patched one. You don’t need to wait for street trash and a deliberate pack of preparation to stop and smell the flowers.
very similar on my bike, commuting or just weekend exploring - inner tube, pump, three levers and a glove. except the pump, everything fits inside small underseat bag.
I commute daily and ride a lot. I also tend to mess around with tires and tubes (and not-tubes) a lot.
I carry a full tool kit, including patches, levers,a pump, a multi-tool, fiberfix (I just used it 1st time ever!), Tire repair bacon, a boot, derailleur hanger… It doesn’t weigh much, better to practice and know what works when you’re out in the world.
tire repair bacon, a boot, fiberfix
Never heard of thise… What are they? Specific for tubeless?
Derailleur hanger
Wow, first time I heard of someone carrying that around. I would love to have internal gearbox also to avoid damage to those
I’ve done a fair but of self supported long rides. Cracked my hanger in Montana on the Tour Divide some years ago, the shop I went to didn’t have one. So, now I carry one.
Fiberfix is a replacement spoke: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fiberfix.php
Ok, it makes sense now. Your use case is beyond simple commuting, i would say.
Fiberfix
very interesting! This could really be worth carrying around also for a city commute
Yeah - one of the things I learned was: if you are going to take it on your tour, take it all the time (within reason).
I agree. I bring the kit with me after having a bad period with a lot of flats. Now it has been a long time without any (by writing this I am really risking a lot) but I still bring it with me.
It’s like backup: you start doing it when you get hit hard by loss of valuable data
I don’t commute with my bike, but I use it for everything.
While I’d like to improve on this kit, both my bikes have the following (near identical) kits:
- Manual pump with a PSI indicator built-in. When I bring my trunk bag, I’ll keep a small electric pump, which is soooooo much better than the manual pumps.
- Tire patch kit.
- 1 x spare tube.
- Bike multitool (a shitty one… I’m looking at replacing these).
- A few pairs of nitrile gloves.
I’ll also keep a small first aid kit with me (either in my trunk bag or my handlebar bag).
In my trunk bag, I’ll also keep a few spare snacks, a sachet of electrolyte powder, a proper multitool (with pliers, knife, etc.), and stuff to keep sanitary if I’m on a longer ride (spare toilet paper, hand wipes, sunscreen, etc.).
But I also have CAA’s roadside bike assistance, which could really help me out if I’m truly stuck. I could forgo the kit that I keep, but for convenience, and to help others, I don’t mind the extra 1-2 lbs.
I have two bikes that I ride frequently- commuting or otherwise. I have a saddle bag with a quick release latch that makes it easy to switch between bikes depending on which one I’m going to be riding. I keep two tubes (I run 28mm tires so the tubes aren’t huge), a small pump, tire levers, a multi tool, a small tubeless plug kit, and a little shop rag.
My nicer bike is set up tubeless so I don’t need to deal with flats often, but I have needed to stop and put in some extra air after a persistent leak before. My other bike runs tubes and I do get flats sometimes despite running Continental GP 4 Seasons tires.
The worst part is the pump. It takes forever and it’s physically awkward. Electric pumps are getting smaller and cheaper, but I worry I’ll forget to keep it charged.
Mine is a bus pass
😁 it is compact for sure!
