What do you do to repair a flat tire while out cycling?

Baz · Baz's Garage

The latest for me is to carry a spare tube, CO2 cartridges, and tire levers.

Curious how others handle this situation.

Walking back sucks....that's for sure!

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

While I've never had a flat while out cycling, I'm now of the age I don't ride further away from my car than I'm willing to walk if I do have a flat. When I ride I ride down at the beach on the bike path.

70SATMan · 07-06-2022, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

The latest for me is to carry a spare tube, CO2 cartridges, and tire levers.

Curious how others handle this situation.

Walking back sucks....that's for sure!

I've carried a tube repair kit, spare tube and tools since I started riding in the '80s. Doing that work on the side of the road is always better than walking. Even if it was the middle of summer with corn and beans on both sides with nary a tree in site for shade.

Of course, we never had the option of calling a buddy for a ride back then but still,,,,

herr_oberst · 06:15 PM

Depending on the length of the ride, I carry a Co2 whippet with the correct nozzle, a tube, a few glue on patches and one tire lever. I also have a small pump made by Lezyne that fits in one of my jersey pockets in case the whippit fails or I get a second flat.
Learn to use the whippet and the Lezyne at home before you need it on a windy cold and rainy day out in the dark middle of nowhere.
For rides <50 miles or if I'll be on known shi#ty roads, I usually slip a second tube into my jersey. Pack your fears, that's my mantra!

Not to brag but I can change a front tube in 4 minutes - that's back on the bike and riding in 4. Rear tire takes a little longer but not twice as long.

(I know people are now on tubeless, but my experience has been that they're more trouble than they're worth. Change my mind!)

rusnak · 07-06-2022, 06:13 PM

glue, CO2, and get the hell out of there. Change your tire in a safe place.

rwest · rwest's Garage

Belt and suspenders for me... I carry two tubes, regular patch kit, stick on patches, tire repair sticker and two plastic irons.

For a pump, I found this awesome one years ago that they don’t make anymore. It is a mini pump that also uses CO2 cartridges. I pump up the tire to make sure it isn’t pinched and then a little followed by a full fill with CO2.

I use a tubular tire under seat pack to hold it all- rather sleek for how much I put in it.

Rutager

SCadaddle · 07-06-2022, 06:24 PM

Riding along in the car one day, the lady friend started singing to the Jimmy Buffet "Margaritaville" on the radio....

"Stepped on a pop tart, blew out my flip flop...."

WHOA! WHAT? Who the hell blows out a flip flop by stepping on a pop tart?! When was the last time you saw a damn pop tart on the ground?!

So which flavor was it Baz?!

wswartzwel · 07-06-2022, 06:24 PM

Spare tube and CO2 for my road bike. My gravel Bike and MTB are set up tubless with sealant so I carry a plug kit and a small pump for them

Baz · Baz's Garage

Ya'll with the patches....are you using the glueless ones at all? How do they compare with the traditional ones, in your opinion. My problem with the glue ons is the tube of glue always seems to go bad too quickly.

I like tubes as well, Herr Oberst...

hbueno · hbueno's Garage

Spare tube, plastic tire levers, air pump. I've amazed my bike club friends with how fast I can change a tube. I also carry a chain tool and a set of Allen wrenches. A dollar bill can come in handy if you slice a tire and need temporary reinforcement between the tube and tire.

I also ride with old fashioned toe clips, none of that newfangled stuff for me.

herr_oberst · 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

Ya'll with the patches....are you using the glueless ones at all? How do they compare with the traditional ones, in your opinion. My problem with the glue ons is the tube of glue always seems to go bad too quickly.

I like tubes as well, Herr Oberst...

Fantastic. Just be sure to rough up the surround with the little piece of sandpaper that comes in the patches. I pretty much stick with the Park brand, have a hard time trusting the cheap knockoffs. Pack your fears!

BTW, I always thought

Stepped on a pop top
blew out my flip flop
cut my heel had to cruise on back home

was one of the better crafted lyrics JB ever came up with; it was a situation we could all relate to - the fun was over temporarily because of a tiny mishap, so might as well drink the rest of the afternoon!

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Fantastic. Just be sure to rough up the surround

Ever considered tubes made by Slime? I've used them and they seem to hold up well. Not sure if it's because of the slime or I've just been lucky....

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Usually, I carried a spare tube in an under the seat pack, with titanium tire levers. I always kept a tire patch (for big hole issues!) and a tube patch kit if I get unlucky more than once. They make a little box of small self-adhesive patches. I also prefer real latex tubes over Butyl tubes.

I preferred a small tire pump on my frame to the CO2 cartridges, thus breaking one of "The Rules".

Rule 5

herr_oberst · 07-06-2022, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

Ever considered tubes made by Slime? I've used them and they seem to hold up well. Not sure if it's because of the slime or I've just been lucky....

No, too heavy.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbueno

Spare tube, plastic tire levers, air pump. I've amazed my bike club friends with how fast I can change a tube. I also carry a chain tool and a set of Allen wrenches. A dollar bill can come in handy if you slice a tire and need temporary reinforcement between the tube and tire.

I also ride with old fashioned toe clips, none of that newfangled stuff for me.

Dollar Bill works, but usually ruins the bill! I switched to carrying these large thin adhesive internal tire patches.

The best way is to not have flats. For "Training" I used Armadillos and Gator Skins. For serious rides, I used "Blackchili" Continental tires. These were supported rides, so the danger of getting stranded was much less.

Oh, since I used "missing linx" on my chains, I always brough a pair of links along. I broke a link one and the chain just dropped off....

Jolly Amaranto · 07-06-2022, 07:18 PM

I have both a spare tube and patch kit along with CO2 cartridges. I also have a $20 bill for whatever emergencies. The only time I used the $20 was to create a "boot" when the side wall of the tire was cut and did not want the tube to balloon out. Keep a $1 bill in the kit now for that purpose.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Parktool "Boot" patch - Much better than a dollar

https://amazon.com/Park-Tool-TB-2-Emergency-Tire/dp/B000YBGJRS

Tube Patches

https://amazon.com/Park-Tool-Pre-Glued-Puncture-Repair/dp/B00S4PSX02

sc_rufctr · 07-06-2022, 07:32 PM

I still ride "singles or sew ups" on my road and cycle cross bikes. (sealant, double sided tape, not glue)

With a small pump, tool kit and a spare under my seat.

stuartj · 07-06-2022, 07:36 PM

I carry a tube, sometimed two and a bike multitool in a frame bottle and a pump in the pocket. Never needed the multitool, tyre levers are unnecessary. Also have a chain magic link.

herr_oberst · 07-06-2022, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I still ride "singles or sew ups"

Awesome! Do you repair them yourself? When I was about 15yo with a paper route I had a bike with sewups and the only way I could afford to make that work was by learning how to patch them. My family thought I was nuts.