Road Cycling - stranded with a FLAT !!

For the entire story, read my diary entry: http://www.digitalexpressions.nu/viewdiary.php?DID=28&EID=568415

In summary, I was out biking this evening, about 15 miles from home, when my rear tire went flat.

What do you all do to prevent these sort of situations? Carry spare tubes, tools, and a pump with you? ANY advice would be welcome... I don't want to get stuck with a flat like that again!

Also does higher tire pressure mean less chance of a flat? My tires say 80PSI max... I think they were at 60 or so.

Thanks!

Spare tube, patch kit, mini pump on frame. probably should carry a couple of spare tubes. I had 4 flats in one day last week. Two before I ever got started and two while riding.

I carry a full patch kit, one tube and a full size frame pump. For longer rides, i'll take two spare tubes. Higher pressure helps with pinch or snake bite flats, but not thorns and sharp objects.

Tube, tire levers, CO2 inflator and a couple of cartridges. On longer rides [120+ km], I'll take an extra tube and a mini-pump.

I never leave the house without a full-size frame pump (road bike) or mini-pump (mountain bike), spare inner tube, patch kit, tyre levers, spoke wrench, and a few hex keys and sockets or box-end wrenches.

Besides the spare tube, tire patch kit, pump and tools mentioned above, I also carry a folding tire in my hydopack. So far, I have never needed it, but it is nice to know it is there on my weekend wanderings, as I might find myself 30 or 40 miles from home!
When I ride, I feel pretty confident that I can handle about any breakdown that may occur...altho so far, ol' Blue has always taken me out, and delivered me safely home without any major problems!

Patch kit, inflation device (pump or CO2 inflator), tire levers (I like Crank Bros. Speed Lever for stubborn road tires), spare tube, a dollar bill (for a cash boot...i.e. it can be used to patch a torn sidewall) and most important of all...the know how.

Make sure you know how to change a tire, patch a tube, boot a tire etc. Your local bike shop should be willing to show you how.

in TO we gotta use 5$ bills cuz 1$ bills arent made anymore. cheap loonie worth s**t

Originally posted by WorldIRC
in TO we gotta use 5$ bills cuz 1$ bills arent made anymore. cheap loonie worth s**t

I've used a US $20 bill for a cash boot. But only because I didn't have change. Now I ALWAYS carry a single.