Touring - Number of Tubes

Hi there

How many tubes do you bring with you on a long trip? My wife and I are planning our first all-summer bike trip from Copenhagen to Berlin and then probably into the Czech Republic. I know that we will learn a lot on the trip but I would like a little advice before we start. On an easy 50+ km ride this last weekend with very light load I managed to blow two tubes (both front and back) and break one spoke.

Being a Cubs fan I do know about curses so this may not have anything to do with road conditions or riding technique, just a black cloud following me on that particular day.

Thank you

I usually carry just two spares and a patch kit. But my tours are done mostly on paved roads (no particular risk of flats) and in areas where I can easily find more spare tubes / patch kits if needed. Copenhagen to Berlin on paved roads sounds a lot like that.

I also carry several spare spokes taped to my rear rack and the Next Best Thing -lockring tool. The NBT weighs less than a standard Shimano lockring remover alone, and it also eliminates the need for chain whip / large adjustable wrench combo.

--J

Two brand new tubes in the tyres and three spares (properly patched if recycled).

2 extra tubes + patch kit.
You are in bike-shop contry and will be able to replace a spare within 24 hours.

I run 26" tires and a little lower pressure. I slimed my tubes last year and have put over 3000 miles on them. No flats. I usually carry one tube and some duct tape (for sidewall cuts).

Better to be safe than stranded! I hear the Slime doesn't work under higher pressures.

I found using one thorn resistant tube in the tire is sufficient.

I am talking about those with increased thickness (8 times thicker..?)

Anyway, I've been using them for a year and a half and never had a flat, both on cross country riding, and arround city.

On an easy 50+ km ride this last weekend with very light load I managed to blow two tubes (both front and back) and break one spoke.Never mind the tubes..... I'd be concerned about that one broken spoke on such a short trip. Completely check out the wheels before embarking on a lenghty tour.

bah! there is no such thing as curses! [boston red sox fan]

Fixer is right, get the wheels checked.

What caused the tubes to blow? Get good tires and carry two new tubes and the patch kit per person. I very rarely have flats and that's across seven different bikes of different types. I credit much of my flat free riding to high end Continental tires. Travel Contact and Top Touring are what I use for touring use. And yes...get those wheels checked for proper build and tension.

Above all else, have fun! :p

Cheers,

Ron
Wasatch Mountain Range, Utah
Our Touring Journals (http://miles2go.crazyguyonabike.com/)

You guys are making me feel like overkill with three spare tubes (and patch kit). But on a trans-Nullarbor Crossing, two months in Europe, two 1200 and a 1000 randonnee, I've had nary a puncture. Three seems to be my lucky number. I'll stick with it!

Having said that, I've never carried a spare tyre with me, and never had a tyre split (wear out and need replacing at the end of a trip, but not during).