Commuting - Are you prepared for a flat tire?

Well it finally happened to me. I knew that all my bragging about never getting a flat would come back to haunt me. I was on my way home when the back tire went down. Oh well, I figured I'd just call my wife to get me but I managed to forget to charge my cell and it was dead. Changing out the tube was pretty easy but I was thinking that if I had another flat then I'd be screwed. Now I'm going to carry two tubes and at least three CO2 bottles. Overkill?
What do you folks carry for flat repairs?

2 tubes (3 if on a long ride), clamshell tool kit, tire spoons, cotton work gloves, and a small pump

yes...i've had three flats on the ride home once (funny how that imbedded glass can't be found on a cold, snowy night). I've even had the opportunity to use my chain tool

I carry two tubes, a patch kit for tubes, a patch kit for tires, six C02, inflator, and tire irons... Man I'm paranoid

For the racer, 2 tubes, 3 C02, patch kit. For other bikes -- 2 or 3 tubes depending on ride length, patch kit, pump.

I would never only carry one tube or skip the patch kit. It is possible to botch a repair (e.g. not get every last bit of glass out of the tire) or just get unlucky.

2 tubes, patch kit and a pump. I think I've had up to 3 flats in a 15 mile commute. 2 were at the same time.

I carry an extra tube and a patch kit and a pump, two tire levers. I too have had an opportunity to use the chain tool. Used it for a roadside single speed conversion when my derailer spontaniously imploded. Rode that way for a week!

I carry a spare tube, a patch kit with at least 6 patches in it, an Alien multi-tool, and a pump.
I've had many flats over the years and multiple flats on a single ride. The only time I've ever had a tire problem I couldn't fix was a sidewall blow-out about three inches long. By an incredible stroke of luck, it happened a block from a bicycle store so I was able to buy a tire and tube and carry on my way.

I carry a spare tube, a patch kit with at least 6 patches in it, an Alien multi-tool, and a pump.
I've had many flats over the years and multiple flats on a single ride. The only time I've ever had a tire problem I couldn't fix was a sidewall blow-out about three inches long. By an incredible stroke of luck, it happened a block from a bicycle store so I was able to buy a tire and tube and carry on my way.

when my sidewall blew..but only about 1", i found that by cutting a strip off the old tube and putting it between the rip and the new tube it held until i got home (about 10 miles)...it was still holding the next morning when i was able to change the tire.

Saw this tip on TV

I carry a patch kit, tools and a pump. I've never had a sudden flat, only slow leaks. One I repaired at work during lunch, and the other I waited till I got home.

Since I got the new tires on my bike, I haven't had any flats at all. 8.5 mile each way. There's also lots of bus routes, worst case is I'd have to walk my bike a few blocks to catch a bus. I also pass two cycle shops where I could get parts in an emergency (assuming, of course that I brought some cash with me!)

I'll have to worry about it more when I move, a couple miles longer trip, plus the route is a little more remote. I'll probably carry a couple tubes with me then.

I've had two flats, and both times didn't have the right tools. First time I had everything I needed except a wrench to take my new, non QR wheel off. The second time I had everything I needed except plumbers tape to wrap my presta valve with so air wouldn't leak when I put the extender on. Both problems have been fixed.

I'm also going to put a couple of pairs of latex gloves in my bag. Changing flats is dirty work.

Every time (unless I forget):
- mini-pump/CO2 inflator (single combo unit)
- 16g CO2 cartridge
- glueless patches
- extra tube
- tires levers

Optional:
- more tubes
- more CO2
- real patch kit

The glueless patches are handy for quick patchings and for small tears in a tire. Bigger tears can be dealt with on the road via a "boot", either an official commercial "boot" (e.g. by Park Tools) or an improvised boot such as a folded dollar bill or scrap of Powerbar wrapper (the mylar is good stuff). The nice thing about a CO2/minpump combo is that it's easy to prime the tube with the minipump to give the tube some shape for mounting on the rim, and, perhaps more importantly, you can be pretty sure of a good seal before blowing a cartridge on it.

Heh, in writing this it occurs to me that my 20" folder tires may not need a full 16g cartridge (it's perfect for the roadie). Hmmm...

Edit: speaking of my folder, with the rear wheel not having a quick release (consequence of the hub gearing) I also take a Park Tools "road wrench" 15mm wrench. Very handy: it's meant to be a pedal wrench, I suppose, and I use it as such as well.

Tube, patch kit, two CO2 cartridges, multi-tool, and a few zipties. Pretty minimal.

Topeak Toolbar, Topeak Micro Rocket, and some Park Super Patches. Gets me going again. I replace the tube when I get home.

A noob question.....can you overfill a 23" tire with a 16g CO2 bottle?

I carry two tubes, a patch kit, three levers and an inflater with three bottles.

A noob question.....can you overfill a 23" tire with a 16g CO2 bottle?

I carry two tubes, a patch kit, three levers and an inflater with three bottles.

Mine doesn't. I used up the bottle filling my tube.

Every ride:
Extra tube, levers, 2 CO2 inflators, multi-tool (including chain tool), tube repair kit

Commuting rides:
Add mini-pump

Long rides (200-300k):
Add spare chain links, folding tire, 2 more tubes, fiber spoke, extra reflective gear, 2 spare dollar bills.

No flats for almost a year, and last week two (one in the front from a thorn and one in the back from glass) at the same time. On my mountain bike. I had to patch the back one roadside oldschool, the front leak was slow enough to go home first.

Edit: On the extra heavy rim-tire combo I used to have on my freeride bike, I almost needed a crowbar to get the bead off the tire. Whenever I rode that thing I didn't bother with any flat repair things since there seemed to be no point in attempting a roadside fix.

I mostly got away with it too. The only flat over 12,000 km was from a broken valve stem... during a snowstorm, which made walking the 10km home almost as fast anyways.

I would leave without my helmet before I
left without a multi-tool and flat repair kit /tube.
And, remember....if it is a puncture you do not have to
take the rim off of the bike. Leave it on and you'll save time
and stay signifigantly cleaner.

Well it finally happened to me. I knew that all my bragging about never getting a flat would come back to haunt me. I was on my way home when the back tire went down. Oh well, I figured I'd just call my wife to get me but I managed to forget to charge my cell and it was dead. Changing out the tube was pretty easy but I was thinking that if I had another flat then I'd be screwed. Now I'm going to carry two tubes and at least three CO2 bottles. Overkill?
What do you folks carry for flat repairs?

A tube, a patch kit, tire irons and a frame pump. Has worked like that for 30 + years on various bikes.

The only thing I carry different on my touring bike is duct tape... to repair cut tires while way out in the boonies. I have the duct tape wrapped around my pump.

This whole CO2 craze I just don't understand... frame pumps work quite well, have worked quite well for ages and never run out of air, and weigh nothing compared to carrying several CO2 cartridges.

When I ride sewups I carry two spare tires. And a pump.

Two tubes (each in an in old sox, makes a handy rag), patch kit, Alien multi tool, two 15mm stubby wrenches, pump, some stick on boots and a bunch of quarters. Oh, and a presta/schrader adapter. I've had too many flats to give a precise number. The latex gloves sound like a good addition.

*sigh*

I thought I was prepared for a flat on Monday, but when I was fixing my first flat of the commute, I broke the pump on my 2nd wind inflator. I patched the tube and had to blow both the 12g CO2 carts I usually carry. I was fixed up, but I knew if I got another flat, I'd be SOL. I didn't worry too much because this was my first flat in 3 years, so I wasn't anticipating another one. Of course I get one. I would have been understanding if it was in the same spot as the last flat, meaning I had botched patch job, but it was in a different place on the tube!! Just my luck. Patch holds, but I get another flat anyway :(

I don't carry anything except a pump. I use armadillo tires with slime. Usually, by reinflating, any leaks will seal themselves. On 2 or 3 occassions in the last 18 years, I had a blowout. If this happens, I just walk the bike Home, Work, or to the LBS, whichever is closer.

I would have been understanding if it was in the same spot as the last flat, meaning I had botched patch job, but it was in a different place on the tube!! Just my luck. Patch holds, but I get another flat anyway :( Did you check the tire for the thing that caused your first flat?

If not, it's possible it just remained in the tire and caused a second puncture.

I'm also going to put a couple of pairs of latex gloves in my bag. Changing flats is dirty work.

You called??

1 tube, a pump, and lots of patches.

Instead of latex gloves get nitrile ones. The nitrile is much stronger than the latex.

David

I had two blowouts today, both of them sounded like gunshots. First one was a metal shard that slit the tire. I overlooked it and changed the tube. Second one was a bulging tube which bulged out of the slit in the tire, and BOOM! The slit was pretty small but the tube still exploded. I cut a section out of the old tube and used it as a backing for the tire. Sure hope it holds...

I had a flat a few months ago. I thought I was prepared, but found out I had the wrong CO2 cartidges for my pump. Lesson learned: check your thread sizes!

- 1 tube
- patch kit
- road morph pump
- 3 tire levers
- 3 tire boots

I carry a spare tube and CO2 inflator in my seatpost bag. In my backpack I carry another spare tube and a mini-pump. I don't carry any levers as I can work a tire off and back on without using tire levers.

I always make sure my cell phone is charged before I head out to work or home.

I'm not going to get myself dirty on the way to work. I just grab a cab, drop the bike at the bike shop, and continue to the office. My bike mechanic's billing rate is less than mine.

Paul

I know I'm playing with fire here in that I don't carry ANYTHING for flats!! That's over the last 2 summers riding too... pretty bad I know. This thread is a great reminder that I should be prepared!! And learn how to actually FIX the flat too.

Nothing. I carry nothing. It's only a 5 mile commute. I'll walk if I get a flat. I know it will happen someday. So be it.

Spare tube, pump, tire levers, and a patch kit. I like the idea of a pair of light work gloves.

I carry nothing. I have a 2.85 mile commute though.
Is it necessary to carry patches if you have a tube? I haven't changed a bike tire since I was ten and I actually forget how. Anybody have a how-to article? Also what is a tire tool? I have a park tool multi-thing and I think it has one.

Well it finally happened to me. I knew that all my bragging about never getting a flat would come back to haunt me. I was on my way home when the back tire went down. Oh well, I figured I'd just call my wife to get me but I managed to forget to charge my cell and it was dead. Changing out the tube was pretty easy but I was thinking that if I had another flat then I'd be screwed. Now I'm going to carry two tubes and at least three CO2 bottles. Overkill?
What do you folks carry for flat repairs?
I have regular frame pump on my bike. No need to worry about what happens if I have n+1 flats where n if number of CO2 bottles. :)

I carry nothing. I have a 2.85 mile commute though.
Is it necessary to carry patches if you have a tube? I haven't changed a bike tire since I was ten and I actually forget how. Anybody have a how-to article? Also what is a tire tool? I have a park tool multi-thing and I think it has one.

I'm in the same boat. Suggestions anyone? Anyone?

Here's a how-to page. Very complete narrative.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/fixflat.htm

i carry two tubes, levers, alien tool, a patch kit that i rarely use, a couple of cans of air and a lightweight frame pump.

i'll use the CO2 first, jsut cuz its faster, but i like having a pump cuz i've been stranded without air before and i bought the frame pump THAT DAY, after a nice roadie stopped and let me use his frame pump so i could getto work sorta on time.

so yea now i rock both. the extra couple of oz is negligible at the end of the day, and the peace of mind that i can make it home under my own power under almost any circumstances is comforting. also its nice to be able to offer to help a stranded rider without then having to prey you dont flat out on the way home.

Patches, glue, tire irons, a minipump, and a valve adapter (Schrader2Presta). Overkill was riding with a floor pump until I found the minipump on the road side. Overkill is also riding in the summer with the 700x38 Armadillo tires the wife got me.

Did you check the tire for the thing that caused your first flat?

If not, it's possible it just remained in the tire and caused a second puncture.

Yep, I checked the whole tire, and didn't see or feel anything either. The 2nd flat happened at a different spot too, so unless whatever caused the first one moved inside the tire and I missed it...

spare tube, patch kit, levers, road morph pump, duct tape for making boots and a partridge in a pear tree

A noob question.....can you overfill a 23" tire with a 16g CO2 bottle?

I carry two tubes, a patch kit, three levers and an inflater with three bottles.
This may depend on your tires since 16g theoretically gives you 130psi, but my experience is that it's the minimum I'd want to put in. I won't use anything but 16g -- a 12g fill leaves the tires feeling mighty soft.

Edit: speaking of my folder, with the rear wheel not having a quick release (consequence of the hub gearing) I also take a Park Tools "road wrench" 15mm wrench. Very handy: it's meant to be a pedal wrench, I suppose, and I use it as such as well.


Don't forget something to use as a screwdriver for the shifter pin ... My multi-tool didn't have one but did have a knife blade that worked when i discovered I needed the screwdriver. :)

On my commuter, I carry 2 spare tubes, a patch kit, and a topeak road morph pump (as a side note, i also keep a floor pump at work).

I didn't have flat this year until this Monday. Had a flat on my front about 10 min. from the house. No problem. just swapped the tube with one of my spares (I carry 2). About 1/4 mile from the office, another flat on my front. Okay, just walked the rest of the way into the office. Worked on patching the tube. Found 4 holes on the first tube. Not sure if I pinched it while mounting or what, but after all that patching, it held fine. On the ride home, was a block from home and flatted on my rear. Ack. So, I never needed any of this all year, but on that one day, I needed it all.

On my weekend bike, I keep 1 spare tube, stick on patches, and CO2 pump and 1 cartridge. I'm ususally riding with my wife who also carries another tube and another cartridge. Haven't flatted this year although she flatted 2 weekends ago when we were about 3 miles from our finish.

Here's a how-to page. Very complete narrative.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/fixflat.htm

Thanks! That's a great "How-to" on flats.

Also what is a tire tool? I have a park tool multi-thing and I think it has one.

why bother carrying the tool if you have no idea how to use it??? :D

my girldfirends co-worker is hillaroius, everytime he gets a flat he gets to work late cause he's gotta walk, then goes to the bikeshop to get it fixed... then he always comes over to her and b!tches about it; i think he tells her about it in hopes she will fix it??? i dunno, wierd guy; but man he coulda saved himself some serious time and $$$ by now if he just learned to do it himself.

learning to change your own flat should be one of the basic rights of passage for any bicycle rider!

Wow, I can't believe the people who get no flats. That's amazing. I get dozens per year. I carry at least 1 tube, a patch kit, levers, co2, and a mini pump while commuting. Even all that didn't help when I wore all the way through threads on my tire.

I just chance it. My commute is only 1 mile each way and I wear a suit or dress clothes, so I would walk it home or to work in any case. Luckily, 26x 1 3/8 tires are pretty bomb proof.