Cyclocross - Racing and flats

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scattered73
12-07-08, 04:34 PM
Watched my first race this weekend, looked really fun. So what do you guys do if you flat far from the pit? Carry provisions to change a tube there, run with the bike to the pit, just ride the flat to the pit or just call it quits?

jonestr
12-07-08, 05:56 PM
ride it to the pits if you can and run it if you cant
acorn_user
12-07-08, 08:26 PM
If it's close, you run to the pit. Some courses let you cut the course to the pit if you restart where you came from. Otherwise you give up. Quite a few people use some kind of sealant in their tyres too.

sfcrossrider
12-07-08, 09:11 PM
We can't cut, so we have to ride, or run. I rolled a tubular last week and kissed my race good bye (finished poorly)! If you're in the proper category (not sandbagging) a mechanical is usually a kiss of death.
Dheorl
12-08-08, 08:22 AM
Just wondering, has anyone ever used a CO2 tool which repairs and infaltes. They seem like they could be useful and was just wondering how well they actually worked in practice.
dc.cyclocross
12-08-08, 10:12 AM
Just wondering, has anyone ever used a CO2 tool which repairs and infaltes. They seem like they could be useful and was just wondering how well they actually worked in practice.

i've tried the Hutchinson in a non-race situation with my tubulars (with a valve extender) but it wouldn't seal well and all the goop squirting out the side of the valve. I did seal the tire later with Stan's and it seemed to work.

I have carried the Hutchinson stuff in mtb races, but I don't know of anyone who does it in cross. but, I actually think it could be a good idea if you think a flat is likely. who else makes compressed sealant?

as Capital Cross on sunday I flatted my front tubbie, and rode almost a full lap to the pit to change bikes. but I lost a lot of spots, and it was pretty hairy on turns.

there were actually 2 pits- if I had wheels in the 2nd pit, that could have helped...

marc