Fifty Plus (50+) - Wife thinks we'll be fixing flats on our rides.

I'm telling her that whoever DOESN't get the flat drives back to the car and picks up the stranded rider.

Don't think it's realistic to carry a tire kit and pump for the type of riding we'll be doing.

I'm looking at 10-25 milers for the most part.

Who's being realistic?

Why would you not fix the flat? It's about a five-minute job (I can do it in less than four with a frame-fit pump, but I've done it hundreds of times). Apparently you're casual riders, which is fine, but that probably means 10-12 mph. So you're 10 miles out, and somebody's going to ride for an hour to the car, load the bike and drive back while the other person does...what? Sits on the curb? Pushes the bike to Starbuck's? What happens if the rescue rider goes five miles and HE has a flat?
what's not "realistic" about carrying a pump and patch kit? Flats are a part of cycling. I've had six on my 25-mile commute to work and nine in a single century. One summer, here in the land of big thorns, I averaged a flat every 30 miles (I used to keep a very detailed riding log). Realistically, I don't go out of sight of my house without a pump, spare tube and patch kit.

Your strategy will work just fine... until the "rescue" rider gets a flat on the way to the car.

What's not "realistic" about saving yourself 10 - 25 mile walk with a bit of kit that'll cost you maybe $20, fit in a sock, and weight less than a pound?

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't risk a lifetime's worth of "I told you so" from SWMBO when such a minor investment would prevent it

Fixing flats is not that big a deal. Why not take care of it on the spot?

colonel, i think we're all with wifey on this one. a flat kit is like an umbrella -- it will not rain if you're smart enough to bring it. get the patch kit and feel smug about never having to use it. except you will use it eventually.

...........
Who's being realistic?

Your Wife!!

Carry everything you need for emergency repairs, always.

If you're going to be riding our roads you can expect all kinds of mechanical difficulties. Crazy cars have been sliding into each other for the last three months leaving all sorts of debris out on the roadway to cut up your tires. The 'Pot Hole' crews have been out installing potholes all over the place hoping to break a few of your spokes.

The trails, oh my! They are littered with all kinds of wind blown goodies...everything from tree limbs to errant garbage which will do a real number on various parts of your drive trains when kicked up by your front wheel.

Be a good boy and listen to your bride. :)

P.S. When the weather improves, keep an eye out for a fat, grey bearded, crazy guy on a bike....and say Hi to me.

I disagree. You're right. Us guys are always right. But to be safe, I would go ahead and buy a couple pumps and patch kits, as well as a set of plastic levers. That way, you just shut her up. And if you do have a flat, you won't have to walk. You can even let her fix the flat! Tell her to be careful and not break a fingernail...


I'm not being sexist, am I?

The wife is right. Regardless you can be right................or you can be happy. Seems like you choose the former a lot.

Last summer I got 3 flats one afternoon riding the 17 miles home from work. Sometimes when it rains, it pours.

I'm tired of thorns. I'm riding a mountain bike on Marathon Plus road tires with the Kevlar belt, plus I have the thorn-resistant Slime tubes, plus a pump and patch kit. Plus, I keep a spare tube in my rear rack bag. Yeah, that's a ton of extra weight. But like I said, I'm tired of thorns!

The flat will need to be fixed at some point anyway. You'll have a more pleasant ride if you take the few minutes it takes to fix a flat, and just get it over with.

Well, I guess we're all going to pile on. Get a pump that fits on your frame, levers, spare tube and a patch kit. You can splurge and get a little bag for under the saddle or under the top tube, carry the stuff in a jersey pocket, stuff it into a water bottle or get a larger bag that will carry your picnic and spare clothes and stuff it in there. While you're at it, get a nice multi-tool with a chain tool on it. I did a fifteen mile walk of shame while my wife and her sister finished the fifty mile loop we were on once because I didn't bring a chain tool. If you get lucky, you'll never need to use this stuff. I'm not that lucky.

Perhaps your position is reasonable, but if you *do* get a flat at your furthest point out, you will hear about it FOREVER. Besides, how hard is it to carry an extra tube, a CO2 cartridge and inflator head, and tire levers?

Here is how it works on real life. If you ride 25 miles you will get your first flat on a hot day 12.5 miles from the car. If you leave your wife to go get the car when you get back to the car you will discover you locked your keys inside. When you do get back and retrieve your wife you will have given her several years of I told you so to live through. It is better to just bring something to fix the flat.

I'm telling her that whoever DOESN't get the flat drives back to the car and picks up the stranded rider.

Don't think it's realistic to carry a tire kit and pump for the type of riding we'll be doing.

I'm looking at 10-25 milers for the most part.

Who's being realistic?

Your wife is right.

Flats are NOT a big deal, and you will be a hero in your wife's eyes if you can calmly and with knowledge fix it. Better practice a bit to be able to do that.

A few years ago on an out of state tour I had three flats in less than two miles. Fix them and go on.

When you get the pump, get a Topeak Road Morph G. It has a foot peg and a hose, so it works like a floor pump and has a gauge. Carry a spare tube and a couple of tire levers. I've included a couple of GoJo towelettes in my kit. I got them at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Gets the grease off your hands easily. The first flat will naturally be a rear flat, and you'll get some grease on your hands.

You can be prepared for three flats and have four. You can be prepared for four and break a chain. You can carry chain repair and a crank arm will come loose. You can haul a portable bike shop and get hit by a truck. What do you consider "prepared enough"?

Carry flat repair because the odds of flatting are pretty high. But realize that, eventually, someone is going to have to walk home in the rain, alone.

Flats are easy to repair, but I hadn't the slightest idea how to do it until I went to a bike clinic at the lbs. If you aren't sure how to do it quickly, go to your lbs and have them show you the little tricks. Once I learned how, I just carry those two plastic thingies to get the tire off the rim (free from lbs), an extra tube (under $5), a couple of sticky patches (in case I get more than one flat) and CO2 cartriage with a tiny nozzle- no pump. CO2 is quick and easy. Why stop a nice ride for a little flat?

Flats are easy to repair, but I hadn't the slightest idea how to do it until I went to a bike clinic at the lbs. If you aren't sure how to do it quickly, go to your lbs and have them show you the little tricks. Once I learned how, I just carry those two plastic thingies to get the tire off the rim (free from lbs), an extra tube (under $5), a couple of sticky patches (in case I get more than one flat) and CO2 cartriage with a tiny nozzle- no pump. CO2 is quick and easy. Why stop a nice ride for a little flat?
Exactly. I look at a flat as kind of like breaking a bootlace on a hike. A minor nuisance, but a chance to rest for bit, take in the scenery, have a snack, etc.

Heck, my wife knows how to change tubes and fix a flat:thumb:

However, I do have to ask, " why does she always get to take the picture"?

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/Bike%20Trips/Flat-1.jpg
PS. Stick a pair of rubber gloves in your kit. Keeps hands clean.

If you have N+1 flats where N=the # of cartridges you have, you might want to have a pump with you. Just sayin'

Who's being realistic?

There is ironic comedy in the answer to your question.

Heck, my wife knows how to change tubes and fix a flat:thumb:

However, I do have to ask, " why does she always get to take the picture"?

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/Bike%20Trips/Flat-1.jpg
PS. Stick a pair of rubber gloves in your kit. Keeps hands clean.

+1 on the gloves. Rims are messy, at least if you live anywhere with hills, stop signs, rain, or dirt. I hate riding home with dirty hands and flats only happen when you are about to run out of water.

And the verdict is..... swallow your pride and go get the stuff to fix the flats. One of the side benefits of fixing flats on the ride is that sometimes you get to meet interesting folks. It's happened to me numerous times.

Fixing flats is so easy. Done it many times.

? Did Lance fix his own flats?

No, you wait for your support truck to come up and give you a new wheel. Or a new bike. Or you catch a lift on a journalist's motorcycle.

Last summer I got 3 flats one afternoon riding the 17 miles home from work. Sometimes when it rains, it pours.
I also had 3 flats in one day !! Sandspurs are evil !
As sugested, carry what you need to repair it. Carry an extra tube , also.

Shucks, I'm always late for the beatings! You wife is correct, fix the flat then ride on. If she packs up some snacks ahead of time, she can get them ready while you fix the flat.

Perhaps your position is reasonable, but if you *do* get a flat at your furthest point out, you will hear about it FOREVER.

This is so true, and it won't matter which of you has the flat and which goes back for the car. In one case you sent her on a forced march of a ride all by herself; in the other, you left her alone by the side of the road to wait, and wait, and wait. And wait.

Your wife is right!
Now listen to what others are saying....

Your wife is right. Be sure to tell her so whenever the opportunity presents itself. She will appreciate her choice in marrying a man smart enough and confident enough to know when he is wrong.

My guess is that you are not comfortable with tire repair. A little practice will soon set that right.

Even if you don't flat you will find plenty of riders on the side of the road/path/trail grateful for your assistance.

I didn't read the whole thread but to the OP, Huh? Why on earth wouldn't you fix the flat on the spot? It takes a few minutes, and you'll need to do it anyway. It's a basic part of riding.

Shoot, back riding in CA we'd get multiple flats on a 30 mile ride, mainly due to thorns. Out here in New England, flats have been rare, but I still wouldn't think of going out without a pump, tube, and stick-on patches.

Your wife is right. Be sure to tell her so whenever the opportunity presents itself. She will appreciate her choice in marrying a man smart enough and confident enough to know when he is wrong.

My guess is that you are not comfortable with tire repair. A little practice will soon set that right.

Even if you don't flat you will find plenty of riders on the side of the road/path/trail grateful for your assistance.

This is an important point. Bike riders (especially older ones) form a community. You can benefit someone else if you're prepared to help them out in a pinch [flat].

One other thing, make certain that your wife is familiar with how to remove a wheel, tire, and replace a tube, remount, operate the pump and re-install. She may be out riding with friends one day when you're not there, and she can be the hero.

Good luck! Phil G.

Do you and your wife ride together on the same road\trail? Do you ride over the same road debris? Like broken glass, thorns? Do you think you just may both get flats at the same time? Do you walk to the car then? Learn to fix a flat, and carry a pump. But most important of all, keep the wife happy.

If you have N+1 flats where N=the # of cartridges you have, you might want to have a pump with you. Just sayin'

^^^^^This is very wise. ^^^^

You never run out of air with a pump.

I'm telling her that whoever DOESN't get the flat drives back to the car and picks up the stranded rider.

Don't think it's realistic to carry a tire kit and pump for the type of riding we'll be doing.

I'm looking at 10-25 milers for the most part.

Who's being realistic?

What type of riding is that? Glass, thorns, and other tube-puncturing debris can be found on any type of trail or road. With respect to the miles, say you get a flat at mile 26. The bike (and thorn, for that matter) doesn't know how many miles you rode prior to the flat --- it's just at the wrong place at the wrong time, and that place could be 1/2 mile into the start as well as the end.

If a man says something and a woman is not around to correct him, is he still wrong? Your wife is right.

Just carry a couple of extra tubes, and also a small patch kit. I also have a frame pump.

But, last fall it broke on me! Fortunately mrs az came out to get me.

The other thing you can do is repair the tube when you get back home and carry it as a spare.

Were you never a Boy Scout? It costs so little to be prepared just in case you need to be able to repair a flat tire. It just doesn't make sense to go out unequipped.

If you have N+1 flats where N=the # of cartridges you have, you might want to have a pump with you. Just sayin'

Yes. And it follows logically that if you're going to carry the pump anyway, there's no reason to carry the CO2 inflator.

Here I am doing an on-the-tire fix of one of FIVE flats that I got on a ride in Colorado. It was my introduction to goathead thorns.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CR4yNJ2gHAo/SguD1p5QqrI/AAAAAAAAA6k/9hNXAThbCOw/s1600/ArchesToLoma%2B027.jpg

Yes. And it follows logically that if you're going to carry the pump anyway, there's no reason to carry the CO2 inflator.

Here I am doing an on-the-tire fix of one of FIVE flats that I got on a ride in Colorado. It was my introduction to goathead thorns.

Al, don't you realize you are baiting the goatheads by fixing your flat with your bike on the grass? I can picture the goatheads creeping and crawling through the grass towards your tires. They are pure evil!

If a man says something and a woman is not around to correct him, is he still wrong? Your wife is right.

If a man says something in the forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong anyway?
If a woman says something in the forest and there is no man around to hear her, does he still have to do it anyway?

The best and safest threads to reply to are the ones where you are absotively, posilutely sure of the answer!

I'd never expect my wife to ride back "alone". Heck, what kind of Colonel leads his troops into battle unprepared?:roflmao2:

At minimum, one should carry a spare tube and a c02 inflator (if you dont want to carry a pump). Chances are you will never have to use it, but then there is always Murphy's law.

Al, don't you realize you are baiting the goatheads by fixing your flat with your bike on the grass? I can picture the goatheads creeping and crawling through the grass towards your tires. They are pure evil!

Yes. I went back and read my blog entry, and realized that we had 8 flats, not 5. I had never heard of goathead thorns before. I think I could have avoided some of the flats if I'd known.

http://carbiketrip.blogspot.com/2009/05/arches-to-loma-co.html

Yes. I went back and read my blog entry, and realized that we had 8 flats, not 5. I had never heard of goathead thorns before. I think I could have avoided some of the flats if I'd known.

http://carbiketrip.blogspot.com/2009/05/arches-to-loma-co.html

We have special goatheads reserved for visitors to Colorado. And, they have little brains and are impossible to avoid if they really want to get you. And, they read this forum.

Maybe the OP got stranded with a flat.

Being from the east I have no experience with goatheads. How do they end up on the pavement?