bernmart

Hardly a big deal, but: I'm on a group ride the other day, when a very strong, veteran rider flats. He pulls out his spare tube, but it turns out to be a patched one that leaks. So he asks for a tube, and I give him one of mine (I usually carry two). Feeling annoyed with himself (I think), he changes tubes quickly and efficiently, and we all ride on.

Here's the question: should I expect him to replace the tube he borrowed (what I would do, by instinct); or pass one along to some other guy down the road in similar circumstances to restore ethical balance to the universe, or....? Is there an etiquette to such things? He hasn't said anything at all.

East Hill

I know they're not that expensive, but personally I would expect that someone I know (and from the wording, would expect to ride with again) would at least offer to replace the tube.

East Hill

maddyfish

I'd expect a replacement tube.

apclassic9

He should replace the tube without you asking. Same for Big Air cannisters & Gu packs.

Saintly Loser

Someone you know should at least offer to replace the tube. Helping a stranger is a different story, of course, but if I were given a tube by a stranger on the road, I'd offer to pay for it. I'd offer more than once, and really press the stranger to take the money.

Funny story -- last summer I was riding, solo, from Manhattan to Nyack (a popular weekend day ride for lots of city-bound cyclists here in NYC). On the return leg of the trip, I came a cross a woman with a flat. She too was riding solo. She had no patch kit, no pump, no spare tube, no tools, nothing. I guess this would be expected from a novice cyclist (although novice cyclists don't usually attempt 50-60 mile rides solo), but she was riding an expensive carbon-fiber bike, was fully kitted out in cycling gear, and appeared extremely fit, and as I worked on her flat, talked about other long rides she'd been on, including a bunch of New York group or charity rides. I don't think she was a novice.

Anyway, I patched her tube for her, pumped it up, and off she rode. She actually told me, as I was working on her tube, that she'd never patched a tube and had no idea how it was done. I wonder if she really was that clueless, or if she'd always just worked the "damsel in distress" routine and gotten other people to take care of her problems?

Hobartlemagne 

You should have tactfully told him your expectations before giving him a tube.

apclassic9

When you know the person, etiquitte is a return. Otherwise, the "pay it forward" principle applies, and you might expect a replacement tube as a matter of good karma sometime in the future when you really need one.

blickblocks

Unfortunately, this is quite common...

bernmart

It is common. One of the most delightful guys in our club rides without tools, spare tubes, anything. He's Asian, and claims it's Zen in the art of bicycling. He's also very funny. Others claim that their repair kit is their cell phone!

maddyfish

She worked you over. My wife does the same thing. I was going to get her a pump, patch kit, spare tubes, and she said " what for?" I said to fix her flats. She said " That's what men are for"

solveg

I distinctly remember the day I lost my girlish charm. I was in my late 20's, got a flat tire on my car, and waited for the inevitable male to stop and help me. He did, but instead of changing my tire, he insisted on teaching* me how to do it myself. I smiled throughout, but inwardly I was irritated. OK, I was actually pissed off.

I wish I could run into the guy now... I'd thank him and buy him lunch. It made me think about my reliance on men, made me watch my tire pressure better, taught me to become more self-sufficient in many areas of my life, and made me realize the day was coming where guys weren't going to be racing over to help me.

I'll bet I still think about this guy a couple times a year, 15 years later.

Thanks, Dude. Wherever you are.

Oh, and about the guy replacing your tube? Don't worry about it. You wouldn't have not helped him if you were worried he wouldn't replace it, right? Consider it a gift, forget about it, and be happy if he offers to replace it. He probably will, and if he doesn't-- well, you'll still help out the next person, right?

chevy42083

I have several thousand miles, and have never needed to patch a tube, been on several 60+ mile rides. Then again, I could do it if I needed to

I too often ride with out the fix-it stuff. It'll bite me one of these days.

caloso

Ah don't worry about it. It's just a tube. Ride on.

JeeperTim

I bought repair stuff and a pump when I started riding further than I was willing to walk back from pushing my bike. Never needed it yet (knock on wood) but I still carry it.

I'd expect a new tube in return - but not be surprised if it does not come. If he don't pay up, just mark it down in your little book of "things I know about some people" in your mind. Don't change your ways because someone else is a jerk - be who you are.

backinthesaddle

I would never expect a tube in return.

I would expect the person I helped to help someone else in the future.

But no way to tell whether they will or won't.

akatsuki

I have a bit more harsh view. He owes you a tube and a beer. Call it field-replacement rates.

If it was someone I didn't know, then totally pay-it-forward.

Phantoj

I grab tubes at Performance for about two bucks. If you need mine, you can have it.

Same with a gel pack... I'd would never expect a payback for food given to another rider. It's just not a big enough deal to care about.

lima_bean

Wouldnt really expect it.. tubes are just one of those things... Someday when I am lacking a tube someone else will give one to me... Ill try to replace it, but doesnt really seem like a big deal.

GV27

Yeah, but it's just good manners. I wouldn't get mad if somebody didn't replace something like that and I wouldn't ask for it. But like I said, it's bad manners not to and I would definitely make a mental note.

That said, if he did offer to replace it I'd just say - "nah, fix up somebody else down the road...."

I-Like-To-Bike

I'd expect the borrower of the tube to replace it. The same as if the friend borrowed money. It would hardly be acceptable for the friend to repay somebody else instead of me.

solveg

That's why I never loan money to friends. It's always a gift. If they want to repay it, they can. The few people I've done this with have not* paid it back.

The nice thing about doing this is that it keeps them from ever* asking you for money again, and it keeps me from loaning them more than I would spend on them if I took them out for a birthday dinner.

Bill Kapaun

If some bailed me out, I'd gladly remunerate them somehow!
Would THAT guy have offered HIS tube to a needy rider?

ken cummings

Same to him doubled. A friend gave me his spare which already had 3 patches. It went flat minutes later as I hadn't found the cause of the flat. me bad. He will get his tube back, patched, and another tube I found on the roadside and patched.

Coyote2

It's just an inner tube. Be grateful that you were able to do a favor.

Shavit

Quote from Solveg:
"Oh, and about the guy replacing your tube? Don't worry about it. You wouldn't have not helped him if you were worried he wouldn't replace it, right? Consider it a gift, forget about it, and be happy if he offers to replace it. He probably will, and if he doesn't-- well, you'll still help out the next person, right?"

i like this answer. he may be under the impression (and rightfully so if you guys are friends) that he'll just help you out when you need it ...