yeah the flat tire in the cold syndrome.i just got a Ibera rack today, got hung up on the freight train in Leavenworth WA for 3 days as Stevens Pass got hammered last week.
anxiety level has already dropped and i have not even taken this setup on it's first ride.
anxiety about what?
1) did i bring everything i need to fix a flat?
2) what if the new tube gets punctured by what punctured the old tube?
3) is there a spoke sticking into the tube area such that the new tube will get punctured
4) what if the plastic tire irons snap from the cold?
5 will the new tube be any good?
6) will there be too big a hole in the tire to keep the new tube from puncturing?
7) will the CO2 inflator function properly?
8) what if the CO2 inflator blows the tire off the bead?
9) will my hands function in the cold?
10) if i can not get the flat fixed, will my cell phone work
11) if the phone works, will i be able to use it at night in the freezing rain?
12) if i get a call placed, will anybody pick up?
13) will a cab want to come out into the middle of nowhere on a rainy night?
14) do i have money for a cab, will they trust me to pay them when i get home?
15) will i go into hypothermia while fixing the flat?
16) will i be able to ride while shaking violently?
17) are the mountain lions and coyotes hungry tonight?
ok maybe you can add a few, the point is, flat anxiety grows worse with the cold, rain, snow, and night time.
so what to do? spare wheel. it is flat round here so weight is not a problem. single speed to save weight.
packing a little extra weight is better than freezing to death or having a cold weather heart attack.
and i will only use3e this in extreme conditions, ie long night rides in freezing rain.
and extra weight build strong muscle when we hop on the good weather road bike!
i have to get some toe straps , right now, just to see if i had pedal clearance, i used some tie wraps.
i padded the rack and frame at the three contact points. took it on a test ride and it works! i am happy, what about the front wheel? just have to take that gamble and hope the odds are with me. got all the stuff in the saddle pack ready to go if the front goes.
one good thing about the spare is that it covers other wheel problems like broken spokes and axles and freehub issues.
