darkwing7

Hi everyone,
This is probably a very simple question, and I know how to remove the tire and such, all except for the part where I have to inflate the inner tube while I'm on the road. I know they sometimes sell hand held pumps, but they are still quite large and won't fit in my saddle bag. Do people seriosly carry one of these with them everytime they go out?

HillRider

Frame fit pumps that fit between the bottom bracket and seat tube/top tube junction or under the top tube are available and work well.

Smaller "mini-pumps" clip onto brackets that mount beneath water bottle cages are smaller and lighter but not as efficient.

Super small pumps that fit in a jersey pocket or a small saddle bag are smaller and lighter still but take A LOT of strokes to inflate a tube.

Finally, CO2 inflators that ues either threaded (expensive) or threadless (much cheaper) CO2 cartridges can also be used and are fast and light.

"Do people seriously carry one of these with them every time they go out?" You betcha.

FlatFender

I sure do. Walking home is not an option.
Ive got a mini-pump thats mounted under a water bottle cage.

darkwing7

I've heard you can ride back slowly...does that take a lot of skill or harm the rim etc? Not that I'm plannning on doing that but I dont see where to get these things...any suggestions?

darkwing7

Also, how hard is it to pry off the tire with your hands? They seem to suggest using a tire lever tool.

JBS103

I wouldn't suggest leaving home without a tire lever. You can get a set that stack together and are no bigger than your thumb (although the bigger, sometimes the more easier to handle). They certainly come in handy and are very easy to carry with you. It isn't something I would skip out on.

FlatFender

yes it will harm the rim, and no it is not safe.
bring a:
pump
tube
tire lever(s)
Patches

at the very least on every ride.

oilman_15106

Don't leave home without it(a pump and repair kit that is). A 7 mile walk back to my car was a hard lesson to learn.

HillRider

Yes it will harm the rim and you really can't ride on a flat tire more than a few hundred feet just to get to a safe spot to pull off the road. If it's a front tire, it's even more difficult and dangerous to ride on.

You can get a suitable pump, tire levers, spare tube and patch kit at ANY bike shop or from the mail order bike dealers like Nashbar, Performance, Jenson, etc. The prices are low and they are truly necessities.

The only other option is to carry a cell phone and make your problem into someone else's problem.

zac

darkwing, I would suggest finding an LBS or some local rider who can show/guide you through the process. Start from scratch. Changing out a flat tire for the first time is not something you want to be doing (learning about for the 1st time) on the road.

Yes, I can change/fix a tire/tube without a tire lever, but I STILL CARRY AT LEAST ONE LEVER on every ride. A pump is as essential as the tires themselves. A clincher cannot be ridden flat. You will destroy the tire, and you will destroy the rim. (At least for narrow road bike tires/rims). A spare tube AND a patch kit are also essential.

blamp28

On every ride I carry:
Tube
Tire Levers
Multi Tool
Pump
Co2 for quick fixes. - I have had to change tubes in impromptu storms to get home.

DMF 

Nasssty tubesses !!

www.airfreetires.com
www.amerityre.com
www.flatfreeusa.com

sch

Save weight and hassle, just carry a cell and an MP3
to while away the wait. That's what the ladies do.

HillRider

Ever ride on any of these? I think I'd rather put up with an occasional flat.

dafydd

ouch! a little sexist but a good poke all the same.

freako

OK, I'm confused; you say you know how to remove the tire and such but don't know how or what to use to inflate it? Yet removing a tire and such is more difficult in comparison to pumping a tire. ARE YOU KIDDING US? You are aren't you? If your not then get another hobby because obviously this one is too complicated for you.

darkwing7

Hey everyone thanks for your help. Yea I hate to feed stereotypes but I am a lady and I do do the cellphone thing, (no ipod yet), but I realized I'd rather just be more independent. And I really don't think there was any reason to get mad at me, this is my first year riding a real road bike so NO, i am not kidding you. Maybe if you read my post in the way I wrote it to be read you would interprete it like every other english speaking person and know I meant I don't know what to use for a pump while I'm on the road. It's not like I can sling my standing pump over my shoulder on every ride.

But in all honesty, I have yet to change my tire once, I merely read the instructions for doing so. That's what I meant by "know." Happy now mr over-belligerent-rider? And no I won't find a new hobby because I kind of like this one, as well as swimming and running.

sch

Well, DW7, my original snide remark was based on 7yrs observation riding with the distaff
side, generally about 3-4 males per female or more. Never see a tire pump mounted and
under seat bags, if any not larger than 2-3x cell phone size and nothing in the back pockets among the ladies.
Tires can be pumped up with hand pumps but getting pressures above 70-80# takes a lot
of patience and upper body strenght, especially with the shorty pumps designed for mounting
on the waterbottle cage screws. If you are pump inclined a Topeak road morph, preferably with
the foot peg foldout type is recommended as you can step on the peg and put your upper
body into it sort of like the home type pump. The Zefal HP X or ASV is one of the few smaller
women can likely use to get tires above 80#. Mounting either of these on road bikes 50cm
or under is a bit chancy but I think the Zefal is made in a size to fit under the top tube depending
on bike construction. CO2 inflators work well assuming everything goes well, you don't leak all the
gas out and have practiced its use at home. I have been on one ride where for whatever reason
all 4 (4!) cartridges were used without inflating the tube. You really really need to have someone
not only show you how these devices are used but practice the entire method at home. Wrestling
a rear wheel back in place can be a hassle. Riding a 110# tire inflated to 70# home is a recipe for
pinch flats. Many road pumps are just not designed to be used, in my experience one can use up 2.5
or 3 arms pumping up a tire to 110# even with the pumps mentioned. You need to find this out in advance. I carry two plastic
Park tire levers, a patch kit and typically two spare, occasionally three spare tubes in addition to
a pump on all rides. About once every 2yrs I need all three tubes. And since I was
given a cell last xmas (my first) I have used it 2-3x to get bailed out when I couldn't
fix a flat, or it starts raining at 50F ride temps.

sch

One other thing, this is something worth checking LBS and clubs out for,
basic bike maintenance classes are a frequent perk, free or nominal cost.
Shops in my area do this twice a year, usually couple hrs 2-3x over a month
or so. Tire change and repair are always covered. If you are in a club
agitate for such a class.

darkwing7

Thanks sch, yea Ｉwill look into all the above. I have a 50 cm top tube, so maybe I have a chance with all the above pumps. I doubt my bike shop has classes since they're more like an all sport shop rather than a dedicated bike shop, and the guys there are not too friendly. I could just try to find more guy cyclist friends I suppose...too bad they hate riding at my speed. Pfffft.

doghouse

+1 to sch.

Go to your local bike shop and ask them to teach you to change out a flat. Most are happy to help to get the sales of pumps and tubes.

operator

Uh. What bike shops would these be. The mechanics aren't paid to teach people how to fix bikes, they're paid to fix bikes.

Applehead57

I attach my mini-pump with big rubber bands to my seat. Not attractive, but it works and doesn't move around.