Well it finally happened to me. I was 3 miles into a nice ride yesterday when I flatted my rear tire. No problem. I changed the tube, inflated it with my CO2 charger, and off I went. I considered cruising back to the house (I only carry one tube and cartridge) but decided that the odds were in my favor and continued on with my planned route. 4 miles later, I got my second flat. With no extra tubes, cartridges or friends, I took the seven mile walk of shame.
I have a mini pump that I retired for CO2, but I couldn't help wonder if a pump and some patches could've saved me some grief. What do you guys stash in your emergency kit? Do you patch tubes or just carry more than one? Which patch kits work best?

Why carry a whole tube anyway. A patch job only takes a few minutes to do and you have the equivalent of a couple of tubes in one small box (Rema) of patches and vulcanizing glue that also takes much less room in your seat pack. Never did feel good depending on CO2 cartridges as they are a finite supply, while a pump will give you all the air you want for your tires......

Chombi

I carry probably more than is necessary, but it's for two bikes at once.

I carry a 28-32 schrader tube (wife's bike) and a 35-42 presta tube (my bike), a vulcanizing kit, a self adhesive kit, 4 CO2 cartridges and a mini pump...

Overkill for certain, but the day i flat all 4, I'll be happy

This is one reason I prefer a frame pump. That, and I don't like the disposable aspect of CO2.

I carry at least one and usually two tubes, as well as a patch kit. I like the cheap ones that come with glue. I've had very spotty luck with those self-adhesive patches.

I carry a Puncture Kit and pump, tho I have the green goo in my front tyre which makes punctures easy to spot anyway tho I have only had one in that tyre.

I carry a spare tube as my first resort and a patch kit just in case. I've needed the patch kit once or twice. Frame pump because I like having an unlimited supply of air for when I experience those multiple flats, and I don't need to buy cartridges.

Never had any problems using those cheapy patch kits by Rema. I did notice that some people have had spotty luck with them (including my brother who can never successfully install a patch since the 80's!), but I think it all comes down to how careful you are when you do the patch job. The most important thing is to keep your fingers and the area you are patching as clean and dry as possible. I know it's hard to do when you are on the road, but it might be a good idea to throw in a few of those alcohol hand wipe packets you can get in restaurants in your underseat bag so you can do a clean patch job.

Chombi

I always carry a tube or two and I almost always bring patches (often self-adhesive) just in case. Generally I do my patching at home, and if I used a self-adhesive on the road, I usually rip it off and patch correctly at home. I always bring a pump and rarely use CO2. I go pumpless and bring CO2 for triathlons but I have never flatted in a race (probably just jinxed myself).

I carry a patch kit , a tube , and 2 jugs of co2. The mini pumps I've tried just weren't worth a darn. I'm thinking about going back to a pump though , partly because of the waste of the spent co2 cartridge . I saw a guy use a Lezyne (sp?) pump that looks like a mini floor pump, and it worked swell.

I'm like you.

I do the walk after one cartridge.
Forget the danger.
Think of the fun.

one tube + cell phone. my longest walk was about that same 7 miles . didn't have the phone.

I used to carry a patch kit, tube, $bill, and 3 CO2 cartridges. The tube is for blowouts that need booting.

One day I found a used Silca Impero at the LBS, in the right size and color for my frame.
It weighs less than 3 CO2 cartridges and looks better too, so I upgraded.

That's why I LOVE THIS PUMP , it mounts to water bottle braze on's too.

if im walking something went drastically wrong. Like I broke a chain or a derailleur exploded and I couldn't get it back together. It's common to see noobs and or racers walking home because they were too cool to carry a pump or didn't know how to use their c02. I'll usually offer to help them as ill have a pump of some sort, a tube and a well stocked patch kit. If I'm feeling really lazy I'll just put in a new tube and patch the flat tube later, but the time different in patching vs changing a tube isn't so much that it matter so much.btw the key to doing a good patch is letting the glue dry before you apply the patch.

I carry a tube and hope someone else on the ride has a pump.... Not the smartest approach.


I flatted on tubeless in a mtb race last year and carried the bike the remaining 2/3 of the race just to say I finished. It was a bit of a walk of shame as everyone went by me.

I also carry a frame pump, self adhesive patches, patch kit, quik stik or speed lever, tire boot, and a new tube. I nearly always just patch the tube with the patch kit, but there was one time when there was so much noise from traffic where I was I resorted to the new tube and did the patch at home. Everything I carry takes up very little room. I like to be responsible, not rely on others and prevent worse case situations. Another thing to carry is a mass transit ride pass if it would be useful where you ride. Having one in the wallet can sometimes provide a last ditch bailout in cases serious mechanical failure.

2 tubes, 2 co2s, patch kit, and frame pump!

I don't have these problems!

One walk of shame was enough!

^+1, self-sufficiency is key. I'm usually on tubulars, so that's especially the case. If you get stranded on the side of the road with clinchers you can usually wait it out for a more prepared cyclist to come along and borrow their pump, maybe even a patch or, if the other chap is willing, offer to buy a spare tube. With tubulars you have to think you are on your own. I carry a spare tubular and a needle and thread from a Velox kit along with a REMA patch kit, Silca pump, plus a cell phone and some cash in case "something drastic went wrong."

Still, most of us have done the walk of shame. Sometimes I'll take my chances on short errands. Not fun to walk home in bare feet with cleats hanging off the brake hoods. Still better than the call of shame. In my youth, before cell phones, a few times I was stranded with a rear flat and I'd move the good tube from the front to the rear and ride home while leaning back and pulling up on the bars. Not great for the sidewalls, but it gets you home.

Patches, one tube, frame pump. I carry a Lezyne mini in my jersey pocket if I'm on a bike where my Topeak frame pump doesn't fit.

Two years ago, riding the KATY Trail, I flatted about 45 minutes into seven day tour. Discovered I'd brought everything except for my frame pump (duh.) No worries, though - I had my handy CO2 kit. First cartridge fizzled. Second one wouldn't puncture. That was a long walk back to a town that had a bike shop to purchase a pump at. Never again!

My little friend:



About the size of two CO2 cartridges.

Silca frame pump, two tubes, one folding tire, one patch kit, Presta to Schraeder adapter and 3 tire irons.

On my commute I carry a pretty comprehensive set of tools & spares. Tire specific items include:

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On my fun rides, I live a little more dangerously. In a small stem bag, I carry:

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I also carry a piece of ID & of course, a cellphone. Worst case, call for a taxi.

Cell phone taxi.

i usually have a patch kit and levers with me, and if i'm gonna be more than a mile or two from my house i throw a small frame pump and a spare tube in my backpack

the tires i ride (kenda k838) are pretty thick and i've only gotten one flat in the last year so for short trips i don't worry too much about it. most of my riding is within a few mile radius of my house anyways

one time i flatted my rear, then got a slow leak in replacement tube. my buddy used up all his co2 refilling the tube, then had to stop and pump every 15 mins lol.

Pump, tube, and patch kit here. The tube is fast, the patch kit is light insurance for a second flat.

I save my walking for broken chains. I broke one Sunday climbing a sizable grade. Very fortunately, I was a block away from a shop that was open on a Sunday morning. I don't carry a chain tool or spare link, probably should, I doubt I'll be that lucky twice.