gforeman 

So I start out on a 25 miler today, and around 5 miles I hear a clacking, thought I had broken a spoke. Something in the side of the back tire was hitting the brakes as it came around. It was brown, looked like a thorn. Pulled it out, and it kept coming. 1" nail.

Didn't have any repair kit with me, wifey came in the SUV, and I took it direct to the LBS. I knew they could fix it quicker than me, and it was 90 today, and I wanted to ride!

Bike is a Trek Madone 3.1, and has about 1K on it (got it at the end of last year). Chris looks at the entrance wound and says he will look closer after it's off the rim.

Well, you could see through the hole, and recommended I replace the tire. Upon closer examination, I had already worn that tire to the cord. I ride kind of hard and make really hard sweeping turns on some of my rides. This is the least miles I ever got out of a set though.

Decided to get a pair of new tires if I'm going to do it. Front has some life left in it, so will keep it as a spare if something happens on a weekend or something, along with the old tube. I ended up with Gatorskins (good?)

Needless to say, in less than 1/2 hour, I was back on the road. Wallet was a little over $100 lighter, but I can't complain. I ride the heck out of this thing. The fact that they dropped what they were working on, and got me back on the road quick is why I will always support them.

My ride was shortened to 20 miles...I'll make it up tomorrow

OKIE_55

I like my LBS for the same reason, my BB was a little loose after 1600 miles, they tightened it up right away. They said they take care of the peeps that take care of them, bought my bike there.

TrojanHorse

If it happens again and you have your repair kit with you (you will, right?) you can slip a dollar or something between the tube and tire where the nail hole is and ride on it.

gforeman 

No, I probably won't

I don't usually have the stuff with me on my daily 25 milers, because I know the wifey can always pick me up, and I'd rather do it at home with the bike in the clamp. Today was different, because I was pretty sure the tire was shot, and wanted to get back to the ride as quick as possible, so off to the LBS. Even though it's a 25 mile ride, I'm never more than 8-10 miles from home.

Now when I am on vacation and doing some long rides, I have spare tubes, tools, pump, the works.

I did roll up the tube from the front tire deflated, and was able to stuff it in my little seat pack with the little tool kit, but I don't have a pump. I'll work on that, maybe a CO2 thingy.

chefisaac

To be frank, that is not a good decision. You should carry a tube, patch kit, etc. They do not weight much and can be used in a saddle bag. Take responsibility when you ride and carry the things that will make you a success at fixing things on the road.

TrojanHorse

Have a nice walk home when you're out and stuck and she's doing something more important to her than waiting for you to call.

gforeman 

She is NEVER doing anything more important!

BTW, how many O2 cartridges should one carry? I just ordered some.

NWS Alpine

One cartridge is enough if you know how to use it. Two if you don't and dump the first one. Know how your co2 chuck works. You should always carry that stuff because if you don't need it you might be able to save someones day that is stranded. It's funny how many people are hopeless with flats. See them sitting on the side of the road waiting as I drive by. The ones with really expensive bikes are usually the worst

dcrowell

Flats happen. Just be glad it wasn't a massive nail that also punctured your rim.

TrojanHorse

I recommend carrying CO2 cartridges instead of the impossible-to-find O2 variety. I think I have two or three because when you get one flat, it's buddy is right behind. They're light. And I'll probably screw it up when I try to use it so I need a spare.

10 Wheels

Get a Topeak Road Morph Pump.
CO 2 does not alway work.

Man Up and quit calling your wife.

volosong

1,000 miles on a tire and it's down to the cords!!?! That nuts!

I still grumble to myself that my bike tires only get about 1/10 the mileage that my car tires gets, and they cost the same amount.

gforeman 

My last Trek, I got over 2k on the stock tires, but they seemed a little hardier than the ones that came on my Madone. These were slicks to begin with. I didn't think they would last long, but longer than that. The Gatorskins seem to ride really nice.

gforeman 

Keeps her on her toes

I've tried the pocket sized pumps and never had any luck with them.

I got this CO2 thingy https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Desig.../dp/B003M2PNGY

...and a 12 pack of 16 Gram CO2 cartridges if it makes you guys feel better.

chefisaac

You need to carry two. Sometimes you get duds and there is a place that sells at wholesale prices so next time let me know and I can shoot you the info..

contango 

I'd rather fix my bike at home in the warm and dry when I've got a full toolset on hand than out in the field where I have to flip it over and only have the tools I can fit in a wedge bag. Even so, for me calling someone to come and get me is an absolute last resort, not the first line of fallback if anything goes wrong.

Personally I wouldn't assume my wife has nothing better to do than wait around for me to call. The one (and only, so far) time I did get a puncture I was about 4 miles from home and within about 200 yards of a friend's house. At that point I had changed a tyre once in my life (which was a routine replacement of a worn out tyre) but despite this lack of experience I was still up and running again within about 15 minutes. No need to bother my friend for a ride, no need to call my wife (who I think was out anyway), all nice and easy.

A spare tube, multitool and basic pump don't take up a whole lot of space. I use a Topeak Morph pump (I forget which one it is offhand) which was fine to inflate a 700x28 tyre to about 80psi.

LAE

Haha I like how the majority of people are commenting on how he treats his wife's time.

Gatorskins are very good, nice grip in the wet and very puncture resistant (not sure I'd it'll stop that nail tho), I'm not really a fan of the co2 because of the limited uses, a pump will always pump but when they're spent they're spent. A pump n repair kit for emergencies is always best, by all means call ur mrs if you want but if u can't get through, dead phone battery etc at least you'll still get home. Spending hrs walking home is longer than 20 minutes fixing a flat.

gforeman 

I paid $12.66 for a dozen 16-gram cartridges. where do you get yours?

BTW, I'm on 32 years of being married this year, so don't think I treat my wife bad. I'm only kidding

IBOHUNT

As Chef said, carry two. The last thing I want to do is call someone to come get me
In my seat bag I carry

Spare tube
patch kit
2- CO2 cartridges and the inflator
box top from the tube to cover any small tear in the tire
$10 bill
Multi-tool
1 tire lever

And I have room left over for my iPhone
Have a small pump mounted on the seat tube