Doge

I remember when I road with no cell phones. I still carry multiple spares because I do.
Kid goes out - no spares. I told him, I'd be busy and not able to assist. He made some comment he never caries spares anymore, just calls an Uber if there is a problem. Seems not to have problems.

TiHabanero

There really is something to "What? Me worry?"

Gyro

Same, my wife with the bike rack.

Sy Reene

It's a given.. bring 3 spare tubes, you'll use them all. Bring none, you won't use one.

Maelochs

You can take an Uber, but the driver is going to want it back.

jefnvk

Thats cool for him, but despite living in the Detroit metro area, smack dab between two cities which do, I don't have Uber service in my immediate vicinity. This despite living on a road very popular with cyclists.

TimothyH

I wouldn't know how to call Uber.

Don't you need an app or something? I don't even know my password to the app store.

My daughters say Lyft is better in ATL.

Maelochs

Everything works until it fails.

I have used up all my tubes in a ride. bad day, but it can happen. i might laugh at Mr. "call an Uber," but I might be making that call some day.

I'd rather spend ten or 15 minutes changing a tube than spend however much it costs to get a ride. others, who knows?

Funny, though. I have "tubeless-ready" wheels and ties on a couple bikes but don't run tubeless on them (long story.) Because of that, wrestling the tires off the rims is a Bear, a big ugly 45-minute bear sometimes. One night I was sitting under a streetlight breaking tire levers when a car pulled up. Turns out one of my riding buddies ... drives an Uber part time.

i didn't take a ride, but it was sort of comical .. and it is always nice to have someone to laugh with after breaking a tire lever taking 40 minutes to get a damned tire off a wheel.

hillyman

Goat head thorns taught me to be prepared for anything. But in severe circumstances I'd have to debate with myself taxi vs uber. The insurance issue makes me wonder about uber and the other services. Seems like would require a commercial level insurance. Doubt they have.

fullergarrett

Uber and other ride-sharing apps haven't made it to my corner of the world, yet. And I don't have anybody to call in case I flat or have difficulties.

With that being said, I've only recently started carrying a spare tube, wrench and tire levers with me - so that I can fix a flat tire. With my new bike I'm hoping to get a multi-tool with almost every tool I'd need to repair the bike.

I used to live in Boonville (Missouri) and often rode the Katy Trail. Many parts of the trail have limited to no cell reception. There was a time I flatted about 10 or so miles out on the trail, on my '81 Pinnacle. The sun was quickly setting, and I didn't have a cell phone, spare tube, or no tools. I managed to limp back home by riding the bike (a road bike) on the trail with a flat tire. I got back, but I was sore. Unfortunately, that part of the trail had some fairly big rocks.

That was not the first time I had a flat on the trail.

And it's no surprise why those rims are all bent and damaged beyond repair today...

Doge

Anyone ever used this? https://www.usacycling.org/resources...ide-assistance

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
USA Cycling, Inc. offers 24/7 roadside assistance benefits to all active SILVER & GOLD members. This coverage can be used as often as needed for each member. Coverage is provided for registered cyclists and their bicycles on any road, anytime, throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Roadside assistance can be reached at 877-897-0331. This benefit includes:

• Transportation Assistance - If the bicycle becomes inoperable, the bicycle and rider will be transported to the nearest qualified service facility or to any location requested by the insured up to 20 miles per occurrence. The cost for any additional transportation over this 20 mile benefit limit will be at the customer’s expense.
• Extrication Assistance - Provides assistance with extricating the bicycle when stuck in a ditch, or other inaccessible area, in which such location is within 50 feet of a paved maintained road or highway.
• Flat Tire Assistance - If the bicycle is rendered immobile as the result of a flat tire, a service provider will be dispatched with commonly available tools upon request or have your bicycle transported. We do not deliver bicycle equipment (i.e. bicycle tires).
• Locked-out Assistance - Due to the inability to verify ownership of the bicycle we do not dispatch a service provider to free a locked bike. However, should you secure the service on your own to free your locked bicycle; you may submit a claim for reimbursement for up to $50.

Please allow 5-7 business days from your membership purchase / renewal date for this benefit to become active. Please keep in mind that this service is unlimited usage per member, but wait times are in line with other vehicle roadside assistance providers so should be used only when necessary.

Maelochs

It costs $65 for silver membership ... and probably less to call a cab.

Plus 9or miuns) there is This: "Flat Tire Assistance - If the bicycle is rendered immobile as the result of a flat tire, a service provider will be dispatched with commonly available tools upon request or have your bicycle transported. We do not deliver bicycle equipment (i.e. bicycle tires)."

So for $65 you will show up and tell me that it is a shame i got three flats and only carried two tubes? Sure. i can see no tires ... but tubes? patches? Tire boots? plus 80 percent of the bikes on the road have or can fit about one of five tire sizes ....

I am sure there are otehr benefits to joining though ... but Triple A seems like a better investment.

Doge

Extrication Assistance tho

wipekitty

Oh, to be back in civilization!

There's a little radius of Uber/Lyft around my house. Further out, no Uber/Lyft/cell service.

I bring at least two tubes, a patch kit, and some cash when I head alone out into the countryside.

PaulRivers

I can see his point.

Flat-resistant tires. They've made flats much, much rarer than they used to be. I haven't actually gotten a flat while riding in years.
Can't leave your gear outside on your bike. If you are biking to a destination carrying flat repair equipment with you makes less appealling. You ride up, lock your bike, walk inside. Imagine if you have flat repair equipment with you - walk into a restaurant carrying it with you, walk into a movie carrying it with you, etc. You can't leave it outside on your bike or someone will probably steal it.
Good cell and uber/lyft coverage. If you live in a big city cell coverage and uber/lyft/etc are nearly everywhere.
Half the time you'd pay $10-$15 to avoid changing it on the road anyways. Raining, particularly cold, dark, sometimes you'd pay to avoid to be able to fix it at home anyways.
Cost - a road morph mini on amazon w/tax costs $36. You get one flat every 3 years, it might be 6 years before you broke even vs uber.

canklecat

I'd do that, although I'd still carry basic spares and tools.

​​​​​​I've Ubered to a couple of medical appointments recently and it was prompt and pleasant. Cost was reasonable. I'd definitely consider Uber and Lyft as backups rather than calling family or friends. Or lugging too much gear, which I tend to do.

Maelochs

What happens when the Uber driver shows up in a Fiat 500 and you cannot fit your bike inside?

jon c. 

Wonder how long you'd have to wait for this service? I have roadside assistance insurance for cars, but I change a flat myself because who wants to sit there for an hour waiting for someone to show up.

jefnvk

I doubt many Uber drivers, regardless of vehicle size, want your bike in their car.

rumrunn6

I took a taxi this summer after riding too far, in one direction, not allowing for the ride back. cpl months later, went back & did the whole thing up & back.w/o the taxi

Jay-W

When you book your Uber you can contact the driver and tell them you have a bike. I've used it once when both tubes failed and the repair station needed more repairs than my bike!

Hoopdriver

I commute on Schalbe Marathon Plus tires, reputed to be very flat resistant. I still get a few punctures each year. It happens.

How difficult is this? I see so many of the younger crowd sporting backpacks that look full of stuff (including 2 or 3 water bottles in side pouches). Flat repair stuff doesn't take much room at all, even if you have a spare tube.
Perhaps. I live in a metropolitan area, yet there are places I ride to where cell coverage is iffy. Also, you can't call an Uber if your mobile is discharged because of the multiple apps running while riding. A lot of riders these days think their lives needs a sound track.[/QUOTE]

But you would wait around for 30 minutes in the cold, dark, rain for an Uber?

There are cheaper pumps. Also, wouldn't you need a pump for normal maintenance anyway? One flat every 3 years may be reasonable for someone who doesn't ride much. My average is about 1 puncture every 1,000 miles. Carrying a pump also allows you the wonderful experience of helping others on the road.

Culturally, self-reliance doesn't seem to be that much of a thing anymore. People abrogate their responsibilities to others a bit too willingly these days. I, for one, would have to be in dire need before I made the "call of shame".

himespau 

I'd wondered about this as well. I don't own a smartphone, so I couldn't use it anyway. I have a pay as you go phone that I keep in the car for emergencies. About half the time I go on long rides, I remember to grab it.

OldTryGuy

AAA Membership --- Auto and Bicycle plus when I had my bicycle crash in 2011, I received a $1,000.00 check.

https://autoclubsouth.aaa.com/member..._coverage.aspx

Marcus_Ti

Sounds great...until you don't have cellphone reception, or a crash destroyed your phone.