livedarklions

I usually check the pressure about every 4 days or so. It's pretty predictable, and if it isn't it's obviously flat.

I carry enough tools to fix a flat, that's about it.

Maelochs

Not many cyclists seem to realize that the cell phone is a master mechanics' device, capable of dealing with almost every bicycle-related situation -- apparently.

caloso

It depends on the tire and tube (or lack of one). My nice race wheels with latex tubes need topping off every time I ride. My tubeless CX/gravel set every other time. My training/commuting wheels with butyl tubes, could be weeks.

As for the pros, they carry saddlebags and pumps when they're out on training rides. I do too.

livedarklions

Depends where you ride. I seem to specialize in "no service available" routes.

Rdmonster69

That is very well put. My experience tells me to carry a spare inner tube, a patch kit, a pump and a multi tool....and a spare master link. I have used all this gear to help other people too !!

livedarklions

I know what the pressure should be. Enough so I can ride it to the next floor pump without bending the rims.

You yelled that at people? Really?

livedarklions

Now where's the fun in that? People need to be punished for not doing it my way!

Seriously, I love it when people offer to help when they see I have a flat. I like being able to say "no thanks, I'm all set" even more. I've had some very pleasant chats with people under those circumstances.

My most recent rescue was giving a Kind bar to an old man who had bonked, we got to talk about his old bespoke 1990s Lightspeed. Nice fellow, former serious rider who was now quite old and showing it,

But I digress.

What was this thread about?

DonkeyShow

If I was gonna be 25 miles away I may plan better. Usually only about 15 miles from home. I can deal with that. I don't mind doing a route twice in one go if it keeps me closer.

Jax Rhapsody

I walk my ass back home. I'm not that paranoid.If my tire is low, chances are, if there are bmxers at the skatepark; there might be an airpump...

genejockey 

I have a coworker who got into cycling, bought himself a nice Cervelo, and later an even nicer Wilier. Not only does he not carry pump or spare tube, he doesn't even know how to fix a flat. Takes it to the LBS. FOR FLATS!!! I don't understand it.

In addition, he's got a terrible sense of direction, so if he flatted and called his wife, he might not be able to figure out where he is for her to come get him. Mostly these days, though, he just rides indoors. Fewer flats and it's harder to get lost, I guess.

downtube42

On my commute bike, I pump it up to 60psi and ride until it starts feeling silky smooth. That's about 20psi, and several weeks time. Repeat.

On my sport bike, I top off tires every ride. Just because.

On my randonneuring bike (which is actually the same bike as my sport bike, but with a different attitude) I'll top off before the ride, and if it's a multi-day I might top off every day.

I could, I suppose, have an internet argument with myself on which is best, but I'll refrain.

Jeff Neese

It depends on the tubes you're using. Since I switched to exclusively using Schwalbe and Continental tubes, I can go a lot longer. I've gone weeks without topping them off, and even then they usually haven't lost much air. Cheap tubes are another story.

I always carry what I need to fix a flat tire on the road. Each bike has its own seat bag with basic tools and a tube specific to that bike, and a frame-mounted mini-pump.

drlogik 

+1 - I top mine up before each ride.

wolfchild

I always carry a basic repair kit to be self-sufficient if I get a flat or a breakdown. In 15 years of cycling I've never gone out for a ride without a basic repair kit..

rsbob 

Is the OP’s question sincere? Or, is it a PSA on what he feels is the ‘right’ thing to do?

I don’t know how he knows if people do or do not air their tires.

How does he not know that many people keep their tools in a small wrap that they fit in a jersey pocket - so is virtually invisible?

Because you are on this forum, the chances are good you do at least one of the recommendations.

Believe the recommendation above to not care what others do, or don’t do, is spot on.

Perhaps he is being sincere, but if that’s the case, there is so much to question about why humans choose to do one thing over another, believe in one thing, or chose to be mean versus helpful, the questions could go on forever.

wolfchild

I would rather change a tube on the side of the road than use my cell phone and burden somebody to come rescue me

cyccommute 

Yup. I spend a lot of time in areas where my phone is an expensive brick.

1985: What’s a “cell” phone? Oh, you mean the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X? That cost $4000 then and had a battery life of 60 minutes, weighed nearly 2 lbs, and took 10 hours to charge? Nope. Didn’t have one.


Even though this is close to Breckenridge, no service.



I’d have to drive 20 miles to the west or north but about 100 miles to the south or east to get a signal.



This is that 20 miles to the west (closer to 30). And I could only get a signal if I climbed up to the top of a specific hill. Every where else the phone is a brick. It’s not even as useful as a brick. A brick could at least be used as a hammer.



Just nope. Not for about 50 miles.



If it ain’t in my head or in my pack, it’s not likely to get fixed and I’m in for a bit of walking.


This goes with me just about everywhere I go…backcountry or in town

70sSanO

My tire pressure seems to last a few rides, especially since I went with 25-32 tubes and 25mm tires.

Always carry extra tube, patch kit, and pump.

Tools vary a bit depending on road or mtb. Have multitool for both, but added a spoke wrench, chain break and quick link to my mtb setup. Once you’ve been without you appreciate them.

John

Flip Flop Rider

I can tell by the way it's riding if it needs air, and it's not even close to daily, sometimes not even weekly

Rolla

If everyone carried the tubes, tools, and knowledge to fix a flat, my LBS would probably go out of business. It’s eight bucks for the tube plus eight bucks labor all day long down there. Keep up the good work, noobs — you're helping to keep a great small business alive!

Random11

I pump up my tires once a week. Put 80 psi in them, and a week later they are down to 70 psi when I pump them back up to 80. I do squeeze them before I ride to make sure they're OK. If I have a flat, I'll walk the bike home and deal with it there. I know that's what I'd do if I flatted... because I've done it many times.

livedarklions

For me, that'd pretty likely be as much as a 50 mile walk. Not doing that.

Cougrrcj

I fill the tires to my preferred 85f/95r pressures before I head out in the morning. My afternoon commute - I just deal with whatever the pressures are. At most they've lost a couple of psi.

As for tool kit - just a multi-tool, tire levers, patch kit, one Presta adapter and a spare tube in the mini seat bag. In my last eight years of riding to work on nice days (~20-25 25mi r/t commutes between mid May and late August, or ~twice/week) I've only had one pinch flat and that was from road debris that I didn't see in the early morning shadows. I was able to change out the tube and inflate the front tire to around 65psi with the frame-mounted mini-pump. I topped it off with the air compressor when I got to work.





My previous work commute was a tad shorter. In the 15+ years of riding that one 2x-3x/wk during the summer months, I had one flat from broken glass and another one from roadkill. Yes, roadkill. I wasn't paying attention ahead (I was looking back to check on traffic on the 55mph State Highway) and ran over the mostly decomposed/skeletonized roadkill. A tooth in the piece of broken jawbone or maybe some other bone fragment punctured the sidewall of my rear tire.

So that's three flats in several thousand miles, spread out over almost 25 years.

Each of my bikes has either a seat bag or handlebar bag with the same basic flat repair items that I listed above. Those 'other' road-ridden bikes all have full-size frame pumps (all are old-school Zefal Hp).

tomato coupe

The next thread will be about why some cyclists don't eat anything when they ride, all because the OP doesn't see any food in cycling videos.

kahn

Just before reading your reply I went out searching for Lyft/Uber to see if they have any bicycle policies or guidelines. Nothing in particular but a few comments suggest getting the large vehicles and then checking with the driver.

Anyone here use either service with a bicycle?