fabio

when you get a flat? I was riding to work and was thirsty so took a detour to a known cold water fountain. Drank and then filled my water bottle up. When I was I was missing with my shifter and went into the small chain ring. I then tried to go back to the big one and then the chain wouldn't jump to the bigger ring. I pulled over and noticed the allen screw was lose and the had cable slipped. So after doing a quick repair in the shade I was looking down as I'm riding then I hear a little pop and hear something fly out the side. I initially thought it was just a pebble that was shot out to the side. I slow down and that's when I heard the air coming out. Walked back to the scene and found a 3" nail with a huge head on it. So I walked 3 miles to my job and got a ride home. So what do you guys keep with you to fix a flat? I'm wondering if I should just buy a kit with the co2. Or just a simple patch kit, a tire lever and buy a small pump for the bike?

10 Wheels

Carry two spare tubes and a frame pump or CO 2.

roadiejorge 

Interesting play by play. Always carry a patch repair kit and a spare tube just in case of situations like the one you described.

Randochap

Carry spare tube(s), tyre levers, patch kit, pump and return key.

10 Wheels

Saturday we were on a 100 mile ride.
One rider yells Flat.
He find a radial tire wire has caused the flat.
Puts in a New Tube.
Pumped it up. Removes the pump and the valve came off with the pump.

Carry Two Tubes.

Joe Road

Happened to me once. I was rather bewildered.

But I still only carry one tube.

..

PlatyPius

I carry a tube, CO2, a patch kit, tire lever, multi-tool, AND a pump.

Unless I'm riding tubulars. Then I carry a spare tubie AND a patch/sewing kit just for tubies.

Machka 

I fix it and keep riding.

Machka 

Here's how I change tires ... when I'm practicing in the comfort of my own living room, but it isn't much different when I'm on the side of the road ...

-- Get the necessary tire changing equipment (levers, new tube, pump, patches, boots, new tire - and no, you won't have to use it all during this learning process, but it is good to know you've got it all)
-- Remove the rear wheel (because it is harder to remove than the front one)
-- Release the air in the tire
-- Remove the tire and tube together
-- Mark the tire where the valve on the tube is located as a reference point for later
-- Pull the tube out of the tire
-- Find the hole (this could be quite a long process)
-- Keeping track of the hole, place the tube loosely inside the tire using the reference point you made
-- Check the tire near the spot where the hole in the tube is for possible bits of broken glass or wires or whatever ... it is preferable to do a visual check first so you don't cut yourself, then you might try cautiously feeling for something. Chances are you will find the cuprit. Remove it. (But if you've run over an evil goatshead you might not find anything)
-- Take a look around inside the rest of the tire for any other foreign matter that may cause another flat.

And I think I do this next part differently than others, but ...
-- Fill the new tube a bit (or in this learning case, you would use the original tube because it is still OK), and tuck it inside the tire
-- Put the valve through the hole on the rim
-- Start tucking in one side of the tire, taking care not to pinch the tube
-- Start tucking in the other side of the tire, also taking even greater care not to pinch the tube. You may need to let a bit of air out of the tube during this process if it is really tight, and you will likely need to use the levers right near the end to get the last bit in
-- Check to make sure it all looks even and that there are no pieces of tube sticking out or caught between the rim and the tire
-- Pump the tire up to about 6- or 70 psi, and do another check to makes sure it all looks OK
-- Finish pumping tire, and replace on bicycle.

UGASkiDawg

I just sit on the side of road looking forlorn until someone stops and changes it for me

PlatyPius

Would only add one thing (ok, 2)...

Line the valve up with the label on the tire (or the name, if it's a Kenda or some such without a label) so that marking the tire/valve relationship is unnecessary in the future.

Also, if you find nothing inside the tire, look on the outside for an embedded stone, piece of glass, etc. Often, a foreign object in the tire won't actually penetrate until there is weight on the inflated tire. If you see a piece of gravel in the tire, push on it while feeling the spot from the inside. You'll probably feel it push into the tire.

Gluteus

One tube.
Patches.
and....
cell phone
(because sometimes s**t happens more than once or twice).

RT

This illustrates the value of following the OCD guide to tube replacement. Lining up the stem opposite the biggest label/decal/insignia on your tire will aid in locating the trouble.

kbtommy

This, minus the CO2 (and plus a cell phone). Pretty much have all your bases covered that way.

blacksquid

I also carry either a tire boot or a dollar bill just in case I get a tear in my tire.

Erzulis Boat

All of the above, but also have a small rag for the grease that gets all over my hands, and a length of parachute cord (3 feet or so) makes changing the tire a breeze on the back wheel, just hang the bike in a tree/fence by the seat rails. No muss, no fuss.

1-2 tubes
Tip-Top patch kit
Tire levers
Mini pump (when not running Co2)
Co2 with spare cylinder
Small multi-tool
Rag
Parachute cord

All fits into the jersey.

Erzulis Boat

Yep, always have your tires mounted to a standard, you will thank yourself one day!

sac02

Pump vs. CO2 is the new Campy vs. Shimano

Mac

DScott

Did you mean opposite of the tire label, or in line with it?

I prefer to put the tire label centered on the valve stem.

kgabike

That actually worked for me one day. I was sitting by the side of the road waiting for the bus because I'd run over a piece of a shattered ceramic mug that someone had thoughtfully dropped in the road. The sharp edge had torn my tire up beyond use (although in hindsight I think maybe I could have booted it). The buses here have bike racks on the front you can throw your bike on. I was sitting there bored, with my head in my hands just killing time waiting on the bus (and hoping it actually ran on Sundays). A car turned in to the neighborhood cross street and then I heard someone calling out to me, "Are you okay?". I was fine but just bored. Anyway, they turned out to be members of the local bike club out running some errands for a century ride they were volunteering for later in the week. They were nice enough to give me a ride three or four miles down the road to a local bike ship where I was able to buy a new tire and continue my ride. It sure saved me a lot of hassle. Plan B (if the bus didn't work out) might have involved calling a taxi.

PlatyPius

Well, I carry a smartphone too. Never know when you'll want to stop for a break and check your email. LOL!