🤔 Do I actually need to carry a repair kit? 🤔
10-28-20, 08:12 AM
#201
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And who said most BF posters aren’t judgemental lol...
10-28-20, 08:15 AM
#202
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I really think that putting this into "moral failing" or "ethical" terms is a bit of overkill. To me, this is more of an etiquette issue, and like all such questions, context matters. Someone could be right that they have the type of relationship where asking for help when you could have helped yourself is not going to cause resentment. All I think is legit here is to warn people who call for the gratuitous rescue that they might want to be aware that even if the person is saying yes to the request, they might be too polite to tell you that you're annoying them by making it when they know you could easily fix the problem yourself.
I would happily pick up a friend who was having heat exhaustion because no amount of preparation can forestall that, my only concern there would be whether it was more appropriate for the friend's safety to call an ambulance. Might be hard to tell the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke over the phone.
I would happily pick up a friend who was having heat exhaustion because no amount of preparation can forestall that, my only concern there would be whether it was more appropriate for the friend's safety to call an ambulance. Might be hard to tell the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke over the phone.
comfort zone in 90 degree weather without the proper amount of hydration you would still be happy to pick him up correct?
Hrmmm...
10-28-20, 01:50 PM
#203
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I guess what it amounts to is that those they ride with absolutely nothing hope that someone like me that is prepared will come along and help them. I have many times.
10-28-20, 02:06 PM
#204
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Well, as I've said before, I don't want to risk getting stranded at the corner of I Smell Cow Poop and Is That Poison Ivy.
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10-28-20, 09:00 PM
#205
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My current work commute for the past 7 years is 12.5 miles each way. Never had a problem - but like the (now geriatric) Eagle Scout I am, I'm always prepared since I carry my tool kit and pump.
This year I experienced my first flat on the commute - almost exactly halfway. It was a debris snakebite puncture from hitting a chunk of concrete, not a glass- or wire. I knew it as soon as I hit the whatever-it-was... I used the tire levers in my toolkit to get the tire off, popped in the spare tube that I've carried around for at least three years, used the frame-mounted mini-pump to get the tire up to at least 50psi to make it rideable ( I normally inflate to 85f/95r) to get to work. I lost a grand total of maybe ten minutes - probably more like five! At work I used the compressor to fill the tire to full pressure for the ride home - Oh, and used my patch kit on the snake-bit tube so I'd have a spare for the ride home - JUST IN CASE..
Tool kit/spare tube/pump. EVERY ride! -- for the same reason you have car- or house insurance - it is there just in case you need it..
This year I experienced my first flat on the commute - almost exactly halfway. It was a debris snakebite puncture from hitting a chunk of concrete, not a glass- or wire. I knew it as soon as I hit the whatever-it-was... I used the tire levers in my toolkit to get the tire off, popped in the spare tube that I've carried around for at least three years, used the frame-mounted mini-pump to get the tire up to at least 50psi to make it rideable ( I normally inflate to 85f/95r) to get to work. I lost a grand total of maybe ten minutes - probably more like five! At work I used the compressor to fill the tire to full pressure for the ride home - Oh, and used my patch kit on the snake-bit tube so I'd have a spare for the ride home - JUST IN CASE..
Tool kit/spare tube/pump. EVERY ride! -- for the same reason you have car- or house insurance - it is there just in case you need it..
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10-29-20, 05:45 AM
#206
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Well, another thread popped up today showing that having all the supplies you need isn't enough. Lack of competence can render all the stuff irrelevant. 
Tubeless Lessons Learned
Tubeless Lessons Learned
Last edited by shelbyfv; 10-29-20 at 05:49 AM. Reason: add link
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11-02-20, 12:16 PM
#208
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I never ride without one.
11-02-20, 01:31 PM
#210
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I've been riding my bike more and getting into better shape. Given that, I'm sprucing up my ride a little, getting fenders, etc. One thing I haven't done is carry a pump, patch kit, etc. I have a feeling this is ill advised, so I wanted opinions. Here's why I'm not sure it's necessary:
I live in a metro area. I ride on greenways and streets. Even if I had a repair kit, I doubt I would use it. I would call a friend and hope they were available to pick me up a the nearest intersection and get my bike home. If that wasn't possible, my plan was to lock up my bike somewhere, uber home, and pick it back up ASAP.
Part of this is because I haven't yet learned how to fix basic stuff. I probably should. Even still, I'd probably rather fix it at home anyway.
Am I forgetting something? Is my phone-a-friend no repair kit on board strategy fair, or foolish?
Thanks for any input!
I live in a metro area. I ride on greenways and streets. Even if I had a repair kit, I doubt I would use it. I would call a friend and hope they were available to pick me up a the nearest intersection and get my bike home. If that wasn't possible, my plan was to lock up my bike somewhere, uber home, and pick it back up ASAP.
Part of this is because I haven't yet learned how to fix basic stuff. I probably should. Even still, I'd probably rather fix it at home anyway.
Am I forgetting something? Is my phone-a-friend no repair kit on board strategy fair, or foolish?
Thanks for any input!
11-02-20, 02:26 PM
#211
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Hi
I created a toolkit list based on my own experience and the advice of others at this link
The list is graded with stars and the first post is the latest version.
I commute 16km each way to the city. I carry the 3-star items.
Dazz
I created a toolkit list based on my own experience and the advice of others at this link
The list is graded with stars and the first post is the latest version.
I commute 16km each way to the city. I carry the 3-star items.
Dazz
11-02-20, 02:42 PM
#212
Senior Member
So put your big boy pants on
Get a bag that goes under your seat. Get a C02 kit. Carry at a minimum one tube and better two. With the C02 kit you don't need a frame pump but it is a good idea. The alternative is to put other people out instead of taking responsibility. It is part of cycling. It requires a certain amount of self sufficiency. You can reduce the frequency of flats by making sure your tires are in good condition and making sure your air pressure is where it should be which means checking it before every ride. Get ride of shrader valves and run presta valves and have the proper head on your pump and Co2.
11-02-20, 02:47 PM
#213
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Have not had a flat in over 10 years
I have not had a flat in over 10 years. Nevertheless, I always carry a repair kit and pump. I have used it on stranded cyclists who did not have their kit. Always carry a kit because you never know who you may meet along the way. Have developed friendships with them and have become riding partners. 
11-02-20, 02:52 PM
#214
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I have not had a flat in over 10 years. Nevertheless, I always carry a repair kit and pump. I have used it on stranded cyclists who did not have their kit. Always carry a kit because you never know who you may meet along the way. Have developed friendships with them and have become riding partners.
On average, I get a flat once a month. Usually broken glass. Usually in the rain when the glass is invisible.
On the worst day, I got 3 flats. Had to make the call of shame to get home.
Dazz
Last edited by dazz100; 11-02-20 at 04:10 PM.
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11-02-20, 04:09 PM
#215
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I have not had a flat in over 10 years. Nevertheless, I always carry a repair kit and pump. I have used it on stranded cyclists who did not have their kit. Always carry a kit because you never know who you may meet along the way. Have developed friendships with them and have become riding partners.
For you flat-in-ten-year folks .... what kind of tires are you using?
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11-02-20, 04:36 PM
#217
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11-02-20, 04:46 PM
#218
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Very lucky. I also use Schwalbe marathon Plus tires on my 3 bikes and try to stick to bike paths as much as possible.
11-02-20, 05:18 PM
#219
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I put Schwalbe Marathons on my kid’s school commute bike. Bombproof and I love the reflective strip, but good lord are they heavy.
11-02-20, 06:29 PM
#220
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The lone 700c bike rides on 28mm Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech III (discontinued now - I don't know what replaced it) This is the bike I was riding ('86 Miyata 710) when I had the snake-bite from a chunk of concrete (couldn't see it against the other concrete road surface in the dim morning light...) Front tire. Nothing went through the tire to cause the flat. It was when I was remounting the tire after swapping in my spare tube that I noticed the bad spots (cracking and pitting) on the brake tracks of the front rim.
Then a few weeks later I replaced both wheels (see my previous post about the cracked rim, and other damage that was making my brakes pulse Dammit! My '86 Miyata 710 needs new wheels! ). The front rim/brake was pulsing before I hit the debris, too. Rear wheel looks fine, so I'm keeping it as a spare.... I used also this opportunity to replace that tire with the same thing in 25mm to give me a bit more fork bridge clearance since the 28 only had < maybe > 1mm. I'm keeping the used (and bruised) 28mm front tire to use on the rear should I need it.
I LOVE the new wheelset that I got from another BF forum member. Dura Ace hubs, 15/16ga butted stainless spokes, and Open Pro rims. Lighter than my originals
11-03-20, 08:46 AM
#221
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One bike I frequently use for bad weather and snowy conditions, a 20 year old German made Calvin, bought new in Germany, still has the original Nokian 622-47 front tire and tube with Dunlop valve; don't know what brand of tube it has since it has never had a flat. I have replaced the rear tire with a Marathon due to wearing out the tread on the original Nokian tire.I estimate about 6 or 7,000 miles of hard use on this bike.
11-03-20, 10:15 AM
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I cannot claim 10 flat-free years, but I rarely flat on my touring/commuter bike, even when touring on unpaved surfaces in hilly/mountainous terrain with a full load. Conti Top Contact II. 37c. They are eBike rated in the EU. (The "II" part is important. There is a lesser model that is not as good.) Haven't flatted while touring on them since 2014. Found the tiniest piece of wire or staple in the rear after a rainly day. The hole was so small that I didn't even discover the flat until the next morning, and I had to run the tube through a puddle of water at my campsite to find the puncture so I could have an idea of where the offending element might still be lodged. I did get a flat on them during a day ride. That was maybe 3 years ago while riding an umpaved path wtih some shap stones.
11-06-20, 01:42 PM
#223
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You really need to carry at least a pump and an extra inner tube, you may not use it in a long while, but trust me it helps a lot when you're in the middle of the road at night, not many people are willing to stop whatever it is they're doing just to go and help someone.
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11-06-20, 02:28 PM
#224
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You really need to carry at least a pump and an extra inner tube, you may not use it in a long while, but trust me it helps a lot when you're in the middle of the road at night, not many people are willing to stop whatever it is they're doing just to go and help someone.
You are clearly implying that not many of your friends or family members would help you at night. That’s kind of rough and I’m sorry to hear that.
I know a lot of people and not one of them would refuse to help a friend in need.
Whether or not they should have to is ofc another thing altogether.
11-06-20, 02:33 PM
#225
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I read "middle of the road" as an imprecise way to say "halfway on your journey". I sure hope he isn't trying to patch his tyre literally in "the middle of the road". That could easily be his last mistake.
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