Flat tires in NYC
#26
If you're rockin Phils, the amount of tools needed are so minimal, you hardly notice them.(except for the folded spare tube bulging through your pocket)
I usually have a long 6mm allen key, 2 plastic tire levers, and a carbon fiber pump which is so light and small.(140 psi)
The bulging spare tube through the pocket is kind of a pain sometime so I have to bust out the big messenger backpack to carry everything in
I usually have a long 6mm allen key, 2 plastic tire levers, and a carbon fiber pump which is so light and small.(140 psi)
The bulging spare tube through the pocket is kind of a pain sometime so I have to bust out the big messenger backpack to carry everything in
#27
Senior Member

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 574
Likes: 4
From: NYC
Bikes: Custom DeanUSA El Diente CTI, Rich Adams Track, Johnny Coast Fixed, Argon18 Gallium Pro
Originally Posted by fixedfiend
... and a carbon fiber pump which is so light and small.(140 psi)
#29
i also have everything in my bag, which is almost always on me if i'm on the bike.
2 co2 cartridges and an inflator, a mini pump, 15mm ratchet wrench, allen wrenches, a few tubes, tire irons, mini chain tool and whatever other junk.
2 co2 cartridges and an inflator, a mini pump, 15mm ratchet wrench, allen wrenches, a few tubes, tire irons, mini chain tool and whatever other junk.
#30
I bet

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
I just bought this one, less than 6 inches long, 93 grams, will let u know how it works.
I figure if the pump is too big i wont want to carry it.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWN:IT
I figure if the pump is too big i wont want to carry it.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWN:IT
#31
Retired Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
From: Queens New York
Bikes: Bianchi Pisa, LeMond Poprad
I carry my flat kit in my backpack... and I've never had a flat (except when the LBS installed my tire!) with Specialized Armadillo tires.
I got my first flat in almost a year with my new Allez this past Friday, the LBS put Armadillos on for me and I got a pinch flat... to boot... they put the tires on backwards.
I got my first flat in almost a year with my new Allez this past Friday, the LBS put Armadillos on for me and I got a pinch flat... to boot... they put the tires on backwards.
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Bikes: Olmo, Ciocc, Kiyo Miyazawa , Airbourne
I carry: pump, patchkit and someties an extra tube in my bag.
It amazes me how many people whom ride daily/weekly hobble to a bike shop to change flats. NYC shops close by 6/7 and once you leave the city shops are not as plentiful. But no matter where you are in the city, the subway is but a short walk away.
It amazes me how many people whom ride daily/weekly hobble to a bike shop to change flats. NYC shops close by 6/7 and once you leave the city shops are not as plentiful. But no matter where you are in the city, the subway is but a short walk away.
#34
Rebel Thousandaire
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Hartford, CT
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
During all my years riding in NYC, I kept a spare tube strapped to the underside of the saddle with a toe clip strap and it never got jacked. I wouldn't leave valuable tools on the rig, but the tube itself seemed to have no appeal to the criminal element. As for patching vs. replacing, I join the rev: replacing is quicker, and you can save the busted tube for a subsequent patch job. Anyway, sometimes it's too hard to find the puncture on the street - if it's dark out, you can't see it, and if it's noisy you can't hear it, and if it's windy, you can't feel it.
#35
Originally Posted by Ya Tu Sabes
During all my years riding in NYC, I kept a spare tube strapped to the underside of the saddle with a toe clip strap and it never got jacked. I wouldn't leave valuable tools on the rig, but the tube itself seemed to have no appeal to the criminal element. As for patching vs. replacing, I join the rev: replacing is quicker, and you can save the busted tube for a subsequent patch job. Anyway, sometimes it's too hard to find the puncture on the street - if it's dark out, you can't see it, and if it's noisy you can't hear it, and if it's windy, you can't feel it.
#36
Originally Posted by shot
Sometimes, if you're having trouble, you can pump the tube up and run it past your nose and smell where the leaky puncture is located. Seriously.
#37
no one wants an alien

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: grandis track bike, cesare track bike, bianchi road bike
Originally Posted by dolface
you can also use your upper lip to pinpoint the leak, that's a very sensitive part of your face, and you'll be able to feel the air coming out of the tube. sounds weird but it works.
#38
Rebel Thousandaire
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Hartford, CT
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
Originally Posted by FixednotBroken
ha! and i thought i was the only person using this method...
#39
troglodyte

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 1
From: the tunnels
Bikes: Crust Romanceur, VO Polyvalent, Surly Steamroller, others?
If worse came to worse, I would try to stop in someplace with a bathroom, put the tube underwater (sink, not toilet) and look for the air, that's what I generally do at home for the really small punctures.
#40
Generally if worse comes to worst I can just catch the train home. Or if it's late, I'll walk.
But it's a good point. You should think about the worst case scenario, say you have a all-out blowout that leaves your tube in shreds. Where does that leave you? If the answer is walking 10 miles home, pack a tube. If the answer is walking 15 miles home, pack two.
But it's a good point. You should think about the worst case scenario, say you have a all-out blowout that leaves your tube in shreds. Where does that leave you? If the answer is walking 10 miles home, pack a tube. If the answer is walking 15 miles home, pack two.





