My wife and I went riding Sunday. After appx 2 miles, I heard a hiss and she hollered from behind that she had a flat. I responded "No, it's mine!". It was both. Both back tires flat. Hers bad enough that the tube had to be replaced, not patched, and the tire was ruined. Had to use a piece of the old inner tube to line the tire. Mine was patchable. Luckily, I had a spare tube.
Now, we usually ride with both kids, and so far, I've been carrying one spare tube and a patch kit. First flat any of us have had in over 500 miles.
Question for the more seasoned vets who ride with others or groups. How often does more than one flat at a time occur? Should we each be carrying a spare tube? Two tubes?
BTW, I got to use my new Topeak mountain morph pump. Highly recommended. I really appreciated the hose and being able to foot it and pump with both hands.
Although I'm nowhere near a "seasoned" rider, I haven't experienced many flats (except for a time when I unknowingly damaged my tire and had about 5 flats in a row). It probably depends on the quality of the road and the amount of riding done.
Rarely do I flat, but it has happened. Likely will happen more now that I post this, but I always check tire pressure before going out even for short rides. I also frequently check tires for glass or other stuff stuck in the tire. Bottom line - ALWAYS check tire pressure before a ride.
Originally posted by Dellphinus My wife and I went riding Sunday. After appx 2 miles, I heard a hiss and she hollered from behind that she had a flat. I responded "No, it's mine!". It was both. Both back tires flat. Hers bad enough that the tube had to be replaced, not patched, and the tire was ruined. Had to use a piece of the old inner tube to line the tire. Mine was patchable. Luckily, I had a spare tube.
Now, we usually ride with both kids, and so far, I've been carrying one spare tube and a patch kit. First flat any of us have had in over 500 miles.
Question for the more seasoned vets who ride with others or groups. How often does more than one flat at a time occur? Should we each be carrying a spare tube? Two tubes?
BTW, I got to use my new Topeak mountain morph pump. Highly recommended. I really appreciated the hose and being able to foot it and pump with both hands.
Thanks, DP
I wouldn't call myself a seasoned pro, I've covered 1084 miles since January 1st and had my first Puncture today..I was doing around 20mph and ran over some glass, although I can't find any splits or glass in the tire...it didn't go flat untill I stopped at a Coffee shop a few miles down the road...wierd...maybe it wasn't the Glass? But the bottom line is my tire was as flat as a Pancake...
But it's impossible to say when or where you're going to get a flat..I supose it's best to carry a Tube in the saddle bag of each bike, they're really inexpensive...
Which brings me to my question for anyone here, what is the best Puncture resistant Tire for a Road Bike? I currently have Hutchinson Carbon Comps on my Cannondale...I'm not worried about the weight of a Tire, I'm just looking for something that is resilient on the street...
There is only one way to deal with a flat tire....
Cell phone. Call taxi. Call hubby. Go to the pub. Drink a pint.
If necessary, flirt outrageously with favourite bike mechanic. I know, I know...I could actually do it myself but that would eliminate the beer and the flirting and that's just oh so wrong on oh so many levels....
Originally posted by Brunswick_kate There is only one way to deal with a flat tire....
Cell phone. Call taxi. Call hubby. Go to the pub. Drink a pint.
If necessary, flirt outrageously with favourite bike mechanic. I know, I know...I could actually do it myself but that would eliminate the beer and the flirting and that's just oh so wrong on oh so many levels....
Hmmmm...sounds good in theory...however, I don't know any female Bike mechanics...but going to the Pub for a Pint sounds like an excellent idea! 😄
I don't ride all that often anymore, but when I did, I got a flat about every 200 miles or so in rural areas, about twice as many since I moved to the big city.
I ride about 3,500 miles a year. I carry 3 spare tubes and 3 CO2 cartridges. Ya don't need 3 but, I would recommend 2. Reason ? If you get a flat with only one spare tube, where ever are, you are NOW vulnerable to a second flat and NO spare tube. Odds are you'll get a flat sometime, therefore you'll be vulnerable sometime. Carry 2 spares, and you be happy someday you did. Don't bother patching them on the road. Wait till ya get home. the CO2 cartridges fit in your saddle pack and sure are convenient. Wear a helmt, bring water. Enjoy !
Never had a flat when riding on the road (tempting fate), but when off road had loads. Worst day ever had six thorns go through one after the other - I only had five patches (and yes I did check the tyre before I refitted it) so a 12km walk home ending up in pitch darkness ensued. I never carry a tube, maybe I should, I remember flatting once, and the valve insert broke off, that was another long walk.
