Flat Repairs On The Road

TrekGuy said:

Hi, I was wondering what things I should carry with me while riding in order for me to repair a flat tire. I would like the things to be small and light enough so I could carry them in my jersey's back pockets so I don't have to mount anything on my bike (I don't want to scratch the paint).
-Thanks

3 tire tools, Park tire boot or piece of old innertube, glueless patches and/or spare tube, Blackburn Shorty Pump and/or CO2 cartridge inflater with a couple of spare cartridges.

TrekGuy said:

Hi, I was wondering what things I should carry with me while riding in order for me to repair a flat tire. I would like the things to be small and light enough so I could carry them in my jersey's back pockets so I don't have to mount anything on my bike (I don't want to scratch the paint).
-Thanks

When you are not racing, you should still carry a small saddle bag w/ a multi-tool, patch kit, CO2 inflator or mini pump, and your cell phone. You won't ruin your aerodymanics, ding up your paint, or get stuck somewhere due to a minor technical problem like a flat. I don't know how many times in the last 3 years I've stopped and helped some fully kitted out fellow road cyclist who had $5000 dollars worth of bike and riding gear, and no tools.

The reason why the members of the pro peloton can storm along without spares or tools is because they have the full support of a team car (and neutral service vehicles) behind them. For the rest of us, it is just common sense to carry a few
essential items with us.

You can do it without being loaded down like a pack mule. Try a small bag like:

competitivecyclist.comCCYOpen ↗

And carry a small tool like:

competitivecyclist.comCCYOpen ↗

Cheers!

I carry 1 tire lever, 1 inner tube, and something to inflate it with - CO2 on my Klein and a Zefal HPX on the retro bike. I also carry my wallet with me.

I'm typing this from home so I've obviously always found a way to make it back.

dekindy said:

3 tire tools, Park tire boot or piece of old innertube, glueless patches and/or spare tube, Blackburn Shorty Pump and/or CO2 cartridge inflater with a couple of spare cartridges.

Buy a pack that won't scratch your frame.
What everyone said is right but also carry something to use as a boot incase you get a bad cut. Tyvek is what I use and it has saved me and my friends several times.

Hi.
Just have a pump - there is no need to have a stupid:o CO2 cannister - especially not for training - or even racing as if you puncture it's almost impossible to get up to your position again.

So, two tubes, stick on patches(only good for a day or so - change them for proper patches when home), three tyre(tire) levers and a mini pump and you're set🙂

bannerrefugee said:

Tyvek is what I use and it has saved me and my friends several times.

In Australia, cause we have plastic notes, you kill two birds with one stone by carrying a few $10's in your pack.

a) You can spend as necessary
b) You can use them as a tire boot and they work fine

--brett

I carry one multitool, one tube, one pump and one packet of patches with glue, I don't trust the glueless ones.

Money, credit card and mobile phone.

As per Brett, you can use aussie plastic notes to cover a hole in the tyre, or you can patch the inside of the tyre.

And if you break your tyre leaver, like I did today, you can grab the tyre and roll it off with your hands.

mikesbytes said:

And if you break your tyre leaver, like I did today, you can grab the tyre and roll it off with your hands.

Not everyone has that kind of power! :p

sogood said:

Not everyone has that kind of power! :p

T-Bone can do it

The tyre lever need only be 3" long, preferably steel because it won't break!

sogood said:

Not everyone has that kind of power! :p

Then use your quick release lever.

strummer_fan said:

The reason why the members of the pro peloton can storm along without spares or tools is because they have the full support of a team car (and neutral service vehicles) behind them.

I often wondered how a pro manages to catch up after a flat. Dropped by the peleton for a minute or so, and with a cracking pace, do they always make it back?

Retro Grouch said:

Then use your quick release lever.

Thats a good Idea, I'll remember that one.

Keys tend to break and then you can't get back into your house.

Retro Grouch said:

Then use your quick release lever.

Wouldn't it be a bit short?

matagi said:

Wouldn't it be a bit short?

Tyre leaver is preferred, only use the skewer leaver in emergencies.

matagi said:

Wouldn't it be a bit short?

I've never had trouble making one work. I don't need a ton of leverage, just something slim enough to fit between the tire bead and the rim without tearing up the tube. Actually, most of the time I can get the tire loose using just my hands and I generally carry a tire lever with me so I haven't had to resort to the quick release trick for several years.