jonwvara 

I have always been pretty conscientious about bringing a spare tube, pump, and a few tools when I go for a ride. But I have started to get lazy, and sometimes don't bother when I'm going on a short ride--if, for example, the bike I'm going to ride is already on the porch, and my flat-kit seat bag is on another bike in the shed.

Today I finally got caught out. My friend Mark and I met on the road for a socially-distanced 10 mile out-and-back, the outbound leg of which is almost all uphill and the return almost all downhill. Partway through the downhill leg I felt that familiar flup-flup-flup of the back tire.

Mark had a pump and an extra tube, but because he was riding this absurd bikepacking-type bike--not sure what you'd even call such a thing--his gigantic tube was of no use to me. I would have like to scold him for not having a patch kit, but felt that I was in no position to do so.

We'd left our separate cars back in Marshfield village, and he offered to come and pick me up, but in the light of maintaining our distance I said I'd just walk and sent him on his way. I actually had a very pleasant two-mile walk, wheeling my bike along with the early evening sun in my face, when--with a mile and a half still to go--my wife appeared in our other car, Mark having called her to explain that I'd be late.

I apologized for having her come out, and said that she hadn't needed to bother. But she was in good spirits, since it was the first time she had been off our hill in about two weeks. Also, I found a fairly good-quality 9/16" combination wrench a few hundred yards before she met me. So it all ended well. Lesson learned.

If anyone wants a 9/16" combination wrench (Chinese-made, not Snap-on or anything like that), it's yours for the cost of postage.

nlerner

Glad you didn’t get eaten by hungry Vermont wolves, Jon.

jonwvara 

Yeah, that was another way in which I lucked out.

By the way, I was riding my Gran Sport with the Model 99 crank that you provided. Thanks again! Great gearing that some around here would would no doubt find laughably low--46-32 chainrings and a 14-17-21-24-28-34 Ultra 6 freewheel.

rumrunn6

Wonder if there’s a way to mcgiver a fix for that like tie a cpl knots in the tube or something

Digger Goreman

There is, iirc, somewhere in the tricks and hacks thread.

I think you locate the hole and tie the tube to place the hole within the knot (air would not reach it ofc). Then pump the tube. Supposedly little to no effect to rolling. I haven't tried it, though....
​​​​

jackbombay

Hahahaha!!!!!


I have 2 seat bags with tubes and patch kits and C02, but I have 4 bikes, and I too end up out the door quick at times realizing that I don't have flat repair capacity with me, this thread is a good reminder to not do that!

SurferRosa

Sounds about right. My big saddle bag stays on one bike. The second biggest stays in a drawer, and the remaining four bikes usually share two cheap little bags, like these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bicycle-Bik...PSYIkcRtBfJAzw

It's just for a patch kit, key, and thin wallet. Have to wear a jersey with pockets to add a phone or spare tube.

SJX426 

I try to keep common repair items in a plastic bag by the helmet/shoes or gloves. All of which I try to keep together in one place. Tubes are stored on the bike somewhere, bag or storage bottle in the extra water bottle cage. Still.....

Digger Goreman

One bike makes it easier:
several tools for tightening and flats,
two tubes for when nails find them,
one medium topeak to rule them all,
and in the darkness bind them....

Merde! Just realized, I need a flashlight....

seypat

You don't want to "clash" with the law. The law will always win the fight.

jackbombay

Its tempting to buy a couple of those so that my 2 remaining bikes can always be prepared, but filling them with a multi tool, Co2 inflator, a couple cylinders, a tube, a patch kit, $20+ in cash... All of a sudden its a fair bit of money :-/

2old

Truth be told, it's happened to me and I'll bet a fair number of others. On occasion, I like to mess with the Law.

squirtdad

hmmmm if reworked the title could be a good song maybe

the Clash-ic

the big hit every one remembers bobby fuller



original Crickets without buddy holly

jonwvara 

Thanks for that--I was starting to wonder if I was the only one who remembered that song. Or if maybe I'd just imagined that it was a song.

hellion14

It’s always the short ‘I don’t need tools for this’ rides that will get you. Last week, introducing my daughter to mountain biking I fell victim myself. I did pack a tube and pump but left the tool pack behind. Not far into the ride as I pulled up on the bar to wheelie over something I felt the handlebar slip in it mounts. As I twisted it back into place I thought well that felt too easy. I managed to finish the ride without alerting my daughter and riding pretty carefully, and I won’t make that mistake again. Until of course I forget this experience and do ; )

randyjawa 

Tools, these days, look a lot like a cell phone. I do, however, carry tire levers, a patch kit(used to carry a spare inner tube, but a patch is just as good and takes up very little storage space), a six in adjustable wrench, three allen wrenches, a pocket knife in Canada or a machete in Jamaica, a lighter and, of course my pump.. I also keep a short length of rope with me...

That said, many a time have I had to walk home, particularly in Jamaica. Two of those walks, one about 5km, the other 7km, put the finishing touches on my SPD shoes. They, and my worn out padded half gloves, stayed in Jamaica when my wife and I made a run for it with hopes of being safer from the virus...

joesch

Your lucky that Mr Murphy did not also won you since it would have been a 10 mile walk

nlerner

Many years ago I was out on a ride on a local MUP, probably about 10 miles from home, when my rear tire went flat. Well, no problem, as I had a spare tube, pump, and tire levers. What I didn’t realize was that my spare tube had a faulty valve (who checks their spare tube?), and I didn’t have a patch kit. It was a long walk home.

pastorbobnlnh 

I've also decided to carry a can of Vittoria Pit Stop, along with a tube, patch kit, pump and tools. Weighs just a few ounces and takes up about the same amount of space as a CO2 inflator.

One saved my bacon just last week.

madpogue 

A 9/16" is close enough for gov't work to a 14mm, if that's of any use to you.

Leinster

And now every time I get home from a ride where I forgot my pump I'll be singing

squirtdad

thats why i carry 2 tubes and patch kit

Kobe 

Nothing more sad than to see someone walking a bike. I did the walk of shame when I was a half mile from my house when I got a flat and figured it was easier to fix it at home. As everyone is looking at me, I felt like screaming "Yes I know how to fix a bike!".

squirtdad

thanks for that one....totally forgot about that version.....

2old

I did the walk with a flat close to home, so that makes at least two different reasons. Someone should start a thread on the WOS. AIR, Bobby Fuller's career was taking off when he was found shot dead in his car in LA. Unsolved AFAIK.