Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Stranded with a flat

Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Stranded with a flat

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-18-22, 11:47 AM
  #1  
bikehoco
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 180 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 53 Posts
Stranded with a flat

Went for a ride in the middle of the work day, got a flat from a small piece of metal wire, pulled it out of the tire, replaced the tube then immediately got a second flat.

Obviously I did a poor job all getting the metal out. Since I only had one spare tube I was screwed. Eventually phoned a friend who wasn’t working for a ride.

- Do you carry more than 1 spare tube?
- Do you carry a patch kit?
- Will Uber pick up you and the bike?
bikehoco is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 11:54 AM
  #2  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,877
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,962 Times in 4,688 Posts
Originally Posted by bikehoco
Do you carry more than 1 spare tube?
Yes.

Originally Posted by bikehoco
Do you carry a patch kit?
Yes.

Originally Posted by bikehoco
Will Uber pick up you and the bike?
Irrelevant, since I have friends.

Actually, it's all irrelevant since I run tubeless in my most-ridden bikes, and I also know how to clear a tire before putting in a fresh tube
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 10-18-22, 11:59 AM
  #3  
freeranger
Senior Member
 
freeranger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,599

Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times in 436 Posts
My underseat bag has 1 spare tube, a patch kit, CO2 inflator, tire levers, and a used dryer sheet--to run around the inside of a tire-a used dryer sheet will snag easy and show if there is anything left in the tire. That's not all in there-just what's there for fixing flats. Never called for anyone to pick me and the bike up.
freeranger is offline  
Likes For freeranger:
Old 10-18-22, 12:05 PM
  #4  
genejockey 
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
 
genejockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,960

Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10424 Post(s)
Liked 11,896 Times in 6,094 Posts
I used to carry 2 tubes, but I've had much better luck with tires the last few years, so I'm back to 1. I carry "instant" patches, which generally work well enough to get home. If the tire is too damaged, I call my wife - in fact I had to do just that a month or so ago, when a piece of glass made two slashes all the way through the casing and into the tube. I couldn't imagine trusting that tire not to tear apart no matter how well I booted it in the 25 miles I'd have had to ride home.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."

"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
genejockey is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 12:28 PM
  #5  
Broctoon
Super-duper Genius
 
Broctoon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Muskrat Springs, Utah
Posts: 1,713
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 768 Post(s)
Liked 984 Times in 508 Posts
Originally Posted by bikehoco
- Do you carry more than 1 spare tube?

No. On a few bikes I have tubeless tires, and I carry a CO2 bottle and inflator valve, plus sometimes a small bottle of sealant. On my bikes with tubes, I carry at least a patch kit and a pump or CO2, sometimes one tube as well.

Originally Posted by bikehoco
- Do you carry a patch kit?

Always, on my bikes with tubes.

Originally Posted by bikehoco
- Will Uber pick up you and the bike?
I don't know about that.
Broctoon is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 12:30 PM
  #6  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,235
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18411 Post(s)
Liked 15,531 Times in 7,327 Posts
Road bike: Even though I run tubeless, I still carry at least one tube (sometimes 2) and 2 CO2 cartridges.

Touring bike: When out on tour, I will take 3 tubes and a patch kit if bike shops will be few and far between (or not there at all). When bike shops will be more readily available, I will take 2 tubes and a patch kit. Either way, pump is a Road Morph G. if I am commuting close to home on it, I sometimes won't bother with any flat fixing stuff. My one office is only two miles from home. I can walk that if necessary.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 10-18-22, 12:45 PM
  #7  
boozergut
Full Member
 
boozergut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 499

Bikes: Kona Dew, Gary Fisher Paragon, Salsa Campeon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 81 Posts
I carry some inflator cartridges. But to answer your question, yes, an UBER XL will take you home.
I have switched to schwalbe marathon plus tires and tuffy tire liners. That has helped a great deal.
boozergut is offline  
Likes For boozergut:
Old 10-18-22, 01:27 PM
  #8  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,851

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2135 Post(s)
Liked 1,646 Times in 828 Posts
1 spare tube, 1 patch kit and one frame pump.

During hot weather, it wouldn't be kind to an Uber driver to drench their seats with sweat, so I don't consider that an option.
Paul Barnard is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 01:42 PM
  #9  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,904

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times in 2,553 Posts
I carry 2 tubes, patch kit and 5 or more dollar bills to serve as temporary boots to get me home. Zephal HP or HPX pumps on all my bikes.

Whenever possible, I patch the tube at the time. That gives me a marker to where the issue is. I then find said issue and fix/remove it. (I carry a Leatherman that has a very square tipped pliers. Best tool I've ever used for removing tiny car thread wires and thorn tips.)
79pmooney is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 02:17 PM
  #10  
Herzlos
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 503

Bikes: Way too many

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 897 Post(s)
Liked 606 Times in 363 Posts
I've normally got a tube and a patch kit. Patching at the roadside is a pain so I'd rather throw on a new tube and patch in my nice warm garage. The patch kit is there for when the new tube punctures too, because it's still quicker than getting a taxi home.
Herzlos is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 02:21 PM
  #11  
Aardwolf
Wheelman
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Putney, London UK
Posts: 844

Bikes: 1982 Holdsworth Avanti (531), 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times in 340 Posts
I don't (yet) carry a spare, or any tools.
Running tubulars with Orange Seal in them.
But I'm in London so if I'm stuck I just take the front wheel off and jump in any black cab
Edit: Or I can get on the tube.

Last edited by Aardwolf; 10-18-22 at 02:23 PM. Reason: Tubes
Aardwolf is offline  
Likes For Aardwolf:
Old 10-18-22, 02:23 PM
  #12  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,214

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2581 Post(s)
Liked 5,636 Times in 2,920 Posts
On my tubed bike:
1 tube
1 patch kit
1 tire boot - like a dollar bill (remember those?)
tire levers
1 multitool
2 CO2s and valve
1 mini-pump

and all of that fits in this:


Never been stranded.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️








Last edited by rsbob; 10-18-22 at 06:45 PM.
rsbob is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 02:40 PM
  #13  
2_i 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,706

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times in 251 Posts
Mini floor pump + elaborate patch kit. Carrying a spare tube was in practice pointless for me. I ride differently sized wheels on different bikes. I can remember to take along my tire repair set, but remembering to swap the tube for another size has been beyond me - I usually ended up with the wrong size taken along.
2_i is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 02:48 PM
  #14  
delbiker1 
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,116

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 853 Post(s)
Liked 1,434 Times in 816 Posts
For most of my rides; spare tube, patch kit, co2 canister and a frame pump. I rarely know where I will be going, or for how long, when I ride. There is a lot of cell phone dead area where I live. I lighten up when/if I know I am going for a quick and/or fast ride. I do not have one of my bikes set up for just that purpose, I like to switch rides regardless of what kind of ride I am going to do.
delbiker1 is online now  
Old 10-18-22, 02:53 PM
  #15  
10 Wheels
Galveston County Texas
 
10 Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times in 621 Posts
I carry 5 Spare Tubes, One Spare Tire, CO 2 and a Pump to get back riding.
Never patch at on the road. Patch at Home and Test for 24 hours before using.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 03:27 PM
  #16  
Leisesturm
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,992
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2494 Post(s)
Liked 738 Times in 522 Posts
I know, I know, but seriously. Since switching to Bontrager HardCase 25mm (and 2.0") tires I don't carry patch tools on any rides, long or short. Nada. Not for years. Years I tell you.
Leisesturm is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 03:41 PM
  #17  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by bikehoco

- Do you carry more than 1 spare tube?
- Do you carry a patch kit?
- Will Uber pick up you and the bike?
I carry 3 spare tubes on all my rides . If it's a long distance ride I will also add a patch kit. I don't use Co2, I prefer a pump...I won't make a call of shame unless I was injured or sick and unable to continue or stranded in some remote area far away.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 06:43 PM
  #18  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,214

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2581 Post(s)
Liked 5,636 Times in 2,920 Posts
I carry 20 spare tubes, a floor pump, a complete tool set, extra wheels and tires and everything needed to build my bike from scratch, 'cause you just never know. Or you can read my earlier post with the byline: in 40 years carrying that stuff has NEVER left me stranded.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 06:59 PM
  #19  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,904

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times in 2,553 Posts
Originally Posted by 2_i
Mini floor pump + elaborate patch kit. Carrying a spare tube was in practice pointless for me. I ride differently sized wheels on different bikes. I can remember to take along my tire repair set, but remembering to swap the tube for another size has been beyond me - I usually ended up with the wrong size taken along.
I run a toolbag on each bike with the appropriate tubes. No brains or memory required. And I've done enough rides where tubes have died. Failures near the valves, the seam between tube and valve sleeve (very expensive latex tubes - both front and rear failed two miles apart), cuts that ran bigger than my patches ... Rides where I was running out of daylight. A ride that simply became "epic" with apparently several years of bad luck rolled into a solo century.
79pmooney is offline  
Likes For 79pmooney:
Old 10-18-22, 07:02 PM
  #20  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,904

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times in 2,553 Posts
Originally Posted by delbiker1
For most of my rides; spare tube, patch kit, co2 canister and a frame pump. I rarely know where I will be going, or for how long, when I ride. There is a lot of cell phone dead area where I live. I lighten up when/if I know I am going for a quick and/or fast ride. I do not have one of my bikes set up for just that purpose, I like to switch rides regardless of what kind of ride I am going to do.
My approach. 6 bikes. Two tubes, no CO2 but otherwise like you.
79pmooney is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 07:03 PM
  #21  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,904

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times in 2,553 Posts
Originally Posted by 2_i
Mini floor pump + elaborate patch kit. Carrying a spare tube was in practice pointless for me. I ride differently sized wheels on different bikes. I can remember to take along my tire repair set, but remembering to swap the tube for another size has been beyond me - I usually ended up with the wrong size taken along.
I run a toolbag on each bike with the appropriate tubes. No brains or memory required. And I've done enough rides where tubes have died. Failures near the valves, the seam between tube and valve sleeve (very expensive latex tubes - both front and rear failed two miles apart), cuts that ran bigger than my patches ... Rides where I was running out of daylight. A ride that simply became "epic" with apparently several years of bad luck rolled into a solo century.
79pmooney is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 07:10 PM
  #22  
Mtracer
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Albuquerque NM USA
Posts: 492
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 222 Post(s)
Liked 303 Times in 193 Posts
I mostly ride roads. I run tubeless, I carry:
1 spare tube
patch kit
small pump
several CO2 cartridges and valve
boot
Dynaplugs
tire levers

I've never needed the tube or of course the patch kit for the tube or tire levers. But do use the plugs and CO2 a few times per year when a large puncture won't seal. I could certainly get by without the tube etc. But, I like the idea of being almost certain I can deal with any sort of puncture without having to phone a friend. The tube etc. simply doesn't take up that much room and I'm not a weight weenie.

I pull goat heads out of my tires after almost every ride and these leak air for a moment until I spin the wheel to get sealant in there. I have a few bikes I don't ride often enough to keep up with sealant. In those cases I use tire liners, heavy duty tubes, and Slime. Still carry spare tubes etc. for those.
Mtracer is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 08:00 PM
  #23  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,877
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,962 Times in 4,688 Posts
Originally Posted by rsbob
I carry 20 spare tubes, a floor pump, a complete tool set, extra wheels and tires and everything needed to build my bike from scratch, 'cause you just never know. Or you can read my earlier post with the byline: in 40 years carrying that stuff has NEVER left me stranded.
WHAT!? You don't carry a welding rig?

You are flirting with disaster.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 10-18-22, 08:17 PM
  #24  
jon c. 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,811
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,018 Times in 571 Posts
One tube, one patch kit and 2 CO2 carts.

But the patch kit is so old I doubt the glue is still fluid enough to use.
jon c. is offline  
Old 10-18-22, 08:28 PM
  #25  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26413 Post(s)
Liked 10,379 Times in 7,207 Posts
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Likes For 3alarmer:


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.