cheapshades

I ran into a guy on my trail today who had a punctured tire. He is a college student and was commuting on a mountain bike. I have an extra tube for my bike, but unfortunately it wasn't something that I could offer him due to the size difference. If I would've had a few extra tubes of common sizes with me, there's a chance I could have helped him right there.

Anyone else do something like this? Also, if I decide to do it, what are 2 other very common tube sizes that would have the highest likelihood of being useful?

Thanks!

Edit: I am really new to biking, and the concept of a patch kit just didn't cross my mind.

Wildwood 

No!
What size should I carry? Stem length? Tubulars, too? TPU, Latex, surely not just Butyl! Stem extenders? Presta, Shrader?

edit: We live in the cell phone era. I also don't carry chains, cables, spare batteries, etc.

jadmt

well a good patch kit takes the place of multiple size tubes. I would help patch but I carry higher end tubes and when I ride it is usually long rides so I am not giving my tubes up to a stranger, a patch yes.

jadmt

yup, offer a patch but that is it for me.

cheapshades

Oh duh. Obviously. I feel dumb for even asking, now.

Wildwood 

I don't carry a patch kit. Check the tire, Swap the tube and Go. Patch at home. But, in ~3 situations over 40 years of cycling I have given another cyclist my spare tube that would fit. I ride tubulars about 2/3 of the time and never had a request/need from those riders.

Broctoon

I would be inclined to offer a stranger the use of my pump or tools, and would probably even give away my spare tube if that's what's needed and it happened to be the right size. No way am I carrying extra sizes.

I should say I'd let someone use my pump on the one condition that she's not an attractive female, when my wife is with me. I did that once and my wife didn't like it. We were riding together and encountered a small group stopped along the trail. One of these riders, who was very good looking, asked to borrow my pump. Of course I allowed it. Everyone in the group chatted for a few minutes while she pumped up her tire. Later, my wife claimed that she was flirting with me pretty hard. She stopped short of accusing me of flirting back, but she wasn't happy about it. I thought from now on I'd better be ready to say, "I'm sorry, I do have a pump and I see that you need it, but you are beautiful, so I cannot stop."

shelbyfv

I've had occasion to share quick links several times over the years. Carry what you would need and another one or two sizes. 9-11 would be a useful range.

cyclezen

I don't carry a patch kit anymore, only Park Tooks GP-2 patches (self-sticking patch, works on TPU also...)
They might be offered ! / ONE..
or offered one ph call, on my cell...
... not set in stone - one guy's sob story was so unique, Arabian nights - he got 2 patches...LOL!
ride on
Yuri

Wildwood 

I carry compressed air cylinders instead of a pump. I feel sorry for mini-pump users - and have filled a few tubes in a second. To the amazement of most pumpers.

edit in view of below comment - I carry multiple compressed air cylinders, not one or two. Small, but a bit heavy, I must confess. The frame pump comes along when I ride with everything in jersey pockets.


TBH - I almost never suffer flats - luck, tires replaced before worn out, mostly on roads not gravel, inspect for cuts, luck, etc.

jadmt

while you would beat me for sure, I can pump up several flats on a ride. Yesterday I flatted a RH RTP and was pretty amazed how fast my little Silca Tattico had it pumped up to ~50psi. took about 2 minutes. there is so much crap on the roads here tubes, patches and pump get used way too often.

jadmt

I am not picky, I consider those a patch kit too .

Mojo31

Your response to your wife could have been, “Other than you, my dear, why would I want to be with anyone who would want to be with me?”

79pmooney

I've helped out both mini pumpers and cylinder users with my frame pump. And at least a couple of Silca pump users. (Zephal HPs or HPXs liver on all my bikes.)

ThermionicScott 

My main bike has 650B wheels, but I often pack a 700x28-32C tube as well, just in case someone else needs one. It has come in handy a few times, and I figure it's good karma.

big john

I rarely carry more than 1 tube. Friends have given me a tube when I have double-flatted or I have patched the second flat when alone.

I met my ex wife when she had a flat and I patched it for her.

I was riding my mountain bike on a hot day. I passed a young couple on the way up and she was struggling with the heat. I took a side trip to a fire station and refilled my Camelbak and when I got to the descent they were walking because she had a front flat. They had decided to make a loop and had never been there so they were basically lost with a flat and it was getting hotter.

She had 26" wheels and had no tube or any way to fix it. I offered to try and patch it and the guy wouldn't hear of it. I was concerned for her survival and really tried to help. The guy asked for directions and wanted me to leave after that. A 5+ mile walk in 100+ heat and she was already in trouble. At least he could have dropped the seat on his bike and given it to her, then rode hers down on the flat.

eduskator

No. I don't carry anything aside from my wheel removing tool 90% of the time. For the remaining 10%, I only carry 1 TPU tube and a CO2 cartridge for longer rides (Anything longer than 3 hours basically or if I am not close to my house).

I am aware of the consequences of not carrying anything. It's a calculated risk I take. I don't expect others to provide me with tubes, levers and a pump, but I do rely on my girlfriend to come pick me up if that happens since I never ride very far from my place.

It's very kind of you though to think about others.

curbtender

I've got a pack that I use when offroad riding that splits time between a 26 and 29er so I keep one of each. Not meant for a save but they have been used by fellow riders.

Troul 

I dont have much room to carry extra stuff that wouldn't be a good fit for my potential needs.
With that said, if my patch/plug kit is a suitable solution for someone that I happen to see broke down along the way, I'll assist.

Lastly, I've had in the past stopped to help someone with a flat & the attitude that they gave me when my tube wouldn't fit, was a kick in my face. It's those types that make me really think twice helping out a cycling stranger in need.

aliasfox

If I'm riding alone, then I'm looking at one tube, glueless patches, two tire levers, and a CO2 canister in my saddle bag. No room for spare tubes, really.

If riding with a group, the CO2 canister will often be supplemented by my Topeak Road Morph (if I'm riding the bike that has the mount). Hoping others at least brought a spare tube.

If I come across someone else on the road, I'm happy to offer a patch or the use of the Road Morph (or other tools). Could offer the cell phone, too (if I have service).

ThermionicScott 

I can see why you'd be hesitant to help fix flats after that.

plumberroy

I know from my days off having no money that I can make tubes work in several different sizes. 5 of my 8 bikes have Topeak quick track racks. I carry a 700c tube,presta valve stem and an adapter for presta to Schrader .tire levers , patches 2 CO2 cartridge a small crank Bros pump and multi-tool couple different quick links small adjustable wrench and small first aid kit in a Topeak trunk bag. With the exception of adjusting a seat or handlebars I have not to work on one of my bikes out riding for a long time. I have helped others several times. The bikes that don't have Topeak racks my Surly Steamroller has a 15 mm wrench that I cut the open end off, correct tube, small multi-tool patches CO2 inflator and cartridge in a saddle bag and a small frame mounted pump . My Gravity 29 plus has saddle bag with multi-tool, patch kit and a bigger frame mounted pump since I only run 20 psi my old specialized Hardrock has saddle bag with multi-tool, patch kit ,15mm stubby wrench , CO2 inflator and cartridge and a small pump on the frame . The multi-tools carried in the saddle bags have tire levers.
Edit : I didn't see this was road bike I'm an old fat guy so I'm not into Minimalist and go fast. Nothing wrong with that just not my thing. I've given road bikers CO2 cartridges a couple of times. I just search new post

wheelreason

No, I do carry glueless patches and duct tape on longer or organized rides though. I also have tools in the car, it's amazing how many folks I see walking bikes when running errands and driving around

Inusuit

I have enough stuff in my get home bag. No room for extras on the off chance I might encounter someone who could use the extra tube in some size other than mine. I have never encountered a rider with a flat who was not in the process of dealing with it. I did once turn my SUV around and gave a guy and his bike a ride to his house after a mechanical.

JochenRindt

In my saddle bag, I always carry tire levers, a tube, a patch kit, a set of allen wrenches, and a towelette. It is hard to say whether I would give someone my new tube for two reasons. What if I have a blowout? And, tubes are now $12. But I would be more than happy to patch someone's tube.