Always carry 2 inner tubes

[kevin_cambs_uk]

We all know the weather today was bad, coming home, half way, with 8 miles to go ran over an over turned road sign which when I saw it, was too late.

Double puncture straight away, but luckily I carry 2 inners, so replaced them both, but what struck me was that if I had not had 2 I would have been shafted, because where I was there were no street lights, I would have stood no chance of fixing with my puncture kit as it was dark windy and raining.

Worst of all it was so cold that once I started on the rear wheel, I was shivering, and by the time I was pumping the tyres up I could not feel my fingers anymore.

Once finished and ready to go, it took me a good 3 minutes to get my gloves back on, using my teeth.

Luckily there was a great tail wind and so I was able to limp home with half tyre pressure.

So take care of there folks and remember to check your essential gear you need, especially inner tubes!

 

[Flying Dodo]

Top tip - you can use your front light to help find a puncture.

And if it's raining, in the past I've simply rubbed the tube dry whilst leaning over it, and put a Park instant patch on it.

But you're right, if it's really cold & wet, best to have lots of spare inner tubes!

 

[upsidedown]

I always carry a lightweight fleece at this time of year and spare gloves. Surprising how quickly you can get into bother in this weather.

 

[ufkacbln]

Do you really think that the P*nct*re Fairy can't count to 3?

 

[Number14]

Or four ...

 

[automatic_jon]

Or four ...

She made it to five last weekend!

 

[ColinJ]

I always carry at least 2 tubes and a puncture kit. On rides over 100 miles, I often carry 3 tubes.

 

[smutchin]

Hadn't considered the possibility of getting two flats at once. Hmm. Food for thought... Second spare tube now packed in saddlebag. Good advice.

Must also replenish my supply of Park Super Patches.

I do carry a Petzl Tikkina headtorch and a mini Maglite though. Very handy at this time of year.

d.

 

[potsy]

Or you could get some M+ and not carry any spare tubes

For the record I carry 2,plus some of the Park glueless patches,the flat I got in August was temporarily fixed with one of them and is still holding firm 3 months later

 

[decca234uk]

Definetly two tubes for me and a puncture kit. good point about the dark though. I think I'll start carrying a mini torch in my kit. I remember having to use the light from my mobile once to find some glass in my tyre, took me ages.

 

[jay clock]

Latex gloves. Stick them in with the tubes. They keep you hands warmer when mending the problem, and also of course cleaner

 

[jimboalee]

Done it, done it....

Bless the fairy.

My last P* was on 8th November 2009.

 

[jimboalee]

Done it, done it....

Bless the fairy.

My last P* was on 8th November 2009.

3650 miles.

 

[leemo]

Can always run out of tubes, so should carry n+1!!

I carry one spare tube and parktool patches on my 8.5 miles commute. Once I had to resort to the patches because the valve on the spare tube was found to be broken, but only when I used it to fix a puncture.

Maybe I'll get caught out one day, but I reckon if you never run out of spare tubes you are hauling too many.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Well after inspection last night, rear tyre wall punctured, so the tyre is no good and both tubes cuts were bigger than the patches I have so a right mess, so onto emergency tyres this week until the new ones come from Wiggle.

But it could have been worse, at least the tail wind was so strong you could free wheel on the flat.