Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
I'm trying to work out why you would carry a lock.
Why do people bother to carry puncture repair kits with them?
- Thread starter Thursday guy
- Start date
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- Tags
- puncture
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rualexander
Legendary Member
To lock my bike to an immoveable object.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
Why would you want to do that?
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
On my inner city commute, it's (normally, 9 times out of 10) quicker for me to repair the puncture than wait for a bus.
Out on my country rides? I could dig the iron ore, smelt it into steel, and reinvent the velocipede before a bus came along!
Out on my country rides? I could dig the iron ore, smelt it into steel, and reinvent the velocipede before a bus came along!
rualexander
Legendary Member
To deter theft.
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
I carry skab (ono) patches with me now, it's a matter of moments to fix a puncture.
The old style (hark at me) rubber patch and rubber solution are slow and can be messy by comparison but still quicker cheaper easier and a far more practical solution than abandoning a bike to potential damage or theft, wasting time and fuel/money leaving it and going back for it all to do the same thing you'd do at the roadside.
If you drive and your car broke down, would you abandon that, hop on a bus home, call the AA or local garage from there and then get another bus back to go and meet them at the car?
Incidentally, Greater Manchester's entire Metrolink network has been down for 5 hours today, delays galore when it finally got fixed and knock on's onto other public transport.
A bike even with a puncture once or twice a year on lucky average is still a better and more direct option even in a big urban splash like Manchester.
But each to their own and all that.
The old style (hark at me) rubber patch and rubber solution are slow and can be messy by comparison but still quicker cheaper easier and a far more practical solution than abandoning a bike to potential damage or theft, wasting time and fuel/money leaving it and going back for it all to do the same thing you'd do at the roadside.
If you drive and your car broke down, would you abandon that, hop on a bus home, call the AA or local garage from there and then get another bus back to go and meet them at the car?
Incidentally, Greater Manchester's entire Metrolink network has been down for 5 hours today, delays galore when it finally got fixed and knock on's onto other public transport.
A bike even with a puncture once or twice a year on lucky average is still a better and more direct option even in a big urban splash like Manchester.
But each to their own and all that.
Debade
Über Member
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
While we have terrible bicycling infrastructure in Connecticut, USA, we do have a couple of cool things around here. One is bike racks on buses. So, it can be helpful for my local commutes if I have a flat and would prefer to fix it at home. But, as many of you have said, it is limited opportunity for many rides since I am out of the bus service area. .
But, a real cool program that has been around for a year or so is the automotive insurance company, AAA, which has offered road repair for cars (flats/dead battery/etc) for years, now offers support for bikes to AAA members. They will transport you and your bike for up to 10 miles if you have a breakdown. That may get you home or perhaps back to public transport or simply closer to a friend.
I do carry tire changing stuff since it is fairly easy work but I also like the backup.
Perhaps if there are any AAA members on the site, you may want to mention this program to the UK AAA company.
But, a real cool program that has been around for a year or so is the automotive insurance company, AAA, which has offered road repair for cars (flats/dead battery/etc) for years, now offers support for bikes to AAA members. They will transport you and your bike for up to 10 miles if you have a breakdown. That may get you home or perhaps back to public transport or simply closer to a friend.
I do carry tire changing stuff since it is fairly easy work but I also like the backup.
Perhaps if there are any AAA members on the site, you may want to mention this program to the UK AAA company.
Colin_P
Guru
It is an integral part of cycling, as others have said, none at all for ages, then lots in short succesion and even rarely two at the same time. It is far better to overcome any pucture fixing phobia and get on and do it.
Fixing a puncture is also a guilt free way to have a little rest.
Fixing a puncture is also a guilt free way to have a little rest.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Unlit country lanes for me with no bus service to where i work or anywhere close especially at the times i commute .]With regards punctures i used to average 5-6 a year over 5000 ish miles .
The record is 3 punctures within a couple of miles ....................
The record is 3 punctures within a couple of miles ....................
Racing roadkill
Guru
That's the difference between a cyclist, and someone that rides a bike. A cyclist would rather down hemlock, than give in to the p*ncture fairy, a person on a bike will phone for a lift / use public transport, to get them home.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Also if you carry a puncture repair kit you can lend it to those who go out without one
.
I've only abandoned my bike once and that was when I had a mechanical where part of my disk brake pad jammed in the mechanism and I needed some brute force, so I continued to my nearby destination (had the intended meeting) and then got a lift back to pick up the bike.
.I've only abandoned my bike once and that was when I had a mechanical where part of my disk brake pad jammed in the mechanism and I needed some brute force, so I continued to my nearby destination (had the intended meeting) and then got a lift back to pick up the bike.
- Location
- London
Sorry. Am speechless. Await more posts on your minimalist approach to cycling.
- Location
- London
Generally agree, though I would add beginners. I am sure most of us did it when we were kids/when we began adult cycling.
I would add to the sin/idiot bin some mamils who ride with mini mini ear-ring pumps.
I do hope the OP has a smartlhone so that, if s/he has coverage they can post a help plea to cchat.
