Being prepared

[r2160]

Hi all

Sorry for the newby question, but I just want to be prepared . . .

Do I assume that a basic puncture repair kit should consist of the following (bearing in mind I ride to work so a quick change, and a repair later that night at home) and the bike has quick release hubs.

two tyre levers
two tubes
Pump

Am I missing something here? I just want to be prepared just in case.

cheers
Glenn

[Hawkeye]

Those items are essential, but what we call a puncture rpeair kit has self-vulcanising patches usually in two sizes, sandpaper to key the surface of the tube around the puncture so the glue will grip, and a little tube of rubber adhesive. Normally they come in a little plastic box.

I'd only bother with two tubes on longer off-road rides. For my home-to-CBD-and-back commuting one, does me fine.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

It's not a repair kit, rather a replacement kit, but yes, that is pretty much all you need. Torpedo 7 has a cheap multi-tool this week which will top that off nicely. Stick it all in an underseat bag and you're on your way. And don't forget a mobile phone for when you get the third puncture!

Cheers,
David

[r2160]

lol

thanks guys

I intend to repair the tubes, but riding to work, quick and simple sounds like the go.

cheers
Glenn

[gsxrboy]

lol

thanks guys

I intend to repair the tubes, but riding to work, quick and simple sounds like the go.

cheers
Glenn

Until you puncture all the tubes in one ride ! Get a little $2-3 repair kit as a backup backup

[MountGower]

I'd buy three tyre levers.

[jasimon]

I also have a pair of disposable gloves in my kit. My hands get really dirty changing a tyre - especially if it is the back one and I get grease from the chain on my hands - and the gloves deal with that problem. I have a rag for a similar reason.

In seatbag:
1 tube
1 patch kit
3 tyre levers
1 pair disposable gloves
1 rag
1 $10 note

On bike:
1 pump

[cjrich]

I also have a pair of disposable gloves in my kit. My hands get really dirty changing a tyre - especially if it is the back one and I get grease from the chain on my hands - and the gloves deal with that problem. I have a rag for a similar reason.

In seatbag:
1 tube
1 patch kit
3 tyre levers
1 pair disposable gloves
1 rag
1 $10 note

On bike:
1 pump

A mobile phone is also useful should you have a major problem.

[Kalgrm]

Until you puncture all the tubes in one ride ! Get a little $2-3 repair kit as a backup backup

If you don't ride in the rain too often, the self adhesive patches might be a good option. Apparently they don't stick well on tubes which are still wet when you are trying to patch the tube. It would be a bugger to get a third flat on a rainy day.

[zoom bean]

I also have a pair of disposable gloves in my kit. My hands get really dirty changing a tyre - especially if it is the back one and I get grease from the chain on my hands - and the gloves deal with that problem. I have a rag for a similar reason.

In seatbag:
1 tube
1 patch kit
3 tyre levers
1 pair disposable gloves
1 rag
1 $10 note

On bike:
1 pump

A mobile phone is also useful should you have a major problem.

I'd also add a little multi-tool kit to tighten anything that may come loose along the way. I can remember how much of a pain it was to try and ride home after my seat came loose once. The last 20kms riding out of the saddle took some effort.

I guess you learn as you go what is important to have on board with you to fix any little mishaps. But yeah usually the first thing to go wrong is the flat so it is good to have all the above as you will probably need that first.

[Aushiker]

I'd only bother with two tubes on longer off-road rides. For my home-to-CBD-and-back commuting one, does me fine.

I wouldn't agree with that all. There is no reason why a puncture couldn't happen down the road. Last night ... three punctures on a 26 km ride and I walked.

I always carry two tubes unless my ride is within a reasonable walking distance of home/bike shop/work.

Andrew

[Aushiker]

Until you puncture all the tubes in one ride ! Get a little $2-3 repair kit as a backup backup

It would be a bugger to get a third flat on a rainy day.

Tell me about it ... last night, pissing down, three punctures => one walk.

Andrew

[RainForeverRain]

I also carry a mini phillips screwdriver plus five allen keys that together cover everything that I have had to adjust on the bike so far (brakes, saddle, pedals, handlebars, etc.)

[gsxrboy]

Sorry to hear that,

but !

my disaster theory is proven !

[MJF]

Am I missing something here? I just want to be prepared just in case.

cheers
Glenn

As other have said, a puncture repair kit as well (just in case), and I'd pack a few pairs of disposable gloves rather than just one.

[r2160]

Well I took everybodies advice

I got three tyre levers, a puncture repair kit, organised a $10 note, always carry a phone and popped the two tubes into my little under-seat bag.

Hopefully I wont have to use them too soon!

All up $32 (+ the $10)

Already clocked up 100kms this week on the new bike and cut 5 mins from the trip time to work (and its still faster than driving the car). If only my legs would stop hurting lol.

cheers
Glenn

[simonn]

It is also a good idea to keep a few spare tubes at home (and work if commuting) to replenish the on-bike spares without having to go to a bike shop (or to take advantage of online deals . ).

[Mulger bill]

...If only my legs would stop hurting lol.

cheers
Glenn

Don't worry mate, they will.
Then you'll wanna go faster and make 'em hurt again

Shaun

[Aushiker]

Already clocked up 100kms this week on the new bike and cut 5 mins from the trip time to work (and its still faster than driving the car). If only my legs would stop hurting lol.

Well done Glenn. I suggest you keep an eye on Torpedo 7 for their tubes special. You can get a pack of 10 delivered for around $3.00 a tube.

Andrew

[ausdb]

A chainbreaker as part of a compact tool can be very handy as well, my wife to be bought me a Ritchey compact rescue tool about 12 years ago and it is always in my kit road or mtb. I have used it a few times over the years but amazingly enough never on my own bike. It's always been to get a mates bike going whilst we are out on a ride. The last time I used it was after a mate had managed to shift his deraillueur into the wheel of his less than a week old Amiata roadie (TBE in Perth house brand) after he had dropped it and not realised his derailueur hanger was bent.

Just using that tool I removed his derailleuer so he could put it in his jersey, asked him what gear he like best and turned his racer into a temporary single speed which mean't he wasn't walking home.

[Hawkeye]

Last night ... three punctures on a 26 km ride and I walked.

No patch kit?

I've had that happen too, but used the patch kit.

Toodling around with my son tonight on the dually I picked up a drawing pin in the front tyre. It was quicker to pull out a section and patch the tube than pull out the whole thing and replace.

I only use the spare tube if the original is trashed or I can't find the hole.

I don't have enough room for two tubes in the under saddle bag I use on the commuter in any case.

[zozza]

I got a pair of tweezers in my kit for removing fine bits of wire and glass from my tyres

[Aushiker]

Last night ... three punctures on a 26 km ride and I walked.

No patch kit?

I carry a patch kit, just didn't use it. Given I can walk 1 km in about 10 minutes it was hardly worth it, plus it was night (see your quote above) and pissing down with rain (see Black Cat thread) .... if you can patch a wet tube in the dark good on you ... I couldn't be bothered. That is also assuming I could have found the hole in the first place. I find this hard in good conditions, net alone in the dark, when cold and wet.

Regards
Andrew :

[zozza]

Hehe..same as my last puncture..a couple of K's from home and dark'n'wet..I couldn't be frigged fixin it and walked home

[wombatK]

I got a pair of tweezers in my kit for removing fine bits of wire and glass from my tyres

+1 for the tweezers. Fingers are pretty useless on fine wire.

Rain protection for your mobile is also essential - I use a zip-lock bag. Water is the foremost natural enemy of the mobile phone, and sweat is a close second.

-1 for self-adhesive pads. They just can't hold 100 psi pressure - might get you home, then you'll have to unpatch and repatch them (messy).

WombatK
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inch by inch, life's a cinch.
yard by yard it's very hard...
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