What to carry on the bike?
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PJT posted 2 years ago.
You could wait a long time for the support van if you flat. Opinions here differ on whether to race with a blowout kit, but I carry a bag behind my seat w/ a CO2 inflator, a spare tube, tire levers, a tiny patch kit, and a CO2 cartridge.
My main goal with races is just to finish--so I won't drop out for mechanical issues that are within my ability to fix (like a tire). Waiting for a support crew or walking with the bike doesn't sound too appealing to me.
Also, a blowout kit is not much use if you don't know how to change a tire. If that's the case, get someone to teach you and practice, practice, practice.
2954
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1369 days
Anton posted 2 years ago.
Two schools of thought:
1.Carry Nothing. It's a sprint for cryin' out loud! By the time ya fix a flat you'll be finishin' with the 70 to 74 age group!
2.Carry everything you need to fix a flat,know how to fix it...fast, then get back on it and do the best you can.
I'm with PJT. I like to finish everything I start so I carry stuff.Sometimes I don't, knowing if I puncture, I'm walkin'.
Believe me...you'll see em out there. Folks who flatten and are walking back...game over.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes...
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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1413 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
I agree - I carry spare tubes, CO2 and tools. On all rides - training or race. Sprint distance or other. Really not much weight. And a flat should not be a reason to DNF. It may keep you off the podium, but I think it is always best to finish.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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1090 days
tri-ac posted 2 years ago.
if you practice changing the tire, you can get it under 3 mins. (I know some who can do under 2mins, not me though!). 3mins shouldn't ruin your day and the tools won't weigh you down in any significant way if you don't end up using them. Carry the tools and guarantee a happy finish!
Adam
Tri-ac
461
Member
1314 days
rbreddin75 posted 2 years ago.
I carry spare tube, co2 inflator and levers in a saddlebag Genuine Innovations has several to choose from..
I changed my first flat in march during a training ride I think it took me somewhere around 4-5 mins.. (I knew how to do it before hand, just never actually had to do it before)
I carry that bag with me everywhere my bike goes..
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deepbluex posted 2 years ago.
I carry gear. I'm a convert ever since I flatted 2 miles from home. 2 miles isn't far but it is a long way to walk in cycling shoes.
I'm doing my 1st Sprint this weekend. My question is about what to carry on my bike...in the tools / tube / levers / pump category. Are we supposed to be self sufficient? ...or rely on the bike support crew scattered about?
Do you just "go bare" and risk it?
I'm thinking about being self-sufficent and buying one of those small bags that sits on the top-tube near the stem to carry enough to change a tube.
Thoughts?