Carrying Tires

Tire and tube for training, Tire and tube for racing HIM and IM.  Oly, I go naked (so to speak).

Just tubes....assuming clinchers.

I race tubulars so I bring spare tire. If I raced on clincher I wouldn't.

My thoughts exactly.  .except for my first Ironman when the side of my tire exploaded into a million pieces.   

Now with that said, I think that is a very unlikely scenario.  Can it happen?  Sure, because it did.  Will it happen more than 1 out of 100 races. . probably not.  I think taking a tire is extreme but I did carry one with me in my second Ironman just because I was scared to death.  Not sure I will do that this time around though. 

Edited by Tell3131 2009-08-10 11:19 AM

Carry a couple tubes if using clinchers.
If something's up with the clincher tire itself like a cut, you can always put in a dollar bill or an empty gel packet as a liner, then put the new tube in and remount onto the wheel.

If using tubular (which are basically tubeless tires), bring a spare tire.

Never thought about a dollar bill - that's a great idea. I've had some bad cuts on tires from shattered bottles (breaking beer bottles is a bonafide sport in Texas).

I always keep a dollar in my bike bag for this reason. An empty GU packet will work too.  We had to use the $1 two weeks ago to get one in our group home, as she got a huge split in her tire.  Although once we had a guy run over a big, rusty razor blade and it sliced his tire right in two! No GU packet will fix that!

"I always keep a dollar in my bike bag for this reason..."

So did I until I got home w/a business card stuffed in the tire. Since then, I carry business cards (or my favorite-cut outs from beer boxes). Save the buck for a gatorade!