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Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race?
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| General Discussion | Triathlon Talk » Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? | Rss Feed  |
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 2015-05-16 11:30 PM |
 18 Vancouver, British Columbia |  Subject: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race?This might seem like a stupid question for those who are quick at changing flats, but for me, I'm slow at it and my race would probably be done if I got a flat. So I ask myself, is it worth the extra weight to carry? I've got the little zipper bag that straps onto the seat post, In there is a tube a few plastic tire levers and a CO2 canister. Of course, on long traing rides carrying the kit makes total sense, but for a race, so much time would be lost changing your tire, that I don't know if it is worth it? My race is in 2 days. This is only my 3rd Sprint, so I'm still learning lots of things... |
| 2015-05-16 11:57 PM in reply to: 0 |
643   | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Yes. The 8 ozs of extra weight is not going to make or break your day at all. A lot of races don't have bike support or the ones that do, they just don't show up (at least the ones I've been to). Last year I had it bad. Both my spares came off somewhere and I got a flat naturally (first one ever during a race). Result: me walking 5 miles back to transition. I knew I wasn't going to place with the flat (was going to be my first race where I was going to place though!) but not having to walk 5 miles in my socks/bare feet sure would have been nice. Edited by Blastman 2015-05-16 11:57 PM |
| 2015-05-16 11:58 PM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
| 110 | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Yes I do. The biggest reason for bringing it is that I don't see any benefit from not bringing it  I, like you, will not compete for any podium finishes and carrying that extra few grams will not be noticeable at all neither on my legs nor my time. Even if your race is "done" if you get a flat, I would much rather be able to fix my tire and ride back than to have to wait for the sweeper car (if your race has any) or to walk back. Good luck at your race!! |
| 2015-05-17 1:20 AM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Every time. Even if I was to lose 5-10 minutes, the race is still happening, I still get to bike, I still get to run, I still get to finish. Plus, who would want to walk back half-way through a bike course cause they didn't carry a spare even if they DID call it quits. Practice your changes, carry the spare |
| 2015-05-17 4:42 AM in reply to: dfquigley |
Champion 9407  Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Yes - even if you decide not to finish, 10k is a long walk in bike shoes or barefoot. Shane |
| 2015-05-17 5:12 AM in reply to: gsmacleod |
| 87 | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? At first I would take my little saddle bag off, then I realised it probably didn't make any difference and just left it on, and I guess I'd rather mess around for 5-10 mins fixing it than walk back |
| 2015-05-17 7:00 AM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
Member 1004 | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? I don't for sprints. The chance of getting a flat are slim so I go without. |
| 2015-05-17 9:20 AM in reply to: engima |
Expert 1644 Oklahoma | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? I can't think of one good reason not to bring it with you. Even if you race is done and you don't want to finish at least you aren't pushing your bike and walking back to transition. |
| 2015-05-17 10:22 AM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
Extreme Veteran 1986 Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? For an Ironman or half-Iron race I do. For a sprint or oly I don't. Spending a couple of minutes changing a tire for a 56 or 112 mile bike ride is not that big a deal. I could arguably make that up by cycling harder for a little bit after my "rest" during the flat repair. I could also save the same amount of time by not stopping at a port-a-potty and just peeing on myself. For a sprint or oly that 2-3 minutes could mean the difference between podium and 20th place in my AG. So I'd just DNF a sprint or oly race if I got a flat. |
| 2015-05-17 12:57 PM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
| 788 Across the river from Memphis, Tennessee | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? I have the bag under the seat like you do and a pump on my downtube. I may be a BOBOPer, but I'd much rather change a tube and ride the rest of the way in as opposed to walking. |
| 2015-05-17 2:09 PM in reply to: 0 |
Member 65 | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Definitely not into walking back, always carry tube repair and CO2. Edited by Pete1234 2015-05-17 2:09 PM |
| 2015-05-17 4:18 PM in reply to: Pete1234 |
Extreme Veteran 959 Greenwood, South Carolina | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Originally posted by Pete1234 Definitely not into walking back, always carry tube repair and CO2. X2. I haven't had a flat in a race but did have a bad wreck. Had to work on my bike for about the amount of time it takes to change a flat. I still came in third. Never count yourself out. |
| 2015-05-17 6:34 PM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
| Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Yup...I rather ride back to transition than walk. Even if you did catch a ride from someone, it may be difficult given possible road closures. you still need to pick up your stuff from transition and return your chip...I rather have my bike in working order through that process instead of having to push around a bike with a flat. |
| 2015-05-17 6:35 PM in reply to: GODAWGS |
Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Probably also worth mentioning that a well thought out flat kit should not result in much aerodynamic penalty and the added weight is completely meaningless so there's really no downside to carrying one. Shane |
| 2015-05-17 8:36 PM in reply to: gsmacleod |
Regular 606 Portland, Oregon | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Originally posted by gsmacleod Probably also worth mentioning that a well thought out flat kit should not result in much aerodynamic penalty and the added weight is completely meaningless so there's really no downside to carrying one. Shane All good points! But still, I don't care. The weight penalty isn't completely meaningless, though. It is there and it is probably smaller than I imagine (but perhaps more than you think). When I jump into a race (and I only race short stuff where a flat is game over), I get a big mental boost thinking that I am in all out race mode. Sure, I don't have the best bike or the fastest gear, but I know that I'm also not dragging around some mass that can only slow me down. |
| 2015-05-18 7:17 AM in reply to: dfroelich |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Originally posted by dfroelich Originally posted by gsmacleod Probably also worth mentioning that a well thought out flat kit should not result in much aerodynamic penalty and the added weight is completely meaningless so there's really no downside to carrying one. Shane All good points! But still, I don't care. The weight penalty isn't completely meaningless, though. It is there and it is probably smaller than I imagine (but perhaps more than you think). When I jump into a race (and I only race short stuff where a flat is game over), I get a big mental boost thinking that I am in all out race mode. Sure, I don't have the best bike or the fastest gear, but I know that I'm also not dragging around some mass that can only slow me down. Unless your being knocked off the podium by 5 seconds or less, not carrying the kit to change a flat seems silly. If you do enough races you will flat eventually and without that kit you have a lot of walking to do. |
| 2015-05-18 7:20 AM in reply to: dfroelich |
Pro 6011 Camp Hill, Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Originally posted by dfroelich Originally posted by gsmacleod Probably also worth mentioning that a well thought out flat kit should not result in much aerodynamic penalty and the added weight is completely meaningless so there's really no downside to carrying one. Shane All good points! But still, I don't care. The weight penalty isn't completely meaningless, though. It is there and it is probably smaller than I imagine (but perhaps more than you think). When I jump into a race (and I only race short stuff where a flat is game over), I get a big mental boost thinking that I am in all out race mode. Sure, I don't have the best bike or the fastest gear, but I know that I'm also not dragging around some mass that can only slow me down. Yes, in the context of the race, it's meaningless. Not carrying one is silly.
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| 2015-05-18 7:52 AM in reply to: mike761 |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Originally posted by mike761 Originally posted by dfroelich Unless your being knocked off the podium by 5 seconds or less, not carrying the kit to change a flat seems silly. If you do enough races you will flat eventually and without that kit you have a lot of walking to do. Originally posted by gsmacleod Probably also worth mentioning that a well thought out flat kit should not result in much aerodynamic penalty and the added weight is completely meaningless so there's really no downside to carrying one. Shane All good points! But still, I don't care. The weight penalty isn't completely meaningless, though. It is there and it is probably smaller than I imagine (but perhaps more than you think). When I jump into a race (and I only race short stuff where a flat is game over), I get a big mental boost thinking that I am in all out race mode. Sure, I don't have the best bike or the fastest gear, but I know that I'm also not dragging around some mass that can only slow me down. I've missed the overall by 2 seconds at a race before and there is no way I would not carry one. Keep it small, hide it well, and the actual loss from it will be practically nothing. Getting rid of the kit entirely is not one of the dozen things to do to add up to a faster race. |
| 2015-05-18 2:22 PM in reply to: #5116033 |
| 111 | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Absolutely. I have crap luck and have flatted numerous times. I seem to constantly chase the gremlins! |
| 2015-05-18 2:39 PM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
Extreme Veteran 1190 Silicon Valley | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? I have thought about not carrying them for a sprint but as others have said, why not? The weight is insignificant for a MOP guy like me. Even with a slow change I would still like to finish the race. Take them along. If it happens they accept the fact that you are not going to PR and enjoy the rest of the event. |
| 2015-05-18 3:04 PM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? always |
| 2015-05-18 3:05 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
Pro 5761 Bartlett, TN | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Yes, I train with my flat kit in my bag under the seat, and I race with it also |
| 2015-05-18 3:07 PM in reply to: WhiteCatzs |
Regular 591 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? I never carry a change kit because I am completely incapable of changing a tire. |
| 2015-05-18 3:53 PM in reply to: Swimbikeron |
| 1521 Cypress, Texas | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? I have never regretted bringing something I didn't need. Only needing something I decided not to bring.
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| 2015-05-18 4:33 PM in reply to: Swimbikeron |
Regular 134 Oregon | Subject: RE: Do you carry a flat tire changing kit during your Tri Race? Originally posted by Swimbikeron I never carry a change kit because I am completely incapable of changing a tire. I feel the same way, and yet I bring it hoping that if I did get a flat, some good samaritan might help me if I had the gear. Or I might learn on the fly. serious question here, can I practice changing a "flat tire" before I actually get a flat? Is this something I can just do at home with a working tire? |
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