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flat tire in a race
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 2005-04-22 2:08 PM |
 Georgia |  Subject: flat tire in a raceI apologize if this question has already been addressed, but i'm fairly new to the site. First, I realize that a flat tire pretty much means the end of any hopes for a personal best, but is it wise to bring a spare tube and co2 pump along in a saddle bag anyway? I just can't remember this issue ever coming up in a race before for someone i know, but since i've recently been worrying about the answer, i'm certain that i'll find myself with a flat tire during my next race! Any suggestions? Thanks. |
| 2005-04-22 2:18 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Pro  4206  Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race Um...people on this board can change the flat pretty quick, within couple of minutes, so you still might do well. Also, if you never carry a spare or C02 pump, how are you going to finish the race??? That means everytime you get a flat, you get disqualified. That doesn't make sense to me why you would run that risk, especially on the longer tris. Just think in a 1/2 or full ironman, if you got a flat and had to use up 1 or 2 minutes to change the tube, that's not much time in the whole scheme of things. |
| 2005-04-22 2:22 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Master 1315 Shreveport, LA | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race Changing a flat is better is better than DNF. Like someone said a few weeks ago. Unless you are losing by 5-10 secs, then the extra weight won't hurt you. Carry 2 spare tubes, 2-3 catridges, and 2-3 tire levers. |
| 2005-04-22 2:24 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Regular 85 Illinois | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race I can't change a flat quickly but I'm still going to try to avoid that dreaded DNF at all costs. Drop the essential tools in a saddlebag and hope you don't have to use them. |
| 2005-04-22 2:25 PM in reply to: #146644 |
| Master 1384 Brooklyn, NY | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race Check with the event organizers about the CO2. I've seen on one or two sites where they are not allowed, so you'll have to blow into the tire.........(just kidding about the blowing into the tube). You'll have to pump with.....an a air pump.  |
| 2005-04-22 2:27 PM in reply to: #146662 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race cobannero - 2005-04-22 1:25 PM Check with the event organizers about the CO2. I've seen on one or two sites where they are not allowed, so you'll have to blow into the tire.........(just kidding about the blowing into the tube). You'll have to pump with.....an a air pump. Why would they ban CO2 in a race? Never seen that before, just curious as to what would be the rationale. |
| 2005-04-22 2:34 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Expert 773 | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race If you are concerned about the amount of time it takes you to change a flat tire, then I might suggest that you practice a couple of times on your next ride. The first time I had a flat was in the middle of Nowhere, Texas. Now I always carry a spare, or at minimum a patch kit. After a couple of times I got pretty efficient at changing and/or patching tubes. If you need the practice, just ride the roads I do - as they are always full of debris and glass - and that's on the good roads in West Texas. I don't even notice the extra weight now, and the peace of mind is worth it. |
| 2005-04-22 7:00 PM in reply to: #146644 |
| Georgia | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race I guess I should have mentioned that I'm focusing mostly on sprint races. i can see how this question must have looked a little ridiculous to you 1/2 and full ironman racers. thanks for the help. |
| 2005-04-22 8:40 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Master 1661 Newbury Park, CA | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race Come on people! Every time this thread comes up it reads "I can't," "I'm slow," "I won't PB," Wah, wah, wah. WHY CAN'T YOU CHANGE A FREAKIN' FLAT?! Stop what you are doing right now and go get your front wheel (cause I'm sure you would whine about not being able to get the back one off), bring it to the couch, let the air out, take out the tube, put it back in, add air. WOW! You spent more time going to the bike shop this past month buying all sorts of crap that you think will make you go faster. Learn the basics and DON'T be left standing on the side of the road. If it took you over 5 minutes do it again next week, of it took you a half hour do it again now!
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| 2005-04-22 9:24 PM in reply to: #146655 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race A couple of minutes? You overestimate many of us! In three years of riding, I have only changed one flat ever...I've watched a bunch of other people change flat tires on THEIR bikes, but have only changed one myself. I am SO SCREWED if I ever get a flat in a race. I'd practice, but I'm afraid I'll cause MORE flats by taking the tires on and off so much. Maybe I'll practice on my training bike..... |
| 2005-04-22 9:28 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Veteran 279 Richmond, VA | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race Some folks are too cool to carry a kit bag for a sprint race. Me? Call me fred. I carry CO2, tube, patch kit, levers, and a condom in my kit for each and every race, regardless of distance. Edited by fraggle 2005-04-22 9:29 PM |
| 2005-04-22 10:19 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Extreme Veteran 386 Fort Worth, TX | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race I got a flat in my first Oly. It sucked. It took the wind out of my sails. I'm not a fast racer as it is...but it took my from a BOPer to a DFLer. But I was DANG proud that I wasn't a DNFer. Carry your tools...you don't want to sit on the side of the road waiting for the sag wagon. |
| 2005-04-23 11:46 AM in reply to: #146858 |
Extreme Veteran 439 Germantown, MD | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race fraggle - 2005-04-22 9:28 PM Some folks are too cool to carry a kit bag for a sprint race. Me? Call me fred. I carry CO2, tube, patch kit, levers, and a condom in my kit for each and every race, regardless of distance. Uh..... condom? What purpose? |
| 2005-04-23 12:07 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race I have to agree with PGoldbeger on this one. Just practice changing a flat once in awhile; it's easy and it gets quicker to do every time you do it. And why lug a tool bad around; I simply carry two spare tubes in my back jersey pocket along with 2 tire irons. And I fasten my mini-pump to my aero bars parallel to my handlebar. I prefer a pump because I would hate to rely on a CO2 cartridge only to find that it does not have enough air left to blow up my tire. |
| 2005-04-23 2:36 PM in reply to: #146978 |
Veteran 279 Richmond, VA | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race |
| 2005-04-23 3:58 PM in reply to: #146644 |
Extreme Veteran 360 Camarillo, California | Subject: RE: flat tire in a race thats why tubulars are so great to race with.they rduce rolling friction, the rims and tires are lighter, and if you get a flat you muscle the tire off the rim, and just throw on a pre-streched tube, fill the air, and go. but you cant make sharp corners or the tube will roll of |
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