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One of those days, had to make the dreaded phone call...

by sergius
Sun, Oct 09, 2016 16:10
35

"Hi, I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere, can you come and get me?"

It's not worth going into the shouting match about how I ruined the day, or that the postcode for the garage I was waiting at was actually wrong, sending her 8 miles up the road via a massively long way around.

The upshot to all of this is that there is precisely zero chance she'll ever come and pick me up again, so I need to ensure that I never get stuck like that again.

 

From a technical point of view I didn't really do anything wrong; I got a puncture so replaced the tube.  Unfortunately the brand new spare that I was carrying had a knackered valve and wouldn't take any air.  Fair enough, so I fixed the puncture in the old tube, put that back on and inflated it - unfortunately, when I unscrewed the pump the valve core came with it...

My multi-tool seems to have everything apart from pliers, which is not entirely surprising - but did mean I had no-way of tightening the valve core enough that it would stay in when I unscrewed the pump.

 

I normally carry the following:

- Spare tube

- Tyre boot + a set of those lezyne puncture repair stickers

- Mini-pump (of the screw on kind)

- A tenner

 

While this has sufficed for the last 4 years, it didn't do the trick today.  So onto the questions:

- Can anyone recommend some decent Butyl inner tubes without removeable cores? I clearly never remember to superglue the ****** things, so I need to ensure that issue doesn't recur.  I don't like the idea of sealant particularly so I've never used it - though I suspect I may have to change my view on this now.  I'd been punture free for the last 10000km, have now had 5 this summer.

- I don't take my wallet with me for waterproofing reasons and pocket space reasons - has anyone seen a waterproof phone case (for a large handset, LG G4) with extra space for credit cards/cash?

- Can anyone recommend a mini-pump with a flexible tube from pump to valve, that isn't a screw on one?

- Is a service like Uber any use for a taxi from god-knows-where in Surrey back into London?  This might be the catalyst for me to actually sign up to it.

 

Any other suggestions?  

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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35 comments

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Lincolndave | 8 years ago
0 likes

As well as 2 tube, pump, cash, tyre levers,a few different size traps,mini tool ,  I also carry one of these just in case the chain breaks http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-10-speed-chain-links/

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Awavey | 8 years ago
0 likes

if Im expecting rain, phone goes in a sealable plastic bag and then in jersey pocket, they come in loads of sizes so you can add money to it as well if neccessary, but I usually carry money in my saddle bag instead as its got a neat little netting holder on the inside that you can store batteries,keys etc as well in...just dont forget youve put the money in there 1

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ktache | 8 years ago
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For those longer more out of the way rides has to be 2 spare tubes, never needed them but you never know.  My topeak master blaster MX has lasted me over 15 years, but as I'm running different pressures on and off road I take my Lezyne mini floor HV for me, which I see on CRC has a speed chuck thingy, even without the speed chuck the normal flip screw chuck has an air bleed which makes removal easier and is meant to prevent unintended core removal.  The HP is well cheap on CRC at the mo.  I cannot travel light.

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Grahamd | 8 years ago
0 likes

Have been there myself, torn tyre beyond the tyre boot capabilities, sometime $h1t happens. 

  1. Download apple pay equivalent on to your mobile. 
  2. Consider using a hybrid pump, I carry a Topeak one. https://www.athleteshop.co.uk/topeak-hybridrocket-rx?gclid=CNfFrbPXzs8CF...
Avatar
paulrattew | 8 years ago
2 likes

I'm a big advocate of tubeless tyres, having been using them since 2010 with no issues (only once had a 'puncture' the sealant couldn't deal with, and that was actually a large cut that a spare tube wouldn't have fixed). The quality of tubeless tyres is now excellent and with far more manufacturers making tubeless ready wheelsets, it is easier than ever to go tubeless.

 

Not everyone is a fan of tubeless though, so:

1. Carry 2 spare tubes rather than just the one. Even though I run tubeless tyres I still carry 2 spare tubes in my saddle bag (which makes me very popular on group rides), along with tyre levers and a multi tool. Keeping all these in a saddle bag means that your pockets are kept free

2. In one of my pockets I will carry my phone, debit/credit card, house keys and some cash. I have a Rapha Essentials case which fits all of this nicely, looks nice at cafe stops, and protects everything from impacts well enough but it's not waterproof (the sides are leather so are essentially water proof, but there is not proofing around the zip). If you need water proofing, then just use a freezer / ziplock bag. 

3. Pump wise, I carry a Lezyne Road Drive Mini ABS Pump, which I think is brilliant. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-road-drive-mini-abs-pump/. It has a flexible cable so you don't destroy the valve trying to pump. 

4. In terms of getting back to London, when I have had issues before I have got a taxi to the nearest train station and just caught the train back. Much cheaper than having to get a taxi all the way back (I live in King's Cross). I'm not a fan of uber, but they certainly have their place

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