How to carry a tire?

[shadon]

So I'm riding the smallest bike in the world (well, probably not really, but at 45cm, it's small!), and with 650 cm tires others have suggested it would be a good idea to carry a tire with me, since they are sometimes hard to come by. But how?
It's to big to fit under my seat...I can't figure this one out.

help?

[Trek420]

Are you sure they don't mean spare tire tube? You should always carry a spare tube...or two. You're not likely to need to replace the tire but the tube...yeah.

I keep mine in the under seat bag. If you use a camelback some have room for extra gear.

Just a note to the TE ALC gals while I'm thinking of it and I may have said this earlier but Shadon on the ride I reccomend you carry 2 extra spokes. The mechanics can fix most anything but they might not have those especially if you have fancy schmancy wheels. Some riders tape the spokes inside the seat tube, I thought the rattle would irritate me so just kept them in my luggage.

[BikeMomma]

If they DO mean a spare tire, most tire manufacturers make tires that come folded, and they are usually pretty compact. Depending on the seat, sometimes you can tuck it right under your seat or next to/under your seat bag and then strap it to the rails with an old toe strap or plastic zip-tie (lots of sizes available at hardware stores; if you use one, make sure you carry something to cut it off with when you need the tire). He's right -- if your tire size isn't available everywhere, you can't rely on any ol' shop to have them or even to bum one off one of the riders in your group. You should prepare yourself. A blowout can happen any time. Definitely see if you can track down a folded tire in this size.

Edit: Just a quick search of Performance turned these up...
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=6323&subcategory_ID=5420
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16519&subcategory_ID=5420
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15948&subcategory_ID=5420
I did a search at biketiresdirect.com for that size. Make sure you see "folding" in the product description before ordering. Here's the results page:
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/search_results.asp?cat=ti&skw1=perfwet&rimsize=571&tirewidth=23&skw3=clincher&skw4=

Hope this helps!
-BikeMomma:D

[shadon]

He's right -- if your tire size isn't available everywhere, you can't rely on any ol' shop to have them or even to bum one off one of the riders in your group. You should prepare yourself. A blowout can happen any time. Definitely see if you can track down a folded tire in this size.

Hope this helps!
-BikeMomma:D

That's it exactly, BikeMomma, 650 c tires aren't available everywhere. Bought one tire at the LBS where I bought the bike, but even folded it's awfully big. I'll look further for one that is maybe folded a little smaller.

Really with the size of my bike there isn't much room under the seat...I guess I'll come up with a creative solution of some sort! Thanks for the links to performance! I'll take a walk over there tommorow, if this rain stops!

[BikeMomma]

Can you get it between the rails and the underside of the saddle? Maybe you could wedge it in there and then strap down from there. I dunno...never really tried it on mine. I ride a 56cm frame and I have spider-long legs, so I have some room to play with for storage -- I don't envy your predicament.:(

[Eden]

Personally I don't carry a tire, just a tube and I think its fairly rare to do fatal damage to a tire thats in good shape (especially for us relatively small light people - I ride a 44cm :D but I still have 700's), but it can happen. My husband did it just last week. He blew out a sidwall after he ran over a twig or something - it was a fairly worn tire and he gouged it. He patched it up with a powerbar wrapper until he could get to a shop that was fortunately pretty close- a dollar bill can work pretty good too.
If you've got a local shop that specializes in triathalon gear they will likely stock 650's since a lot of tri-bikes, even bigger ones use them.
Just an FYI, it might be worth it to put the tire on once at home before you need it. Depending on the tire putting a brand new one on in the field could be a bit difficult. I just put a new tire on (at home) It was a folding one, a Vittoria in fact and they do fold up fairly small, but the fit was so tight that it took both my husband and myself (him pushing and me pulling) to get the thing over the rim. I'm hoping that if I ever get a flat with this particular tire that having it on for a while will have stretched the bead a bit and it will be easier to get back on.

[Trek420]

Howdy Eden thanks for the tip and welcome to TE. Whenever you feel up to it check out the "getting to know you" thread, you'll meet all of us and when you're up to it you can post about yourself too.

OK, you've got my curiosity. I ride a 47 cm with full size wheels and consider it a feat of Italian design and engineering so we're dying to know about this 44cm you ride. :cool:

[DeniseGoldberg]

I sometimes carry a spare tire when I'm touring (on a multi-day trip away from home) on my little-wheeled Bike Friday because it's unlikely that I will be able to find a suitable replacement on the road. It really depends on where I am touring and how long I am willing to wait for a new tire (via overnight delivery from a shop that carries decent 406mm tires) if the unthinkable happens and I can't ride at all on my existing tires.

I only carry tubes when I'm out on day rides. I figure I can always use a dollar bill to boot a tire, and I always carry some cash with me.

A work colleague of mine does carry a folding tire with him. He rides very skinny tires and is more comfortable with an extra tire in addition to his tubes and patch kit. He uses a folding tire and stashes it in his CamelBak.

--- Denise

[ladyjai]

I also carry 3 boots when I ride aside from tubes. that allows me to make a quick fix patch until I can get home to be able to change out the tire. they weigh less and are not as bulky. If all you are doing is shorter rides, I think carrying an extra tire is one of those overkill things. I have rescue vehicles I can call, and like it or not, the city bus goes pretty far in my parts. now, anything that takes me out of the Phoenix Valley Metro city complex would call for such extra preparation I imagine. Multi-day for sure.

how long are the rides you usually do, Shadon?

[slinkedog]

Well, I suppose you could wrap the spare tire around you waist a couple of times. I already have a spare tire around my waist, so I'm covered!! :p

[newfsmith]

Since I am too uncorordinated to drink from a water bottle while I ride I must use a hydration bladder of some kind. This leaves my water bottle cage empty and I have been able to fit my folded tire into that. I also use a large under seat bag with only a Topeak alien and patch kit in it, so I have been able to fit it in there also. Of course I then have to carry my spare tubes in my pockets or handlebar bag. Yes, with 650 wheels, even on a supported ride I like to carry a spare tire.

[Trek420]

slinkedog "Well, I suppose you could wrap the spare tire around you waist a couple of times."

I'm thinking bandito style over the shoulders :) ;)

[DirtDiva]

Or bandana style a la Rambo. :D

[Dogmama]

Or strap it to your back and write "Jeep" on your jersey.

[Eden]

I'm thinking bandito style over the shoulders :) ;)

Like these guys?;)

[shadon]

I see I have plenty of options! :) I think that there might be a tire out there that folds smaller than what I bought, so I'll keep looking. And heck, with all this rain, this is not gonna be a problem till after the first of the year.

[RoadRaven]

My partner carries a spare tyre on his training bike only (his TT and RR bikes have spare tubes only)

He has it folded and then wraps velcro round seat post and it sits underneath his seat bag.

[Bike Goddess]

Shadon- I would say the generally speaking you shouldn't need to carry a tire with you. Extra tube yes and learn how to do makeshift repairs should you need to if you have a tire problem. Most of the time tires blow because they are already running on empty so to speak. Always look at your tread and for sure check your pressure before you leave home. I generally run about 110-120 lbs in my tires and seldom have flats and have never had a blowout. If you think you have gone through some bad areas where there is glass, etc. it is wise to check your tires right away- get off the bike and spin each wheel and with your gloves on check. This is especially important if you are about to go downhill.

Since I know you are going to do the AIDS ride, one more piece of advice.....Before you do any really long rides and BEFORE you go on the AIDS ride, be sure that you have someone go through your bike (LBS where you got your bike)and check everything- brakes, derailleur, chain, tires, wheels (are they aligned)etc. That way when you start a ride you know you have done everything you could to make sure you would be safe on the road. I can't tell you how many folks on last year's AIDS ride didn't do this. They ended up having all kinds of mechanical problems that could have been avoided. Yes they have mechanics, but better to use their services for minor adjustments and emergency repairs that couldn't have been avoided!

As you ride more, you will learn how to adjust things like cables as you go along. But some things just need a mechanic who has trained eyes and ears to discern what might later become a BIG problem for you on the road!