I haven’t been a flat tire virgin for a LONG time, but this weekend really takes the prize!. Saturday I flatted on my mountain bike. It was no big deal. It happens. I don’t patch, I carry a spare tube. I replaced the tube, pumped it up and was back on the trail in just a few minutes.

But Sunday was the bummer! I flatted three times on my road bike! Three times! Three flats on one ride really takes the “fun” out of the sport! One flat was the front tire and two were the back! For the first one, I was really close to my car, so I changed the tube, pumped it up a little with my hand pump, then rode back to the car where my floor pump was. But the second two flats were out on the road. I did my best with my hand pump. Whew.

How many of you use the CO2 inflators. I’m a little leery of using those things. What happens if you don’t have the valve seated correctly and you inflate? Then you burn through your cartridge and your tire is still flat. I’ve considered getting one that also works as a hand pump (as a backup). Any input on these? Are there any types that you have found are great? Any that I should avoid?