Pump and CO2 cartridge, need advice

[pll]

I always carry a spare tube, a patch kit, a pump and a cartridge.

Some days ago, cycling on a rental bike and without any cartridges, I had 3 flat tires in one day (bad rim tape). No only did I use 2 spare tubes, but I had to patch one!

[makbike]

I always carry a couple of spare tubes, a couple CO2 cartridges, a pump and a patch kit. I was advised when I started riding to carry more then one tube and/or cartridge and this advice has paid off in the past. A patch kit and pump won't do you much good if the valve stem breaks. I would rather carry a few extra things then to find myself stranded far from home.

[withm]

yep - 2 tubes, patch kit, pump, and co2 w/ 2 cartridges. You never know when a valve will fail on a new tube - it happens. Also you may want to help out someone else that is otherwise stranded, and don't want to leave yourself short should you get a flat later on. I always replace the tube on the road, but bring the old one home to patch later. Or not. Tubes are just a few bucks, and my time is worth a lot more /hour than the price of a tube.

[Mr. Bloom]

I also carry two tubes and at least 4 canisters...because I'm often riding rural, alone, and with no one to call.

I don't carry a pump, because I don't really have anywhere to put one because of the frame size on my bike.

I haven't gotten a patch kit yet...I hear that they have a shelf life and unless you rotate them out periodically, they may not be useful when you need them either.

[pll]

The pump I carry attaches behind the water bottle cage. And the kit I used to patch the third flat I had bought in 2003! I did wonder about shelf life when I opened it, but it worked...

I also carry two tubes and at least 4 canisters...because I'm often riding rural, alone, and with no one to call.

I don't carry a pump, because I don't really have anywhere to put one because of the frame size on my bike.

I haven't gotten a patch kit yet...I hear that they have a shelf life and unless you rotate them out periodically, they may not be useful when you need them either.

[OakLeaf]

Always carry a pump and a patch kit. That's your backup if everything else fails.

If you're doing group rides, carry CO2 and a spare tube. It's not fair to hold up the rest of the group while you're taking 15-20 minutes to do a 5 minute job.

If you're on your own, it's your call.

[melissam]

Sindyeli,

Welcome to TE and to the wonderful world of road riding! I'm pretty much with everyone else: I carry a tube, a patch kit (periodically check that the tube of glue hasn't dried out), and a pump.

Whatever you use (CO2 or frame pump), make sure that you can use it to get your tire up to the appropriate PSI. Ideally you'd perform this experiment in the comfort of your own home rather than find out that it doesn't work when you're on the road. I had a lovely little Crank Brothers Pump that I borrowed from my Mtn. Bike. Unfortunately, when I was on the road, I discovered that I had neither the time or energy to get my tires up to 120 psi. I now have a lovely Road Morph pump that has served me quite well.

Mr. Silver,

I ride very, very small frames (a 47 cm Trek and a 40 cm Merlin), and I had a heck of a time figuring out where to mount my Road Morph. Ebay came to the rescue! I bought a Blackburn frame pump holder that attaches behind the water bottle cage. The pump is on the side of the down tube, and I can use two water bottle cages! The Blackburn pump holder is designed to hold a pump with a larger diameter than the Road Morph, but I was able to use a bit of padding and strips of an old inner tube to make it work.

- Melissa