small puncture repair kit - what/how do you carry one?

pistolpete205

Good Evening All,

I am fairly new to the world of racing bikes. I've been riding for nearly 2 years on a hybrid but have just upgraded to a new Giant racer. It is a lovely bike and had re-affirmed my love of riding...however...i used to carry around a puncture repair kit and spare inner tube in one of those under seat pouches. My new bike is pretty cool looking and i don't want to spoil the looks by fitting a bulky and franky, naff looking pouch.
To combat this i decided to fit some Schwalbe Blizzard tyres which seem to have good levels of puncture protection but i still worry about getting a flat 20 miles from home.

What do people carry? and how?, in the cold i'd just put it in my pocket but in the summer? Can anyone reccommend a stylish under seat pouch or a better idea of what to do. I know this is really vanity but i love the new bike and wanted to keep it looking smart and racey looking!. Like i say, i'm kinda new to all this and would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks in advance, Pete.

feel

inner tube, tyre levers and mobile phone for the 2nd p*ncture (not happened yet)

seat bags needn't be big LINK

pistolpete205

Thanks, that's what i thought. Cheers for the link too. As for a pump do you just use one of the strap on types that attach to the frame?

Cheers,

a_n_t

feel wrote:

seat bags needn't be big LINK

thats what i use, fits a multi-tool, tye levers and a spare tube quite easily.

feel

pistolpete205 wrote:

Thanks, that's what i thought. Cheers for the link too. As for a pump do you just use one of the strap on types that attach to the frame?

Cheers,

i use a mini pump that fastens on the same bolts as my water bottle, but just to the side.

pistolpete205

Ant and Feel,

Thanks for the thoughts. This will be pretty much the same set up as i used on my hybrid bike (only hopefully smaller!). I wasn't sure if you could get smaller kits but i guess a road tube is smaller than a hybrid tube so a smaller pack will be fine (and no i know where to get one!). Maybe i'll invest in a cooler looking and smaller pump. I appreciate the help though.
Thanks again, Pete.

stevejmo7

I cut the bottom off plastic bottles such Ribena and another that is slightly wider such that one fits just inside the other with a bit of suction when they are pulled apart. In the lower one I carry a multi tool, inner tube, 2 x tyre levers, two cable ties, spare power link, and cloth, whilst in the other outer one I put the phone and a second inner tube. When I slide the outer over the narrower one the contents push against each other and prevent rattling etc. They find they fit easily in the rear bottle holder.

pistolpete205

Nice idea Stevejmo,

seems like an innovative solution. i'll have a ride out tomorrow and see what the shops have in. Maybe i'll go down your customisation route if they don't stock little seat bags.
Thanks very much for the idea.

Pete.

tonyw43

Topeak Micro Wedge, similar to the Specialized.

Contains:
Inner Tube
Tyre Levers
Patches
Glue
Co2 Pump, and spare cannister.
Topeak Mini 18 Multi Tool
Spare change just in case.

Phone goes in one of the jersey pockets, along with SIS bars and gels.

pistolpete205

Cheers Tony,

List made, tomorrow i hit the shops! Thanks for the list, how do you find the cannisters? easier to use than a traditional pump or do you just prefer the size?

Thanks,

feel

You will need a track pump which you keep at home to get the necessary pressure 80 -110 psi in your tyres. The pump/CO2 cylinder you carry is really just for get you home emergencies. Some folk on here have had issues with tyres staying inflated when they have used CO2, but as i said it's really just to get you home whatever you choose.

See http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12562396 there is also a plastic joe blow that is a bit cheaper, just slightly less robust - both very good.

oldwelshman

Dont care how good you bike looks, you will look stupid twaddling home with it if you cant fix it
I carry an under saddle bag, on my winter bike, and I have spare bracket on my summer bike also so it goes on there in the summer.
In it I have tyre levers, two spare tubes ( in plastic bag because they rub and you dont want to take it out and find its already broke!) multi tool, tyre boot and chain tool, and rubber gloves.
I was on club run last week and was amazed that I was only one with chain tool. One of the guys broke his chain and I had to fix it!! Then heard another had to call his missus week earlier !!

fluff.

Sticky patches, like Park Tools ones, for the 2nd and 3rd punctures.

Panter

Can you not just carry the bits in your jersey pockets or are there safety issues if you come off?

I use a top peak saddle bag because my bike isn't remotely cool but, if it was, I'd be able to carry a spare tube, small puncture kit, multi tool, chain link, wallet, keys and mobile in my jersey pockets without difficulty.

I'm pretty sure I could poke my pump in there too although I don't think I'd want to land on that in the event of an "off" :shock:

Cheers

Chris

DavidTQ

I use the drink bottle that came with my giant road bike, Its got my 3 trusty tyre levers, a spare tube, a CO2 inflator, a spare CO2 cartridge, a puncture repair kit and a spare set of batteries for my front light. the innertube helps stop anything rattling along in there although its pretty jam packed

Its rare though that I ride without my panniers attached, where I carry spare lights, a second spare tube and a mini pump as well.

Paul12371

Hi all, I am new here and have just got back into the saddle after a 15 year break and went looking for cheap kit and found a small under seat pouch like the specialized one in Decathlon for £3.95 and I have managed to fit a spare tube, CO2 cylinder, puncture repair kit, tyre levers, multi tool and my clip on rear light during daylight hours.

feel

Paul12371 wrote:

Hi all, I am new here and have just got back into the saddle after a 15 year break and went looking for cheap kit and found a small under seat pouch like the specialized one in Decathlon for £3.95 and I have managed to fit a spare tube, CO2 cylinder, puncture repair kit, tyre levers, multi tool and my clip on rear light during daylight hours.

Welcome Paul Cheap can be very good, if you live near an aldi or lidl it is worth checking them out, every so often they have cycling specials.

thetrotter

You could always try one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=16400

Mine takes tyre levers, two tubes, chain tool, spare joining link, couple of light latex gloves (no comments please!) to stop hands getting grubby, with room to spare.

Paul12371

Thank You feel, I did in fact go to lidls last week and got a pair of shorts a pair of tights and a s/s jersy for less than £15. But if there is a decathlon store near you try it out their stuff does have a quality feel for budget gear.

tonyw43

Pete, the Co2 is great for the get you home fix, rather than carry a full size pump. At home I have a track pump for regular use, just find the Co2 easier in the road.

fossyant

Back pockets for me - but I'm not doing big rides - 100 miles, just 50 or so.

Never had a chain break ever..... although on the commuter I carry lots of tools in the rucksack....

meagain

Topeak ones with clips useful - buy a spare clip thing and quick to swop between bikes!

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=10855

hodsgod

I have a Selle Roayal seat which has a purpose designed "accesory" clip, I have a very nice saddle bad which clips very easily under the saddle.

Turnbull2000

No repair kit for me.

I carry two tubes and a compact multitool in the saddle bag, with a Blackburn carbon mini-pump attached to the bottle cage. Mobile, a fiver and energy supplies go in jersey pockets, with a dog tag around my neck for ID.