Carry spare inner tube in a TT?

Old Tuggo
Old Tuggo Posts: 482
edited March 2008 in Workshop
I have just replaced my road frame which I used for TT's with a Specialised Transition. On my road frame I carried a frame pump and spare tube with levers but I cannot carry a pump on my new TT frame. What is the general feeling - chance it and carry nothing or possibly strap a mini pump and tube under saddle?

Comments

  • inseine
    inseine Posts: 5,788
    If you want to be aero don't carry a frame mounted pump. As to whaether you carry one at all, only you know if you mind the walk back to the headquarters.
    I used to carry a foam aerosol when I rode tubs. Only used it once but it got me home. I strapped it under the saddle.
    http://cyclinganddesign.blogspot.fr/
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    What's the point? To stop and fix a puncture in a 10 or 25 would probably ruin your time anyway.
    I like bikes...

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  • Gavin Gilbert
    Gavin Gilbert Posts: 4,019
    redddraggon wrote:
    What's the point? To stop and fix a puncture in a 10 or 25 would probably ruin your time anyway.

    True, but no point risking ruining a rim either. I TT on sprints and carry a spare tub, tape and CO2 bulb in a bottle mounted in a cage attached to the saddle.
  • andrewgturnbull
    andrewgturnbull Posts: 3,861
    redddraggon wrote:
    What's the point? To stop and fix a puncture in a 10 or 25 would probably ruin your time anyway.

    Hi there.

    Believe it or not, I've punctured in my last two TTs... At the Tour de Trossachs last October I had to hitchhike back to the strip. At the Kingdom Mountain TT last week I did the c02 thing, and still managed to finish mid-table. Still ruined the race though...

    Cheers, Andy
    http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
    http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    inseine wrote:
    If you want to be aero don't carry a frame mounted pump. As to whaether you carry one at all, only you know if you mind the walk back to the headquarters.
    I used to carry a foam aerosol when I rode tubs. Only used it once but it got me home. I strapped it under the saddle.

    I agree. Not carrying a spare tube and air of some sort could result in a very long walk home or back to the start - finish. Sure changing a tube puts you out of the race but it beats walking. As for aero & weight considerations, well, they are not worth considering.
    You are the worst aero & weight problem in the equation, not some skinny little pump.

    Dennis Noward
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    For racing I carry a Vittoria Pit-Stop sealant and inflator - it's a little aerosol that you can carry in your pocket or tape to the seatpost. I also put Tufo sealant in my tubs for racing and I've only had one puncture since, which sealed up and enabled me to finish the ride without changing the tyre. If you puncture in most races (except a criterium) it's almost certainly over anyway, it's just about getting back to the start/HQ/car safely without damaging anything.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • MegaCycle
    MegaCycle Posts: 236
    what's wrong with carrying both pump and tube in your jersey as usual?
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    redddraggon wrote:
    What's the point? To stop and fix a puncture in a 10 or 25 would probably ruin your time anyway.

    I wasn't considering cycling back to the start or where ever, I was just thinking about the race.
    I like bikes...

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  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    Because you're not wearing a jersey.
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    It might be a long walk back to the car, even in a 10, so I'd always carry a tube, levers and some sort of inflator, pump or CO2
    MegaCycle wrote:
    what's wrong with carrying both pump and tube in your jersey as usual?

    I don't fancy having a metal cylinder in a pocket next to my kidneys, so that always gets put on the bike. but sure a tube can go in a pocket assuming not wearing a pocketless skinsuit, or trisuit for tri's/du's - it then it just gets taped to the saddle rails.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    redddraggon wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    What's the point? To stop and fix a puncture in a 10 or 25 would probably ruin your time anyway.

    I wasn't considering cycling back to the start or where ever, I was just thinking about the race.

    You are out of contention anyway unless you have established a good time, so best to carry the things suggested here and accept if you puncture, it's about getting home not seeing your name in lights. And really, you should be on tubulars anyway
    M.Rushton
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    mrushton wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    What's the point? To stop and fix a puncture in a 10 or 25 would probably ruin your time anyway.

    I wasn't considering cycling back to the start or where ever, I was just thinking about the race.

    You are out of contention anyway unless you have established a good time, so best to carry the things suggested here and accept if you puncture, it's about getting home not seeing your name in lights. And really, you should be on tubulars anyway

    Tubies, yes . What you said.

    dennis noward
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    dennisn wrote:
    Tubies, yes . What you said.

    dennis noward

    What have teletubies got to do with carrying a pump?
    I like bikes...

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  • the_wooden_man
    the_wooden_man Posts: 58
    Just make lots of friends at your local TTs so that if you puncture there'll be someone to cadge a lift or a spare tub from! Or convince the missus to support you around the course... :wink:
  • sub55
    sub55 Posts: 1,025
    you can tell that most of the people on here ,are`nt serious testers.
    where to put your spare tube/tub and co2 cartridge ?
    do what most of us do !
    tape them into the inside of the fin of your aero helmet :idea: it`s quite easy when you know how.
    constantly reavalueating the situation and altering the perceived parameters accordingly
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    I used to strap an old spare tub (lightweight one) and small mini pump to my seat rails - more about the long walk back to HQ - you puncture and are out effectively, but a long walk isn't recommended - and you wouldn't risk damaging expensive wheels..... these days maybe carry a tube of the foam stuff - puncture a tub and it's effectively knackered anyway....
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    One of my clubmates punctured in a 25 and rode the last three miles on a flat tub. Wrecked his carbon disk wheel.

    Personally - I'd always take spares to get me back to the start. I'm no pro and the extra weight/aerodynamics just arent worth thinking about.

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