If you run tubeless, the second tube you carry is the spare, the first one is just your tube [/pedant].
Yep, I’m sharpening up the tyre plug insertion tool for some combat action as we speak…. 🙂
You don't need one of those, just use your teeth.
I think you've made a good set of choices @petercook88.
I'm all over lezyne's Tubeless blaster
Shame it doesn't inflate through a valve too.
Try a lezyne
If nothing else, for that satisfying moment when you've pumped up your tyre and then unscrew the valve core as you take the pump off...
Well then your valve core wasn't tight.
If nothing else, for that satisfying moment when you’ve pumped up your tyre and then unscrew the valve core as you take the pump off…
This.
Well then your valve core wasn’t tight.
Tight enough to hold air is tight enough. Designing and selling a tool that is known to cause this problem is unacceptable.
All this talk of tubeless, the hassle of the last two times pretty much put me off for life. Bracing myself, have been for weeks, of having another go, as apparently will transform our riding experience.
Strangely after years of a few punctures a year, I reckon we are down to one or two (between the three of us) a year in last three, four years - I’ve assumed it’s the tubeless tyres that have got better at not puncturing?
Trail riding, odd gravity enduro and lots of single track.
I don't puncture too regularly, but it does happen, and I carry tubes and patches, and a small pump (currently running tubes in both bikes).
Even with this kit, I've managed to have to walk home a couple of times in the past 2-3 years, and even if it's not a major problem on local rides it's still frustrating and can push the total ride duration over the familial acceptance threshold (major problem as most people with small children will recognise).
I wonder whether there's a division here between riders with packs and riders without. I started riding just before everyone started ditching their packs. At the time, every MTBer I knew had a pack. I didn't because riding packs aren't cheap, and having just started with MTB I had a long list of things to buy that I couldn't afford 😉 so I was basically doing what most people do now: gear on the bike and on me in pockets.
And to be honest, it was rubbish. Everything strapped to the bike (in a saddlebag) got wet and muddy most rides, and so usually needed taking out and cleaning/drying, and then repacking. Everything in my pockets needed taking out so I could wash my gear, and putting somewhere safe so I would not forget it next time. Going on a ride involved a fairly lengthy faff of ensuring all the tools, food, water, phone, money, keys, etc, etc, were firmly attached to the bike or me in the right place and that I'd not forgotten anything.
These days, my gear lives in my pack. It rarely gets wet or muddy, and it's always ready to go. And because I'm carrying the pack anyway, I have space for optional extras like a small first aid kit, space blanket, buff, etc. Most of this stuff gets used now and then, even on shorter local rides.
I'd even find space for another tube (or two) if I wanted.
Anyway, bit of a circuitous ramble. TLDR: I carry a tube because even a relatively small risk of a walk home isn't worth the minor inconvenience of bringing the tube. The inconvenience is minor because I carry a cumbersome backpack with space for All The Things.
I take a fair bit on most rides in the backpack. A lot of it is clothes and food as I ride with the club straight from work - so I need a range of clothes (west of scotland plus riding in the evening can be much warmer or cooler than the morning), a few spares, tools, and food (riding from work usually leaves me pretty hungry.)
@tomparkin - fair enough. I sort of switch between using a pack and not.
Generally depends on the season: up here in the grim north (well Yorkshire so it's definitely grim) I'll use a pack in winter because winter jacket, etc. are bulkier and you tend to have more "stuff". Summer time, unless it's particularly horrible I'll have a lightweight waterproof in my jersey pocket, that's it. Clothing additions for spring and autumn are arm warmers and a buff, if I'm not wearing them they'll be in another jersey pocket.
The kit in the photo I posted earlier all goes in a ziplock plastic bag so doesn't get wet and muddy and it's just a case of putting said bag on whichever bike I'm using. All that plus tube, FAK and phone will go in one of these: https://www.alpkit.com/products/fuel-pod
I'm a total convert Tubeless and tyreplugs. I've repaired some pretty large holes using multiple large motorbike plugs. Not yet needed a tube since making the switch, but still always carry a tube just in case.
Lately Ive been trying to carry as little as possible on my person, so tube, spares, tools and CO2 all go on the bike, either in a Blackburn Outpost corner bag, or a combination of waterbottle tool caddy and Dakine Hot Laps Gripper bag, depending on which bike I'm riding.
I carry tube/co2/missing link/multi tool and other basics in my fanny pack. Carry CamelBak for longer 2hr+ rides. But hate it a lot being on my shoulders
It's a shame saddle bags don't work with droppers...
The Lezyne unscrewing the valve does my head in. Happened twice when I borrowed one. Pumped it up so well and then a massive whoosh of disappointment. One guy I ride with tried it five times and took the core out every time, refused use of another pump too and pushed out. Ended up buying an adaptor for it which (to me) defies the point of having that pump.
I always carry two tubes, one of them is bound to be the one I left in my bag from the last puncture so the other has a decent chance of being good! Actually need to check as I gave away my last good one to a pair of lads who weren't carrying one between them so may just be a ruined tube I'm carrying around now.
tube strapped to frame. have not had to use one in as long as i can remember! years and years. not gonna ditch it now tho! be like changing lottery numbers
Hi, I run tubeless (MTB) and have recently decided to cut down on gear taken on rides and ditch the backpack for most rides. Having already decided to not carry a pump for the majority of my riding (exception being long day rides away from much civilisation) and carrying 4 20g co2 instead (on the bike) I was wondering about not bothering with a spare Tube and carrying a Tubeless repair tool such as a Dynaplug.
I appreciate there will be opinions on this and I am fully aware of the pros and cons so really just wanted to hear from other riders that are doing the same and if they have always managed to sort out a puncture. Given the seeming ease of use and reliability of a Dynaplug tool and a well maintained tyre sealant setup I just wonder if an innertube and levers would ever be used anymore…
As the instigator of the original post its interesting that I only got a few responses from people who actually do what I was considering - those that did I am grateful. Others that offered constructive advice and links to other sources again I am grateful.
Those naysayers who rapidly moved it off onto a slightly pointless 'Why would you do this or that' , 'I always carry the kitchen sink' , 'I hope I dont meet you and you try to beg something of me' etc. I best not say anything - thats forums for you.
It seems carefully phrasing a question doesn't necessarily help 🙂
It seems carefully phrasing a question doesn’t necessarily help 🙂
You must, as they say, be new here... 🙂
must be getting on for 6-7 years with no punctures here. I still carry pump, patches, repair kit, co2 and a tube. And they get used too, although not by me!
You must, as they say, be new here… 🙂
I haven't done much in the forum, but from your comment my spidey sense tells me thats the norm then....
To answer your original question then.. 😉
I run tubeless and don't carry an emergency tube for the majority of my riding as there isn't a huge amount of sharp rocky stuff where I am. Don't like CO2 carts so have a decent mini pump tucked in a frame bag along with a tubeless patch and plug kit - not had to use either yet. Hate wearing a pack, hence keeping stuff to a minimum for local sub-3hr rides.
I best not say anything – thats forums for you.
You missed an apostrophe there. You'd better not go asking me for apostrophes or other punctuation out on the trail. So sick of people who've left home without a full stop then expect someone else to terminate their sentences for them. Ridiculous.
You missed an apostrophe there..............
I can risk not taking a few apostrophes , but I usually have a few spare full stops in the waist bag. They are small and light but the only problem is what font to take! so I usually take a selection.
To answer your original question then.. 😉
I run tubeless and don’t carry an emergency tube for the majority of my riding.......
Yeah an answer. (thank you) - that pretty much covers my feelings except I quite like Co2.
Usually carry a tube with pump or CO2 for mtb (I don't have tubeless on my 26er mtb) but I always carry a pack of leeches. I know they aren't the best puncture repair out there but for a very quick fix which will definitely last out an hour or so they are brilliant. 😃
Since proper tubeless rims (where the tyre doesn't fall off of the rim when completely flat) and since tubeless repair plugs iv never needed a tube....despite having multiple massive holes in tyres iv always managed to get them plugged and ride away. That said I do still carry a tube maybe 10% of the time...on really remote rides when an unfixable flat would be a major ball ache or potentially dangerous. Also I dont use C02...prefer a pump
I carry a tube but if you wanted to save weight /space then something like a tubolito lightweight tube could be a good halfway point.
Its so long since I have had a puncture that I rarely bother with a tube if I am going to be not far away from home
Tubeless and carry minimum , never ride much more than 2 - 3hrs and always carry phone for total t#ts up emergency:
Race Inc micro pump
Dynaplug Race
All in one Multitool V2 (now I’ve cured the annoying click it made)
Couple of speed links which clip in the V2 With a magnet
Muthaload strap for rain jacket under seat
All stays on bike so no excuse
If I'm staying within ~5 miles of home I won't bother with spare tube, sometimes no pump or puncture kit either.
Thanks for the additional responses from people doing the same sort of thing, much appreciated.
Reading a lot of the responses I have come to the conclusion that perhaps some of this is just adjusting to doing tubeless properly and not just thinking of slinging an inner tube at it straight away. Tubeless is different and has different methods of fixing punctures and perhaps these need to be embraced if you decide to go the tubeless route.
I usually ride local trails so dont bother with a tube. However if I am going out for a longer ride where I could end up 10 miles from home I strap a tube to the frame with CO2 + Lifeline inflater and tubes using a frame strap.
I carry a tube but if you wanted to save weight /space then something like a tubolito lightweight tube could be a good halfway point.
I carry half a tube to save weight. Have never needed it yet, but I find it reassuring.
Seriously though, this isn't that difficult. If you're close enough to walk home even if the worst happens then you can carry the bare minimum with minimal consequences.
If you're somewhere that an unrepairable flat is going to result in massive hassle / danger / a very long walk / begging of spares from strangers / a proper rant from your missus / bloke etc, then given the relatively modest weight and bulk of a spare tube and a tyre boot, then it makes some logical sense to carry one along with a pump.
If you're a 'living on the edge' sort who doesn't mind long walks pushing a bike if the worst happens and is prepared to wager that the possibility of this is relatively small, then go minimal, but bear in mind that everything will be fine until it isn't.
Really, this is a question about risk taking and if you were a proper risk taker, you wouldn't care whether anyone else had got away with it because you'd be supremely confident that you'd be okay. Anyone who's really cavalier with punctuation however...
there’s always the old bodge of filling the wheel with grass.
@thisisnotaspoon how much grass does it take to fill a fatbike tyre? I presume a lot! Wouldn't want to have to be the one to find out.
I always carry a tube and a pump, plus a couple of stick on patches just in case. I just use a frame bag. Keeps stuff in one place and can be transferred to another bike if needed.
No, always carry a tube, small pump, tool, levers, chainlink and anchiove kit as a single bundle either in a jersey pocket or in a pack.
It's not much weight or bulk and I usually don't have much slack time to play with, e.g. rides before school pick up etc. So seems an unnecessary risk to go without.