catching a flat on race day

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2009-03-13 2:24 PM

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Expert
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West Palm Beach, FL
Subject: catching a flat on race day
Got an oli on Sunday, just my third tri and first on a road bike.  I'm fully intending to keep my wedge bag and frame pump on the bike 'cause I wouldn't want to DNF because of a flat.  Is this typical, or is the chance of catching a flat so remote that I can safely do without?  Thoughts?

2009-03-13 2:27 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Elite
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Gilbert, Az.
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

Spleen - 2009-03-13 12:24 PM Got an oli on Sunday, just my third tri and first on a road bike. I'm fully intending to keep my wedge bag and frame pump on the bike 'cause I wouldn't want to DNF because of a flat. Is this typical, or is the chance of catching a flat so remote that I can safely do without? Thoughts?

 Nope. Nearly everyone that I know of carries tubes/air supply on the bike for Oly and up. A lot of people do it for sprints too.

Many prefer to use the CO2 adapters instead of a frame pump. Lighter, quicker and way less effort.

John 

2009-03-13 2:27 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

If you would not want to DNF due to a flat, bring it.  No way to say wether it is likely or not that you will flat on any particular 24 mile stretch of road

2009-03-13 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

Bring your stuff.  DNF'ing for a flat is just silly.  Unless there are multiple flats and you run out of stuff.

I've done lots of races and only flatted once...but it happens and you'd rather have your stuff.

2009-03-13 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Elite
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Evergreen, CO
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

I always carry my tools, spare tube and cartridges, no pump.  Maybe I should carry 2 tubes as a double flat isn't unheard of.  Only takes a few minutes and beats the heck out of DNFing. 

Btw, what's the name of the woman pro who flatted in Kona and still won?  That was awesome!

2009-03-13 2:31 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
Beats walking 10+ miles back to Trasition or hoping the broom wagon sweeps you up....

2009-03-13 2:35 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Master
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Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

I carry at least one tube and two CO2 cartridges in a seat pack during a race.  I've flatted in a race once and was glad I was prepared!

For training I take a pump because it's more environmentally friendly (but slower and hard to get high pressure) than CO2.

Brian 

 

2009-03-13 2:38 PM
in reply to: #2016333

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Champion
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Ames, IA
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
skarl - 2009-03-13 2:29 PM

I always carry my tools, spare tube and cartridges, no pump. Maybe I should carry 2 tubes as a double flat isn't unheard of. Only takes a few minutes and beats the heck out of DNFing.

Btw, what's the name of the woman pro who flatted in Kona and still won? That was awesome!

Chrissie Wellington.  She is phenomenal.

Ditto on the spare tube(s) and cartridges 

2009-03-14 9:08 AM
in reply to: #2016308

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
During races I carry, one tube, two CO2's, a small frame pump, patch kit, tire levers, multi bike tool and my cell phone.  This is the same stuff I train with.
2009-03-14 11:26 AM
in reply to: #2016308

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Pro
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Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
I don't carry a repair kit. If I flat, I'm done.
2009-03-14 1:40 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
The fastest I can change a flat is about 2 1/2 minutes on the front.   I carry the repair kit so I can get back to the start.  I've had two flats on triathlons.  Once it was with a HED disk on the back.  It took me forever to get the flat fixed.  The second time happened on the front.  It was a pretty loose tire so I was able to pop the front wheel off.  Get the tire off.  Put a new inner tube in.  I used a C02 adapter and I was back on the road pretty quickly.  Ruined my time, but at least I got a chance to do the distance.

2009-03-14 2:18 PM
in reply to: #2016332

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Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
jldicarlo - 2009-03-13 2:29 PM

Bring your stuff.  DNF'ing for a flat is just silly.  Unless there are multiple flats and you run out of stuff.

Yeah... I've flatted in two seperate races, one of them I double flatted and ended up DNFing. Sucked at the time but I learned from it. Definitly bring along your kit to change on the course.  

2009-03-14 2:57 PM
in reply to: #2017784

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Expert
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Harrisburg, PA
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day
Jazon71 - 2009-03-14 2:18 PM

jldicarlo - 2009-03-13 2:29 PM

Bring your stuff.  DNF'ing for a flat is just silly.  Unless there are multiple flats and you run out of stuff.

Yeah... I've flatted in two seperate races, one of them I double flatted and ended up DNFing. Sucked at the time but I learned from it. Definitly bring along your kit to change on the course.  



Sort of did the same thing. Second tri last year, what was to be my A race, got a flat. Was at first incredulous of what happened, but went about to fix things, then snapped the valve off the new tube while removing the pump.

Yes, bring the necessary equipment...sh*t does happen.
2009-03-14 8:46 PM
in reply to: #2016308

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Expert
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The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

Spleen - 2009-03-13 2:24 PM Got an oli on Sunday, just my third tri and first on a road bike.  I'm fully intending to keep my wedge bag and frame pump on the bike 'cause I wouldn't want to DNF because of a flat.  Is this typical, or is the chance of catching a flat so remote that I can safely do without?  Thoughts?

 

I've been racing since 1986 and I have flatted one time in a race. Of course the one race I flatted in was Ironman Hawaii, so bring something if you want to play it safe. I usually only bring a spare on the long stuff, but that's just me.

2009-03-14 8:57 PM
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2009-03-15 12:48 PM
in reply to: #2016308

Extreme Veteran
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Middleville, MI
Subject: RE: catching a flat on race day

I have been carrying the little can of fix a flat stuff for races.  If that doesn't do the job, I am done for. 

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/shop/product.php?productid=16571&cat=289&page=1

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