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What do you do when you get a flat in a race?
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 2014-06-09 7:58 AM |
 278   Atlanta, Georgia |  Subject: What do you do when you get a flat in a race?Total newb question here. Most people have a nice compact pack on their bike with a spare, CO2, levers, etc, and it's all nice & wrapped up tight & aero. But what do you do when you get a flat in a race & have to use it? After you are done changing the tire, you have the old tube/tubular and used CO2 cartridges. You can't just toss them on the road for fear of a litter penalty (plus it's a jerk move). So what do you do? Try & shove it all back in your saddle bag? Shove it in your back pocket? Put the tube around you like a bandoleer until the next trash stop? |
| 2014-06-09 8:05 AM in reply to: Meathead |
Elite 3683   Whispering Pines, North Carolina | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? I've never had to worry about a flat during a race (knock on wood), but if I did, I'd probably stick it in my back pocket and go. I've seen ppl just leave tubes on the side of the road, which I agree is a jerk move (unless it's at an aid station). It might be worth it to have something kind of sharp to slice the flat tube to make it easier to roll up. If you've ever tried to roll up a flat tube, the air can still get trapped, making it difficult to roll into a small size. |
| 2014-06-09 8:42 AM in reply to: d00d |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Good question! I would definitely carry it back with me. My tri-suits don't generally have a big back pocket, so I would go bandoleer-style if the distance back is short. I use a wedge, so I could probably shove it back into the pack, but if I didn't I might also shove it down the front of my top if I still had to ride for a while. I do have another rule - if I am within a mile or so of transition I will either ride back on the flat or walk it in. |
| 2014-06-09 8:45 AM in reply to: Meathead |
| Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Stuff it all back into the wedge bag. If you're changing a tube, you're not all that concerned with avoiding a puncture in the tube you replaced when you're putting it back. |
| 2014-06-09 8:47 AM in reply to: Meathead |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? If the tube doesn't fit in any of your storage places, carry it on your shoulder, diagonally across your torso. Had to do that before and chucked it at the next aid station. |
| 2014-06-09 8:55 AM in reply to: Meathead |
Pro 5011 Twin Cities | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Start walking back to the transition area :D I don't carry a kit...but if I did, and I were to change a tube, I'd just shove everything in a pocket or whatnot until a garbage stop. |
| 2014-06-09 9:21 AM in reply to: Meathead |
Master 3888 Overland Park, KS | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Originally posted by Meathead Total newb question here. Most people have a nice compact pack on their bike with a spare, CO2, levers, etc, and it's all nice & wrapped up tight & aero. But what do you do when you get a flat in a race & have to use it? After you are done changing the tire, you have the old tube/tubular and used CO2 cartridges. You can't just toss them on the road for fear of a litter penalty (plus it's a jerk move). So what do you do? Try & shove it all back in your saddle bag? Shove it in your back pocket? Put the tube around you like a bandoleer until the next trash stop? Put it wherever you have room, plain and simple. Back in the saddle bag, bento box, jersey pocket etc. good idea about around the neck, you can drop it in the trash at the next aid station etc. In my race yesterday saw a guy waiting for mechanics as he did not carry a spare. It was a 70.3 and all I was thinking was tick-tock, tick tock .......Only 5 minutes off an HIM bike split isn't that bad. |
| 2014-06-09 9:32 AM in reply to: Meathead |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? I've only had one flat in a race, and was able to stuff everything back into my saddle pack. Biggest problem I had was getting the tire off and back on the rim of my Renn 575 disc. Very tight; glad I had a couple of tire levers. Mark |
| 2014-06-09 9:47 AM in reply to: reecealan |
Champion 6993 Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? My real world experience 1) start taking the tire off. 2) Have issues and do your best Norman Stadler impression. 3) Get lucky with sag pull up after you got the tire off. 4) Let them do all the work and tell them how awesome they are 5) reattach wheel and take off One thing I will point out to alway to check the tire for anything stuck in it. I seen many people replace 6 or 7 tubes in a race. I would made the same mistake if swag did not stop by and do the tire change for me. |
| 2014-06-09 12:15 PM in reply to: Meathead |
| Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Usually back pocket, but if you have a one piece with no pockets I've seen guys in training just shove stuff up the opening of their leg. |
| 2014-06-09 12:41 PM in reply to: Jason N |
Expert 1224 Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? **KNOCKING ON WOOD RIGHT NOW**** So far I haven't had to do it. But if I had to, I would change it on the course, give up any hope of finishing in a great time. Throw the tube over my head or wrap it around the handle bars and just finish the G-D race cursing for my bad luck. Woah is me.
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| 2014-06-09 1:52 PM in reply to: siouxcityhawk |
| Regular 272 Apple Valley, Minnesota | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? I would shove it in the tri top, or go bandoleer, I have blown tubes training, once was 2 mi out, and decided to walk rather then monkey with the tube. I however did strip out a pedal my first tri (4 mi into a sprint.), I finished the ride, holding the pedal, worst bike time, but then I passed people on the run. now I check and double check everything, I will look at tire pressure right before I get set in the transition. |
| 2014-06-09 4:36 PM in reply to: Meathead |
Expert 2355 Madison, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Originally posted by Meathead Total newb question here. Most people have a nice compact pack on their bike with a spare, CO2, levers, etc, and it's all nice & wrapped up tight & aero. But what do you do when you get a flat in a race & have to use it? After you are done changing the tire, you have the old tube/tubular and used CO2 cartridges. You can't just toss them on the road for fear of a litter penalty (plus it's a jerk move). So what do you do? Try & shove it all back in your saddle bag? Shove it in your back pocket? Put the tube around you like a bandoleer until the next trash stop? down the shirt and toss it away at the next aid station |
| 2014-06-10 8:45 AM in reply to: brigby1 |
| 96 | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Originally posted by brigby1 If the tube doesn't fit in any of your storage places, carry it on your shoulder, diagonally across your torso. Had to do that before and chucked it at the next aid station. I caution against this. I actually saw someone do this, get the tube caught on the bike, and down they went. if it doesn't fit somewhere, fold it up and stick it in your shorts or top until the next station |
| 2014-06-10 10:51 AM in reply to: d00d |
| Master 1946 Memphis, TN | Subject: RE: What do you do when you get a flat in a race? Originally posted by d00d I've never had to worry about a flat during a race (knock on wood), but if I did, I'd probably stick it in my back pocket and go. I've seen ppl just leave tubes on the side of the road, which I agree is a jerk move (unless it's at an aid station). It might be worth it to have something kind of sharp to slice the flat tube to make it easier to roll up. If you've ever tried to roll up a flat tube, the air can still get trapped, making it difficult to roll into a small size. Poke it with the valve stem |
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| Anyone doing/done the Santa Rosa Island Tri or Destin Crab Trap Tri | ||
| Never try anything new in a race...especially getting a flat | ||
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