I’m planning in switching to tubeless (on my all-road/gravel bike) and figured I might need to rethink my flat kit.
I’m curious what people are carrying in their flat kit, where you carry said kit, and what type of bike (ie road, mtn, gravel) and tires (tubed, tubeless, tubular) you have
I carry this kit LifeLine Tubeless Repair Kit | Puncture Repair | Wiggle Ive used it on a mates tubeless TT disc wheel and it was good for a sub 20min 10miles and another mate used it for me when my hands were wrecked by chemo and it was good for 30miles or so. I stick a quick link in there too. I still carry a spare tube levers and pump but touch wood they haven’t bee needed. There that’s me hexed it now and its guaranteed they all be needed on my next ride now
For years I used a saddle bag on each bike but decided I prefer to just carry stuff in my middle jersey pocket instead (which also meant I could share a kit between bikes)
Sharing this kit between my cross bike and all-road bike. Both currently use tubed tires (one being 38cc and the other being 32cc)
a small square piece of an old tire in case of a sidewall cut, a small pack of pre-glued tube patches
Things I might be missing:
The ability to repair a second flat. I flatted twice on a chunky gravel ride the other week. Pinch flat in the first tube then the backup tube (which was unfortunately a race-lite 18-23cc) was torn 1/4 mile later. I had a patch I could have used to repair the pinch flat but didn’t have a way to repair it.
A Quicklink to fix a broken chain
Could maybe carry a smaller multi-tool if I sat down and figured out exactly what size hex’s etc that I need. Also, have not had good luck with the pre-glued patches (twice they have come up and uncovered a the whole while riding) so I might not bother bringing them any more
Those tubeless plug thingys if I switch to tubeless
I think plugs are the only thing missing. The Dynaplug Racer tool is a very handy tool for plugging holes too big for sealant. It’s ideal to plug the hole rather than have to resort to the tube, so it’s a good option A to have in the pack.
handpump is also something to consider if you aren’t in a hurry, they are obviously more reusable and more fool proof than the CO2.
I’m using a Wolf Tooth 8 bit pack pliers which have a chain tool, place for quick links, tubeless sealant valve clearer, spoke wrench, valve wrench, then all the assorted multi tool bits. They can handle basically any problem I have.
I also carry a spare tube, a tiny tube patch kit square, a Gu wrapper that can double as a tire boot. Attached to the bike at all times are a tubeless plug kit (attached on my down tube) and a small hand pump (attached to a bottle cage). Very manageable and saved my bacon when I had a big slashed tired during a race.
I would add a small tire lever, but honestly I have no issue using my hands on my bigger tires, they are not a super tight fit. I try to avoid using a tube, it’s my absolute last resort.
Just as a suggestion - take a peek at the OneUp EDC stuff (its a bit spendy but rock solid)
I went with the EDC pump and EDC tool (slides into the pump) and I carry this on all training rides. I do not carry CO2 unless its a race.
It can attach to the frame (bottle mount) or I throw it in my back pocket when switching from bike to bike frequently. Also has a spot in the EDC tool to carry the bacon strips for tubeless.
I then just bring spare tubes (not tubeless yet) either in my pocket or in a saddle bag/bar bag depending on distance and type of ride
I flatted in Boston while on a prolonged business trip and had no one to call. Was my first time fixing a tubeless flat. Worked well enough to complete my hill climb workout.
Also, +1 for cycling in places with no cell service.
The context from which I understood the OP was “what do you normally carry as your flat kit”
If I am traveling to new places or a prolonged adventure race I will carry 4 normal plugs, 2 mega plugs (all Dynaplug), 3 x Co2, 1 x tube, tire levers and a multi-tool.
If I am home and doing my normal training or in my normal area I carry the mentioned Dynaplug Air in my post above. If it is a fast say 50k gravel race I carry just the one Dynaplug Air also.
Same kit for road and gravel bike. Dynaplug Racer with a flat pack of spare plugs. Small box of Parktool pre-glued patches. A spare tube. A Lezyne drive pump. And a £20 note which doubles up as either cash for emergencies or a makeshift repair for a tyre cut that’s too large to plug or patch. Fairly compact and covers all reasonable scenarios.
Don’t bother with CO2 on the basis that I’d never be comfortable with just one canister as I’m then stuck if that one misfires or I have multiple punctures, so I’d be carrying a pump anyway and would rather not have both. Have never had to use patches since going tubeless but they’re tiny, weigh next to nothing and have come in useful quite a few times helping out other people who haven’t taken quite such a belt and braces approach as I do!
Yip that my thinking and I can more gradually apply pressure which has been useful with some p’tures over the years. I have actually started carrying CO2 too but that’s more for group riding, a bit of peer pressure “you must carry one”. I prefer a pump myself. Lol, I carry Park patches too, they are just handy and take up little to no space in the back of my wallet, although touch wood I’ll never actually use them on a ride any more (I did when I was still on tubes and p’tured twice). I have actually used them on the commuter (which is still tubed) but only in the office as a get me home spare.
Road bike with tubes (and take the same kit with my cross bike which I run tubeless but honestly never get flats with):
Two tubes, but use conti race lights so two are about the size of one normal tube.
CO2 canister and head (for riding in groups so I don’t keep the others waiting). This multi-tool because it’s light but has a chain tool.
Spare quick link.
Two of these michelin tyre levers, which have always been my favourites.
That all jams into a small Speedsleev Ranger saddlebag (but I think they’ve changed their sizes since I got it, but it’s pretty compact). I like leaving my pockets free for food, phone and gilets etc in changeable weather.
I also mount a small lezyne minipump to the frame for a second flat, or if I’m riding solo and not in a hurry. If I’m jumping on one of my other bikes the saddle bag swaps over quickly and I stick the minipump in my pocket.