not for general road rides. maybe if bikepacking but if i did would sure carry some disposable latex gloves to cope with the mess
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Yes I always take a spare tube. It’s like an umbrella. If you take one, you won’t need it. Works without fail.
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I’ve had plenty of bad luck with road tubeless (<35mm). I still ride tubeless because it’s a world of difference comfort-wise, but I always have one tube with me (on road tires). Haven’t been able to plug-seal any bigger holes (even with Dynaplug).
With gravel tires, it’s different (40mm and up). There I generally dare to go out without an inner tube - if the ride isn’t too long. When I’m out all day, like 100 miler, I’ll have a well stocked spares set (double tubes). I don’t really mind taking extra stuff with me, and if I have bike bags, why not use them, huh!
Plugs and at least 1 TPU tube, also a buttyl if I’m doing a ride faraway from home.
On my road bike I don’t carry tubes. I can’t physically get the tubeless tyre off the rim so what’s the point? I’m a plug and play kind of person and that seems to work so far. Interestingly, my new EV car has a plug kit and a e-pump for any flats. No spare tyre. I guess it’s the way of the future.
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I’ve only had to use a tube once, and it was because I basically pinch flatted a tubeless tire by hitting a rail crossing at wired angle and lost all pressure within a few seconds. It was freak thing and was my fault. I was glad I had a tube that day though.
Some cuts can be too large to get sealed by sealant. Just carry a tpu tube the 30-60g depending on bike type is nothing.
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It’s been like that for a while now! Tubeless comes from the automotive world after all. Haven’t had a spare wheel since at least 10 years now.
No—there’s no way I’m removing the washer that holds the tubeless valve in place when out on the road. For this reason, I don’t carry tire levers either.
Just a DynaPlug racer and 3 CO2s. When my supply of CO2s is finally exhausted, I’ll carry a mini electric inflator.
I’ve kept a Tubolito in my saddle bag for years since going tubeless. I inspect it frequently, but given the horror stories I’ve heard, I fully expect that it will have gone bad when I try to inflate it on the side of the road.
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Carry a tube all day long. I NEVER use patches, and the plugs work if you get the right puncture. A tube ensures I won’t get a continued flat, and I’m not stopping to re-inflate because the sealant isn’t sealing. Word of caution: Check the retaining screw on the tubeless valve stem on occasion. I was recently riding with my wife when she had a flat; the sealant didn’t seal. We went to replace it with a tube, and I was UNABLE to remove the screw to remove the valve stem. The bike mechanic who was roving the course had to cut the valve stem off to remove it.
Also, carrying sealant around is only as good if you can ensure it won’t open or be exposed to air. If so, it just hardens and then your without a repair.
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I consider a spare tube essential on rides. TPU tubes are tiny and can be stored easily. A tube with a boot will save you when all else fails.
one small element of advice - if you have a spare tube - take care!!
before putting a tube inside, run your fingers around (carefully) the inside of the tyre - the sealant has probably sealed around small shards of glass or thorns that will pierce the tube after 15-20km (or less).
Nope. Only time I’ve ever flatted in maybe 10k miles is when I let the sealant dry up.
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Disclaimer to carrying this much: Any bike packing / longer mixed rides across days i might do typically have a lot of gravel and backroads and VERY long walks back to civilization.
So i carry
- two TPU tubes in 45mm
- tyre boot
- mini nalgene bottle of sealant
- dynapro pill with spare plugs
- spare shifter cable
- spare SPD cleat
- spare presta valve
- co2 with a 25g cartridge
- spare quick link
- wolftooth tool to remove valve nut and open quick link
- michelin tyre levers (nice and compact)
- multitool with chain breaker
Most of this fits in a fairly compact Silca saddle bag, or goes in a third ‘under downtube’ bottle position. Pump is frame mounted, bottle of sealant drops into frame bag.
And don’t forget the PLB when going solo / backcountry. Better safe than sorry.
This is the main reason why I have pliers…. Altho I found yet another reason for them last week. Was on a 4-day bikepack when my buddies wheel spontaneously “loosened” all the spokes, probably had 70 kms to go on a 170 km day. Still well in the boonies. He didnt have a spoke key, I did, his spokes were so slack that I had to hold them with the pliers while he tightened the spoke nipples. We still haven’t figured out how a wheel goes slack while the nipples are still tight on the spoke. Rovals apparently. Maybe the carbon bed in the rim collapsed or something.
I’m in the same boat. Tire bead seats so well I could never get it off roadside. Dynaplug & handpump does the job.
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Yes I carry a plug kit, also a spare inner, helpful also to have a bit of plastic from something like a milk carton, you can use this to reinforce a large hole or sidewall tear if fitting an inner tube. It’s come in handy in the past.
I always carry dynaplugs and a pump (hand or electric) but only carry a tube if I leave the city. Never used it for me but that’s good luck. Have some emergency sealant and tyre glue to try first. But if I’m in the countryside without a train station and even a phone signal I feel the need to carry a tube. Not sure how I would remove the tyre even with levers as they are tough to unseat them remove. I don’t tend to leave the city solo so hopefully can be a group success.
Simon
I do carry a tube always but more as a sign of piety to ward of evil.
I ride in the American Southwest where there are so many goatheads and so much glass, that I’d likely need to spend 30-60 minutes removing all the embedded thorn and the like that the sealant has sealed around.
on remote rides, I carry dynaplugs and extra sealant. For bikepacking, I add some bacon and thread/needle.