Thank you for those who stuck around to talk about roadside repair! Here is a recap for those of you that couldn’t make it. This is a skill-share that I’d like to repeat again. If you’d like an additional topic covered, please let us know!
Give Yourself a Break
Sometimes you are unable or unwilling to do a roadside repair, and that’s perfectly okay!
Phone a friend, use a bus pass, use your guaranteed ride home pass, or walk. Flip your bike upside down as a distress signal. Secure your bike with a U-lock using proper locking technique, and come back for it later. Throw your bike on a bus rack. Know where your local bike shops are.
Tools to Carry
We opened our tool bags/ tool burritos and compared the things that we carry.
Susan’s toolkit
Lowrah’s Tool Burrito
Lowrah’s tools
Avoiding Flats
Keep your tires at or near maximum pressure. Use high-quality, puncture-resistant tires. Avoid potholes, broken glass, etc.
Fixing Flats
Practice= confidence!
Inspect the wheel, tire, and tube. Is it a pinch flat (snake bite), puncture (hole) or tire fail (blow out)? Is it patchable, do you have a spare tube and pump? If you can identify a patchable hole, sand it down well, let the glue dry fully, firmly put on the patch. If you have a tire blowout or hole, boot the tire with a dollar bill as a temporary fix.
Chains
Keep your chain clean and lubed. Know how to put your chain on your bike if it falls off. Know how and when to use your chain tool.