On the commute home last night I punctured about 2 miles into my 12 mile journey. From coming to a stop, to getting moving again was twenty minutes during which I got colder and colder, fingers a bit numb making it hard to handle anything. (20 minutes=find a street light to stand under, fumble around for multi-tool and spares, wheel off, tyre off, replace tube, replace tyre, wee behind a bush, inflate, put wheel back on)
If I was out on a 'pleasure' ride I'd have an extra layer etc to pop on, but with the commute 'kit carrying capacity' is limited.
What could I do to make the same situation less unpleasant when it happens again?
Take a woolly hat to slip on while you're stationary. It makes all the difference.
You can stash it where you currently keep your inner tube you won't be needing by going tubeless....
don't commute regularly any more but always carried blue nitrile gloves to put on for when fixing puncture in the cold/rain!
couple of "warm hands" sachets stuffed in the jersey pockets also? Wooly hat is a good idea too. I always used to commute with a thin DHB skullcap thing in the winter which was better than nothing!
Joystick or other helmet-mounted light solves this problem... I think they're essential commuting safety gear anyway to provide extra visibility to drivers at junctions/roundaboutsfind a street light to stand under
True, going tubeless would probably reduce the number of times it happens, but don't you still have to carry a spare inner tube +tyre boot for the times when the goo doesn't do it's sealing thing?
Shall we invent a woolly holder for spare inner tubes that doubles up as a hat? This time next year Rodney etc.😃
Seriously though, 1.go tubeless 2.magical super packable extra warm clothing.
What suggestions for "super packable extra warm clothing" ?
What could I do to make the same situation less unpleasant when it happens again?
Work quicker? (Or maybe pee quicker! 92% of body heat is lost through the penis - true fact. 😀 ) Twenty minutes for a puncture repair is a long time, and since a significant portion of the repair will be using the tiniest mini-pump for maximum pumping effort I wouldn't be bothering with extra layers. It is properly cold though. 😀
A well maintained bike and DH casing tyres, I’d rather be a coupe of seconds slower on climbs than mess about with punctures.
In cold weather (well, even cool weather in summer) I try and take an extra layer so that if the unexpected happens (unrepairable mechanical or a fall) I would merely be cold rather than in trouble whilst walking home/off the hill. That layer is normally just a shell waterproof/windproof but in winter conditions I'd take something warmer)
Same as driving in winter, car gets blooming cold very quickly if the engine won't run, I try to avoid going far without a layer incase I have to stand on the hard shoulder waiting for help.
and since a significant portion of the repair will be using the tiniest mini-pump
CO2 cartridge? Speeds things up but does remove the exercise portion of the repair.
The more "old school" members on here probably remember when group mtb rides were a puncture near-certainty. And speed repairs were apparently a competition and point of pride. I'm sure they will be very disappointed in a 20 minute tubed tyre repair.
Fell runners carry full body waterproof cover in a tiny bumbag, so there should be space if you get the right stuff. It's a sensible idea - a puncture is far from the worst thing that can leave you stranded in the cold, so it's a good idea to think it through.
Also, and I don't mean to sound like an arse, but practice replacing a tube - 20 mins is too long to be faffing about 🙂
"True, going tubeless would probably reduce the number of times it happens, but don’t you still have to carry a spare inner tube +tyre boot for the times when the goo doesn’t do it’s sealing thing?"
No. a puncture worm or whatever they're called will fix a 1/4" slit in under a minute. You're unlikely to find anything that will slash your tyre any bigger on the road, unless you scoot along in the gutter, which ain't the best idea anyway...
You plug a tubeless tyre puncture that won't seal - an inner tube would be for a massive side wall rent, almost never necessary. With CO2 it's the quickest way of fixing any puncture because you don't remove the wheel.
Tubeless will almost always be a good idea because most people pick up punctures on urban / suburban roads around your typical workplace.
What suggestions for “super packable extra warm clothing” ?
I've got a Montane Prism for this kind of thing though a down equivalent would probably pack smaller if space is really tight. It will fit in a bumbag quite easily though and i have stuffed it in an Alpkit Possum framebag before.
thinking about it, a hoodless down gilet would pack even smaller though the hood thing does make it feel very toasty
I keep some kindling and a box of matches in my pannier and make a little fire before doing the repair. Saves having to find a street light too.
In cold weather (well, even cool weather in summer) I try and take an extra layer so that if the unexpected happens (unrepairable mechanical or a fall) I would merely be cold rather than in trouble whilst walking home/off the hill. That layer is normally just a shell waterproof/windproof but in winter conditions I’d take something warmer)
The problem with this (on my commute) is that I'd be wearing my thickest, most suitable jacket. I wouldn't be carrying another jacket or top layer, so to put on an extra layer would involve stripping off and rearranging clothes for that 'quick repair'. A buff, however, has the magic ability to keep me warm on the coldest of trackside repairs.
and since a significant portion of the repair will be using the tiniest mini-pump
CO2 cartridge? Speeds things up but does remove the exercise portion of the repair.
I assumed it wasn't a CO2 cartridge because, if it is, what's happening to take 20 minutes? Are his repair bits tucked under his lunch so that needs to be eaten first? 😀
I've got a down vest/waistcoat/gilet that packs small, I'll start carrying that.
To everyone who said something like "20 minutes to replace tube?!?" you're absolutely right - I have no idea why it took me so long, other than my fingers being cold, sad, and hungry.
Just for the hell of it I'll repeat the process in the 'comfort'? of my garage at the weekend, and time it.
I’ve got a Montane Prism for this kind of thing though a down equivalent would probably pack smaller if space is really tight.
True, but down will suffer from being tightly packed for a long time - such as something you're only carrying for emergencies. Primaloft (like the Prism) will last longer in that scenario.
I usually carry a (Endura) Primaloft gilet. It can make quite a difference
Not sure tubeless is the panacea it's seen to be. Maybe Marathon's to avoid (as much as possible) at source rather than faffing when tubeless is spaffing...
I'd carry a Windstopper Beanie and a Pertex pullover to wear on top of everything else. Quick to put on and take off without faffing. Put them on as soon as you stop to avoid heat leakage... I also have a Primaloft gilet that's ace for standing around when it's really cold. Primaloft rather than down to deal with damp.
Waterproof jacket if you are going to be stopped any time. I carry Co2 just in-case I have to be going quickly - e.g. late for a meeting. TBH pumping a tyre up will keep you warm. 20 minutes is a long time though !
I had the same last night, went to the bike, put lights on and bag on rack to find the back tyre flat.
Cheated though, as I locked it up and phoned for a lift,.
Slightly off-topic, but I've noticed that the colder it is, the more people on a group ride want to help with sorting mechanicals - common interest and all that!
Not sure tubeless is the panacea it’s seen to be.
I don't know what panacea means but I assume its something along the lines of 'best thing ever'.
It really is though, less punctures to start with, and when you do get one, if you hear it before the tyre goes down, finger on the hole and get the preloaded tool out, put a worm in and you might not even need to get the pump out!
I used to have either a compressible jacket or cheap pacamac to chuck on if I had to stop. And either a Helly Hansen Merino beanie.
I normally keep warm during mechanicals but swearing a lot and washing my arms around in the air
I think a lot of people (probably due to tubeless) have forgotten how long it takes to change a tube in suboptimal conditions... In the cold and dark, with presumably a small pump, and needing a wee, which makes everything take at least 3 times longer.
I think your options are pretty much
a) carry an extra layer somewhere
b) accept you're going to get cold if you stop
I would go for a) just because it's good to be prepared - what if it ends up being longer than 20 minutes? Even one of those bottle cage tool kegs with a packable windproof in it would help.
Nothing worse than doing roadside repairs whislt freezing cold or when its pissing it down and your trying to fix something by street light or worse just by head/handlebar light!
Prevention is the best method, i commute 75 miles a week, pretty much every week
Tubeless helps a lot, tubeless on puncture resistant tyres makes a massive difference, im currently running Scwalbe Durano plus tyres tubeless (they are not designed to run tubeless)
5000 miles so far this year with zero punctures and zero issues running a non tubeless tyre tubeless, tyre has a few slashes and even the blue puncture protection belt is visable in some of them but the tyre still refuses to deflate (just tempted fate there!)
As for other mechanicals just keep on top of servicing and check the bike over once a week to catch anything early and listen out for any unusal noises
One of those boil in the bag handwarmer things.
Click it to make warm, stuff it up your top. Remove every now and again to warm hands with, the whole process will be much quicker if your fingers will bend. If you are cold when getting going again drop it down the back of your top as you set off.
Many many years ago I bought a big box of emergency space blankets. There’s several in the glovebox, a couple in the first aid bag, one in every backpack in the house, one in my tool bottle, basically squirrelled away everywhere they might be useful. I’ve used plenty over the years in first aid situations. Never had to use one myself but they’re so cheap and easy to carry so it’s reassuring to know they’re there.
I don’t know what panacea means
Apparently you can lose about 92% of your body heat through it.
I use mine as a kick stand
finger on the hole and get the preloaded tool out, put a worm in and you might not even need to get the pump out!
The first time I did this towards the bottom of Nan Bield, I took about 2 minutes from pack off to throwing my leg back over the bike and getting going again. One of my compatriots was agog and slack jawed at the efficacy of the whole process.
He proclaimed me the 'tubeless wizard' which became my name for the rest of the trip. Much as this was amusing, I was more surprised at his total ignorance of what was possible.
Lightweight Primaloft - or similar synthetic insulation-filled - jacket. Mine is an early Rab Xenon and weighs around 300g. It's fully windproof and surprisingly warm plus you can just throw in on over whatever else you're wearing. It packs down surprisingly small too. Doubles as ultra-cold weather riding wear, used once at around -15˚C about ten years ago. Carry a beanie as well, though the jacket is hooded.
Don't buy one of the synthetics that look like down with stitched baffles. The stitch-lines aren't fully windproof in high winds and the lack insulation where the stitching is creates cold spots/lines.
Waterproofs and windproofs reduce/eliminate wind chill, but have limited insulation value. You can get emergency relective, insulated jacket things - Blizzard Survival do some - but they're not much, or any, lighter than a lightweight insulated jacket and somewhat less versatile.
You could have peed on your hands for a bit of (temporary) warmth...
I normally keep warm during mechanicals but swearing a lot and waving my arms around in the air
Mechanicals = double entendre?
Mark and I once had to rescue my ex in a co-ordinated 'where TF has he gone' search after he got a puncture (tubeless) that wouldn't fix on his commute, got cold, made poor choices (probably down to the onset of hypothermia), and his phone died in the cold. He was well on the way to drunken-style hypothermic behaviour by the time Mark located him. On an exposed commute where there aren't shops or pubs to dive into in an emergency, it's worth packing as if you're heading out on the trail!
Just for the hell of it I’ll repeat the process in the ‘comfort’? of my garage at the weekend, and time it.
Definitely do this, with gloves on. Even in cold, I bet you could get this down to 5 mins with some practice and organisation.
I would +1 on thinking about clothes *in case*, or where shops/pub/swimming pool/friendly face you could at least stay warm in is.
I walk into the pub and have a pint whilst awaiting for the missus to pick me up
Primaloft + thin insulating hat + spare gloves for the repair(B&Q = cheap, white cottony things with a grippy palm for diy stuff)
A few years ago I had a puncture and when I changed the tube it was an old patched one that turned out to be leaky (damp and in November). Managed to limp a mile to the station that is halfway home just as the guard was closing the train doors. I was very grateful for him reopening them for me.
Next time I think I'll just try and limp, or even walk to the next station if I can.
Yes I am very fortunate to have a handy station 5 miles into a 10 mile commute.
I think the gilet is the answer, probably synthetic insulation. It needs to be sized to go over everything. It’s really quick and easy to add an outer gilet. If you need to walk home then it’s worth removing a layer and putting the gillet under your outer layer. Mine was £20 from Decathlon
I tend to carry a synthetic-insulated, hood less, packable coat. Mine is an Alpkit one. Patagonia do a very nice version - nano puff I think.
Packs down fairly small into its own pocket. Makes a huge difference if stopped for even a short while.
And a woolly hat.
Danger****.
.... 20 minutes=find a street light to stand under....
small headtorch as a "get me home" front light and an essential for repairs...I try to remember to check thru the saddlebag every 6 months to be surprised what's in there and find what needs replacing
Don't you love the troll comments, go tubeless, do it faster.
Mechanicals will always happen either to you, a mate, or someone you find. So go prepared to help yourself and others. Hat, space blanket, extra layer, a windproof at the least.
As for fingers, imagine you are a propeller plane and try and take off. Spin both arms together in different directions as fast as possible for a minute or two. Works wonders.
Feet are harder to do!
Always carry a spare layer, if you have no room for one, make room. Spare dry gloves can help too.
