Okay…I honestly am going batty and coming up with crazy questions…I’m hoping someone is willing to help a first timer out…
What should I plan on carrying on the bike other then my nutrition and water? Currently I am planning on bringing one tube, tire levers, c02 cartridge and pump, and a multi-tool…is this too much? Not enough? A friend of mine said that she was considering riding with a spare tire?? Should I be planning the same? Am I missing something important here? Where do you carry a spare tire?!
When I race sprints and oly I usually don’t take any bike tools or even a tube for that matter. I’m not super fast at changing my tire so I figure that if something happens in a short distance race then its fate. But for my half IM I plan on carrying the required tools since the race is much longer and really I’ve trained pretty hard for the event so a flat tire isn’t (fingers crossed) going to keep me from finishing.
I always carry a spare, even for sprints - who wants to walk 5 miles? Sure, you’re probably out of the race, but you need to get back. anyway - 1 tube, 1 patchkit, 2 co2 carts, levers. I don’t bother with a multi-tool, I’ve found if something is broken the tool isn’t going to fix it.
Don’t take a tire. You probably don’t need the pump, either. Take two C02 cartridges and make sure they’re big enough to inflate the tire to the proper psi. Skip the multi-tool. If you have the nutrition worked out, you should be good to go.
I don’t really think you are carrying too much. I would ditch the pump and take an extra cartidge. I’d throw in some glueless patches with a tiny piece of sand-paper because they take up almost no room and serve as a back-up for your spare tube. I’d probably ditch the multi-tool. For levers I like the Crank Bros. “Speed Lever” for races as it’s fast. I carry this stuff in all races as it can save a long walk back.
Having completed exactly one HIM (where i stuffed more stuff into my pack that i thought possible), and thus an expert (right?), I’ll do the following next time: 2 tubes, 2 C02, C02 pump, levers, tool, cash. Cash is useful because a) it’s cash, and b) if you get a small to medium rip in your tire, you can fold a bill into 4ths or 5ths and slide it between the new tube and your tire – provides some protection against some new rock taking advantage of the new rip in your tire. I’d carry a tool only if you have room, but you could also check to see what the most likely size allen wrenches you need, and slip just a single allen wrench in your pack for what you need – that’ll take up almost no room. If your course is well-stocked, you won’t need a rear bottle holder, and all this stuff fits in a small/medium pack under/behind your saddle.
keep it simple get your spare and get 2 CO cartridges and a lever. Tape them together and either carry it in your pocket or under the seat.
my advice practice changing with those limited tools you gonna carry on the bike to see how efficient you are.
I’m totally going to follow your lead, spare tube and glueless patchkit…if its really not my day and I use both and still have problems then its probably best that I stop racing…afterall you probably should only push your luck twice in one day…they say bad things happen in threes afterall…besides running bike shoes is fun…just joking
Thanks to everyone, honestly this forum is helping me deal with my pre-race stress…none of which I had until today when I friend told me that she was carrying an extra tire…I know I need to stick with my game plan and race my race…your assistance is appreciated…now back to work
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I always bring my multi-tool just in case. I have one of those holders that fits in a bottle cage and throw 2 CO2 cartridges, the CO2 pump, one spare tube, and my multi-tool. Once on a training ride I had to adjust my rear dropout and was very happy I had my tool with me. I’ve also hear stories of people having their seat not tightened enough and having it shift during the race. It’s probably overkill to have the tool, but it’s not heavy and gives me peace of mind.
hi Erika! way to go on this 1/2! you’re going to have a great time out there. i echo what the guys have said. i have a small fizik pack under my seat that carries one tube, 2 CO2, and patch kit. don’t worry about a tire, but if you have an extra one, you can keep it in your car…i keep a new tire in my car but never carry it on any route. same thing with allen wrenches; in the car but not on a route (i can’t fix things that break anyway).
feel free to ask any newbie questions…everybody has to start somewhere!
Are you working under the assumption we already have one or two bottles on the bike? Just curious because the Cervelo frame only allows for a frame bottle cage on the seat tube, so I can only carry one bottle there. I think I need more than one bottle, no?
One bottle should be plenty to last between aid stations if they are every 10 miles. Just make sure to toss the old one and get a new one at every station. Unless you are a crazy sweater, you shouldn’t need more than 20 ounces every 30-35 minutes.
The bike course is an out and back, and you pass the aid station once no the way out and then on the way in. So based on your description, in comparison there is not much aid on the bike course.
If you start with your profile bottle and cage bottle full, dump your cage bottle into your profile bottle when you finish it, and refill both each time at the aid station, you get six bottles for the ride. I’d like to drink more than that if it’s real hot, though…
OK, I must be missing something…refill both each time at the aid station. I am stopping then? I’m not seeing how this can be pulled off on the fly. You may need to walk me through this…lol.
