I am doing my first half Iron, the Gator Half, http://www.tntraces.com/GATORHALF.html, and also using tubulars (FSA Rd-488) for the first time in a triathlon. I have used tubulars many times and use them for time trials, but don’t know how many spares I should bring. I am thinking 2. I am planning on bringing used tires as spares. Should they be new tires for spares?
What do ya’ll do?
For a 1/2 IM I use(d) (now on clinchers) either zero or 1.
One. If you need more than that your race is toast anyhow.
one or none…
depends how badly you want to do the whole thing
and how badly you want to win
divide those two desires and youll come up with 0, 1, or 2 as the optimum number =)
.
I use zero. Some can change them quicker than others, but I am not one of them…I’ve only had 2 flats in 25 years…(now I’m hosed)
Zero…knock on wood, I’ve been racing for 19 years and never flatted in a race. I didn’t even take spares in the 2 IM races I did.
One
.
One and I usually carry Vittoria Pit Stop
Jodi
.
I HIGHLY recommend you take 3. Just to be safe. And carry 5 water bottles as well. You never know when the aid stations will run out.
What tires do you use!?!
And make sure you bring a Camelback too. Fill it to the brim. It gets hot out there.
The half tri is on the 1 year anniversary of my open heart surgery to replace my aorta. Finishing is my priority - a fast time (for me) is a plus. During my first sprint, I flatted, replaced the tube and flatted the other tire with 1/2 mile to go and had to walk the bike, so hence my concern for flats.
I am gonna go with 2.
Thanks to those who offered sincere advice…
If the race is supported like and IM event, then I would take 1. If you get 2, then wait for the support vehicle. More importantly than the age of the spares you use, I would say it is more important that you have good rubber on the bike. I rarely have ever flatted on new rubber.
I take a small bottle(~50cc) of Tufo sealant with a valve remover. Very light and if I have more than 1 flat I could fix that also. I’ve never needed it for Tri’s, but I did have a flat in a road race moments after I was passed by the neutral wheel vehicle that my wife was driving! Had I had the sealant it would have been much better(or if I would have been faster the vehicle would have been behind me) I would take one spare if it is not a hilly course, or no podium aspirations. Good Luck
Good point. I was also trying to rig a spare wheel. I think I can do it. You never know when a huge pothole is going to jump out at you.
Jodi
Welcome back from your surgery.
I think two is overkill but if it gives you piece of mind go for it. I’m going with one and pit stop for Cali 70.3.
Good luck!
I now carry 1 spare and vittoria pit stop due to my experience at Buffalo Springs 70.3 last year!
I flatted at the 3rd turn around and made a quick change and then 5 miles later the other went. Bike support was non existent and they said it was due to to many other flats already that day? My first flat in a race and first DNF in my 5 years of racing, what a rip. The only good news is since I didn’t do the whole race, 2 weeks later I had a fast half ironman substitute race.
Just take one spare. I’ve started 106 triathlons, all with one spare, flatted in 2 of them, and finished all 106. In IMs I’ll also take some “Pit Stop” or similar, but I hear bad things about that stuff, and have never had the misfortune to have to use it.
He probably needs take as many gels as the top tube will hold plus at least 2 flasks in his jersey pockets.
Oh and a five just in case he needs to buy a coke on the bike.