I did my last Ironman in the 80’s and can’t even remember what I brought just in case I got a flat. In fact, and this is gonna date me…I think I raced on sew ups. My question is, what do you bring on the bike when racing…to repair flats or anything else that may happen???
I’m doing the 70.3 in Kona in June 20021 and then a 140.6 next summer of 2021.
Thanks in advance… everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful on this forum.
Mark
I mounted a small tool bag on my bike with a tube, CO canister, canister connection, two tire removal plastic pries and small 5mm Allen wrench. Probably a better utility tool would be better.
The good news is that unless it’s a really bad road surface, it’s unlikely you’ll get a flat - but not impossible.
LEBoyd,
Thanks. About the same that I carry on an everyday ride. Little bit of extra weight but a necessity just in case.
That’s what I carry, although I carry two CO2’s. One thing I would add is a piece of patch (see Park Tool Emergency Boot). I’ve seen flats from a TINY piece of metal in the tire that could not be removed, so flats keep happening unless you cover that area.
Also, make sure the valve stem on your spare tube is long enough, if you have aero wheels, and/or not too long, if you run a disc wheel. I carry two spare tubes for my tri-bike, one with a long stem for the front aero wheel and the other with a short stem for the disc wheel.
And of course practice. It’s worth using up a CO2 canister or two to make sure you know how everything works and can do it relatively quickly.
For my race setup I run a deep front wheel (90mm) and a disc rear (both are HED Jet plus). I carry 1 spare tube that has a valve length that is short enough for the disc valve cutout. But put an valve extender on there long enough for the front deep wheel. That way if need be I can remove the extender depending on which wheel flatted. Also pack tire levers, CO2 inflater (couple of cans), small multi-tool, spare chain quick links (you never know), tube patch kit and Di2 wire tool (cause i run Di2). Also a couple of paper towels…to wipe hands down if you have to mess with the chain…had to do that during a TT once as I had the chain drop mis-shifting the front chainring.
I also carry some emergency tire boots in case of a cut (got the park tool ones). Had that happen on a brand new tire on my road bike with a 3" long sidewall cut.
One thing I also have in there is a kool stop tire bead jack as it make it easier to mount tires on extra wide wheels (when you’re worn out from riding/swimming affects finger dexterity for me at least). I bought a second one and cut the handle shorter to fit in my saddle bag.
One thing to note is for short races i really only carry the 1 tube but for longer distances I’d carry 2 because you never know. Probably would try to fit a 3rd CO2 cannister too.
I’ve thought carrying extra tubes and CO2 canisters, but then in the back of my mind I always think that if I am unfortunate enough to have two flats my race is done 
I just don’t think I could mentally get back in the game.
For longer training rides, if I had two flats, I’d call my wife or a friend to come get me…
I only carry one spare tire on my truck
Tube, CO2, inflator, and levers. Small multitool.
If I need more than that, my race is over anyway
Dktxracer,
Thanks for the suggestions…very good points
.
I carry a patch kit. I’m old fashioned and still use good old butyl tubes. If I can find what caused the flat (nail, glass, screw, splinter, thorn, goathead, etc) I can patch a tube faster than I can change it, and you don’t even take the wheel off the bike. I’ve been riding over 40 years, and 9 times out of 10, the cause of the flat, is still in the tire. Locate it, pop just enough tire bead off to pull the tube out, scratch, apply glue, it’s dry in seconds, apply patch, don’t forget to remove offending object, shove the tube back in, pop the bead back on, inflate and go. Living in Kansas, the land of goatheads, one gets really really good at this.
I have to comment, that the above used to be common. 40 years ago we all did it. I’m blow away these days, that almost no one does it. “Wow… you can do that?” is usually the reaction I get. I’m back on the road quicker than some folks have their back wheel off.
The only time I replace the tube on a ride or race, is when I can’t find the offending object in the tire, and that’s rare. Like I mentioned, I probably patch-and-go 9 times for every wheel/tire-removal-tube change.
Being old fashioned, one thing I’ve never tried, are the no-glue self-adhesive patches. Most of the reviews I read on them are not very good. A good galvanizing glue patch will last the life of a tube, but the reviews on self adhesive patches, sound very temporary. But in a race, they would make getting back on the road about 30 seconds to a minute quicker (no waiting for glue to dry), in the above scenario.
IMO, the minimal flat kit is 1 Tube, 1 Tire Lever, and 1 CO2.
In addition to the above, I carry a micropump and some adhesive patches. This basically ensures that I can make it back to T2 even with multiple flats.
All of the above fits in a spare water bottle that is in one of my behind-the-seat cages.
Many people will also add a small multitool in case of things like slipped seatposts.
Tubeless + sealant = no more flats
Sam
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Do you carry a tubeless repair kit for races? Or an extra tire and sealant?
Im debating going tubeless for 70.3.
I had flats on my roadbike tubeless use muc off sealant and made it home on a 75 miler ok sealant did its job sprayed a lot to seal a glass puncture 35 miles into ride. Air pressure was down a little but much faster than if I would have to stop and change tube.
While tubeless flats are rare, they are not unheard of, so many/most folks pack a spare tube and CO2 as a flat kit.
Roadside repairs are a huge mess though, courtesy of all that sealant.
if your goal is just to finish without worrying about breaking 5:00 in a 70.3 and being fine with 5:01 is ok… then just get these:
You bring the exact same as you bring on your training rides.
I bring a floor pump, to get the PSI really dialed,
An extra tube, and an extra tire for both wheels. I also bring an air compressor in case one of my CO2s doesn’t work and the floor pump breaks. Bring a can of spray foam to fill the tire in case your extra tubes blow. it’s not bad,
It all fits in an aero trailer behind my shiv. 
if you are going to try CO2, then get one that has a valve connector that has a screw tap or trigger on it, that way you can control when the CO2 empties after you connect it. Also, get the CO2 cartidge with a foam sleave around it. That stops it rattling in your spare kit, and also keeps your fingers from getting really cold when youre inflating, and its reusable. Last thing - cartridges come with a threaded top or non-threaded and the one you need depends on the valve connector you use.
After a CO failure on a training ride I now carry a mini pump on my bike. Unless you are FOP an extra minute to pump up a tyre will not make a lot of difference. I carry two tubes, valve extenders and the valve extender tool thingy.
I bring a floor pump, to get the PSI really dialed,
An extra tube, and an extra tire for both wheels. I also bring an air compressor in case one of my CO2s doesn’t work and the floor pump breaks. Bring a can of spray foam to fill the tire in case your extra tubes blow. it’s not bad,
It all fits in an aero trailer behind my shiv.
I’m laughing at your satire! But really, in a dozen years of racing, I did experience a flat - at USAT nationals - changed the tire, and the CO2 did not work because the inflator head would not penetrate the top. Race over. When I got home, I put a different inflator on, same thing. It’s like the CO2 cannister was manufactured with a triple thick coating on the head. I now always take a 2nd CO2 as back up. But I’m considering an aero trailer so I can increase my bench stock further!
In all seriousness I keep 2 co2 with me I case I screw up or it misfires.