Bicycle Tire Puncture Repair Kits and Tools
How to be Prepared to Fix a Flat Bike Tire and Other Emergencies
Aug 28, 2009
Urban cyclists may be able to hail a cab if their bicycle breaks down. However cabs can be hard to come by during rush hour or rainy days, or the cab driver might not want to carry a bicycle. Suburban, country and long distance cyclists will have to be self-reliant most of the time.
Being prepared to fix a bicycle by the side of the road takes planning and practice. Cyclists might only buy a tire (or tyre) patch kit and think that they are covered for most emergencies. They can be in for a rude surprise when trouble does occur.
How to Plan for a Bicycle Emergency
Studying possible breakdown scenarios is a good way to start planning an emergency repair kit.
A flat tire is the obvious contingency to plan for. There are different types of flats, requiring different spare parts. Carrying a spare inner tube covers many situations but tire patches are much lighter and more can be carried. Tire patches can also be used on tires of any size, useful when repairing punctures for other cyclists.
- A standard puncture is a hole in the inner tube. The hole is big enough to be easily located but small enough to be patched.
- A leak can be large enough to slowly deflate the tire but be too small to be easily located. The inner tube needs to be replaced, or the tire needs to be pumped up every few minutes.
- The hole in the inner tube can be too big to be patched. The whole inner tube needs to be replaced.
- A tear in the tire can be large enough to cause the inflated inner tube to bulge out from it and burst. A sheet of plastic or rubber (a "tire boot") is inserted between the inner tube and the tire to temporarily cover the tear.
Aside from a flat tire
- The bicycle chain could snap. There is normally enough slack in the chain (especially in derailleurs) to allow the broken link to be removed and the chain to be rejoined. A chain tool will get the job done.
- A wheel spoke could snap. A new spoke needs to be installed.
Minor problems can cause accidents and should not be ignored:
- Loose or dragging brakes.
- Loose seat.
- Loose handlebars.
- Loose pedal or crank.
- Loose headlamp.
- Unsecured brake or gear shift cable.
- Broken brake or gear shift cable.
Tools and spare parts should be checked to ensure that they fit the bicycle. However general purpose tools (such as an adjustable wrench) to fit any bicycle are useful when cycling in a group, in case one of the other cyclists doesn't have the proper tools or parts.
Emergency Bicycle Repair Tools
From the scenarios above, the tools needed are
- Hand pump.
- Tire levers to lift the tire off the rim to remove the inner tube.
- Spanner or wrench, large enough for the wheel hub and pedal cranks.
- Allen or Hex key wrench.
- Flat-head and cross-head screwdrivers.
- Spoke wrench.
- Chain tool.
Specialized bicycle multitools are available with many of the above tools. Any missing tools can be added individually. Manufacturers include Topeak, Crank Brothers, Blackburn, Bell and Park Tool.
Tools should be tested on the bicycle to check that they fit, and that they are long and sturdy enough to get the job done. Tools on a multitool can be too short.
Also useful are
- LED flashlight, for repairs at night. Can also serve as a spare headlamp.
- Cloth rag, useful when working on the bicycle chain.
- WD-40 to loosen rusted screws.
- Nylon zip ties (cable ties).
- Duct tape (gaffer tape). Can also serve as a tire boot.
- Spare nuts and bolts.
- Super glue.
Basic bicycle repair spare parts are:
- Tire patch kit.
- Tire boot.
- Spare inner tube.
- Spare spoke.
- Spare brake cable.
- Spare gear shift cable.
Being Prepared to Repair a Bicycle
A well-stocked bike repair kit can weigh as little as one or two pounds, most of which can fit unobtrusively in an under-seat bag.
Realistic practice is important. To be confident of being able to handle a puncture, purposely poking a hole in the inner tube and patching it isn't a bad idea.
Aside from fixing the bicycle, cyclists should also be prepared to fix themselves: with a first aid kit. And in case there is a serious emergency, a cellphone should be carried at all times. A general purpose multitool (with a blade, wire cutter and pliers) will also be useful.
Sheldon Brown has a good page on tire repair techniques and procedures. Some of the contents of this article is based on information from that page.
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