Checking your spare tubes

William Jenks

Fortunately, I am lucky enough not to get many flats.  

But, this seems to have a drawback.  It seems like half the time I have a flat, my spare has a hole.  (In case you wondered, yes, this happened to me this weekend...on both of my spares [Grrrr!]...and no, the holes weren't in the same place, so it wasn't me doing something stupid.)

Because I don't get many flats, my spares stay exposed to air/rocks/whatever for a long time.  I've begun to wonder if I ought to dismount them and just check them monthly or something.  This seems like a hassle, but so is getting stranded, or having to change a tire twice in a race.

Any thoughts?  Does anyone have any evidence that carrying tubes in a bag or bento box is "safer" than having them taped to the bottom of your saddle or otherwise "exposed"?

Paul Hough

I use front/rear hyrdration systems ... and never carry anything in the frame which is the worst place to mount anything. Some folks disagree, but I seem to see more and more evidence of this. Anyway, I use a double cage system on the back, and one cage is for a tool "bottle" which has my tube, levers, a few allen keys, etc. I stick a second pair between the cages, but in a plastic baggie. I've never hed any problem when I need to make a change.

Bob Irwin

Like Paul, I always keep my spare tubes in a plastic bag, and have never had a problem. I keep one in a small pouch on the back of my rear carrier and one under seat for training. I have gone for years without a flat - when I needed them they were fine. But based on your question, I may get a couple of new tubes for my first race each year. Cheap insurance.

Tom Glynn

A long time ago my LBS suggested putting tubes into a small zip lock bag with a little baby powder to keep them dry and from sticking together. I rarely get flats, but when I do, I seem to get 3 or four in the span of a couple of weeks and then none for a long time. Nothing I can ever figure out!