[Damitletsride!]

Since running tubeless, I've been carrying less with me compared to when I was running tubes. My thought process being that I rarely puncture with tubeless, and if I do then my race will be pretty much over anyway. Saying that though, I've burped a tire pretty badly in two races over the last year, each time I couldn't get the tire to hold air anymore which ended my race. The first time it happened I put in a tube after stopping about three times to try and pump it up again, and the 2nd time it happened, I had a C02 canister and tried to blast it up and get it to seal, but no joy. I wasn't carrying a tube on that occasion so I had to pull out.

Well what do you all carry with you on marathon type one day races? Obviously on long stage races I carry a camelback with all the spares and tools I'd hope to over need, but shorter course marathon racing is different I guess. Do many people here carry a spare tube/leavers/pump and C02 canister? Or none of the above? Or some?

Cheers.

 

[8Shakes]

I usually go the route you mentioned above - tubeless is pretty bullet proof unless I cut a sidewall in which case I am F'd anyways. Usually carry 2 c02s and the gun.

However last weekend I was out in the remotes of the world, alone, and opted to leave my multi tool in car...you know 'light is right'. Then I tore off my hanger and couldn't break my chain to make it a single speed so I had a nice long walk out in my bike shoes...6 miles. So I may be taking that F'er with me everywhere from now on.

Yes I am stupid to ride alone in the mtns and stupider even to not grab that tool...but things have gone so swimmingly with mechanicals that I was lulled into a false sense of security.

 

[economatic]

After repeatedly taking too much gear on races I significantly cut back this year. I run tubeless and carry a tube, levers, 2 CO2 cans, and the gun/head under the seat then toss another tube in a drop bag for mid-race if possible. I also carry a small tool bag strapped to the frame that has the normal minimalist stuff needed for a race (including a patch kit) but no Camelback unless aid stations are few and far between.

However last weekend I was out in the remotes of the world, alone, and opted to leave my multi tool in car...you know 'light is right'. Then I tore off my hanger and couldn't break my chain to make it a single speed so I had a nice long walk out in my bike shoes...6 miles. So I may be taking that F'er with me everywhere from now on.

Yes I am stupid to ride alone in the mtns and stupider even to not grab that tool...but things have gone so swimmingly with mechanicals that I was lulled into a false sense of security.

I did something similar a few months back but my penalty was 9 miles. I learned my lesson.

 

[Ptor]

Two cyclocross tubes, tire levers, a Ritchey multitool (includes a chain tool), and a piece of aluminum foil for a tire boot go in the seat bag. A Lenze pump is on the frame (lighter than CO2 and a chuck). One year at the Leadville 100 -- back in the early days of tubeless (pre-Stan's even) -- I melted a hole in a Continental tire with my homemade tubeless mix at mile 65, suffering a blowout. I booted the tire with a power bar wrapper, tossed in a tube and finished without further incident. On my road bike I once suffered a cut side wall and booted it with a $5 bill. Since those incidents, I keep a dollar bill-sized piece of foil in the seat bags of all my bikes for booting purposes. Most important in my opinion is keeping my rides in good repair and typically mechanicals don't happen -- but there are occasional issues. One year in the Laramie Enduro I was piloting a tandem with my daughter on the back and we cut the rear derailer cable banging on a rock. We tired off the cable, adjusted the limit screws of the rear derailer to position the chain in the middle of the cassette and finished the last 25 miles with 3 gears (shifting the front). This year I had a pedal break (body came off the spindle) during the Enduro, but managed to limp it into an aid station and catch a ride back to the start/finish -- too far to ride on a single speed with a broken pedal. It was my first non-finish due to a mechanical in an endurance race in some 20+ starts over the past 15 years (and one non-finish due to freaking out in a lightening storm at the E100 in Park City and using it as an excuse to call it a day).

 

[Stupendous Man]

If I am carrying a pack, then I have a CB multi-tool (with chain breaker), a spare tube (I also run tubeless), C02 & inflator, hand pump, tire lever, spare derailler hanger, 1 or 2 quick links for my chain. Depending on the terrain and distance sometimes I will carry a second tube and/or a 2oz bottle of stans fluid. I also have some lightweight stuff like bandages, zip ties, electrical tape in the pack. If Im not wearing the pack, (ie a lap race) then its 1 tube taped to the bike, CO2, chain link, and multi-tool in a jersey pocket.

 

[claystrick]

Don't usually wear pack, but usually tube, levers, quick links, small multi tool and chain tool...2 CO2s with inflator head in jersey. If the terrain is going to be super rocky, then prob an extra tube and CO2s.

 

[Damitletsride!]

So do any tubeless riders not carry anything for 75-100km marathons? Not sure if I should for the next one or not.

 

[quax]

I race tubeless for almost a decade now. I'd say most of my (few) flats (and other technical problems) were during racing. It would have never occurred to me not to race without a spare tube. I admit, I even carry two with me. It happened to me once that the one spare was defect as well.

Usually it is imperative to help your fellow bike colleagues when in need. However, in a race I refuse to give away one of my spares when one of those "I ride without a spare tube" begs. Nowadays I only compete for getting into the top 25%. But still. And I must say I see those non-spare-tube guys at almost every race.

One nice new product is this:
Tubeless Tire Repair Kit - Genuine Innovations

But I still carry my spare tubes with me.

 

[economatic]

Considering the weight penalty for a tube, lever, and CO2 can is minimal, I'd never intentionally go without. But I'm not (yet?) at the level to be on the podium for any races.

FWIW, I actually got a flat 18 miles into a 62 mile race earlier this season. I had only one tube and it got me rolling but I was a bit nervous for the remaining 44 miles considering I had nothing left. After that I started having a second tube available.

 

[robertdavid]

I carry a lot of stuff to get me out of the woods, riding my bike. Extra chain links, tools, etc. I will not stop in a race anymore for someone who is going light and not even carrying a multi-tool or a spare tube. Done it one too many times. I like helping but it is your/their choice to go light. I want to have an opportunity to do well and finish and the extra weight doesn't cost that much time. You can skip aid stations and that is the big time saver, IMHO.

 

[Walt Disney's Frozen Head]

For the more remote courses I'll pack all this in a little ziplock sammich bag
*2 or 3 tire boots cut from 2-liter soda bottles - flexible and tough as hell
*single serving chain lube (pro-gold extreme that I got in a schwag bag)
*quick link(s)
*~3ft of bailing wire
*~3ft of duct tape - for boots or blisters or ???
* super-glue
* spare deraileur hanger

Doesn't weigh much relative to my fat ass and has occasionally saved both myself and others from long walks.

Sometimes I'll tape this (3m super 88 electrical tape) on the inside of a seatstay just so I don't forget it.

 

[quax]

So do any tubeless riders not carry anything for 75-100km marathons? Not sure if I should for the next one or not.

And, what have you decided?

 

[Damitletsride!]

And, what have you decided?

Current plan is to have a light mini pump on the frame and keep a tube and levers in either a jersey pocket or a small saddle bag. And run much higher pressure tires than I did last time, about 30 instead of 22.

 

[zrm]

So do any tubeless riders not carry anything for 75-100km marathons? Not sure if I should for the next one or not.

Anyone who says you don't have to carry a tube because they're running tubeless and you know, "you never flat unless it's a big tear and then your screwed anyway" is probably going to end up doing a long walk, probably sooner than later.

 

[seano]

I use a Back Country Research new race strap under the seat which holds:
* Tube
* Park tire boot
* One tire lever
* Specialized EMT Pro multi tool
* CO2 cartridge with Genuine Innovations Airchuck attached
* all wrapped in a Back Country Research tube tarp

I also keep a quick link taped to remote lockout line up near my handlebar.

In long races, I always have spare tubes/tools/CO2 in my pit or drop bags. I used to carry a Lezyne pump on the frame, but the CO2 is so much quicker. Pump is nice if something goes wrong with cartridge, seating a tire etc.

Previously, I used traditional seat packs (Specialized and Lezyne and others), but most/all zippers have failed over time and its hard to get in/out of the bags when all amped up in a race.

I race 100k up to 24hr solo - have burped a tire in a 100k... nice that day to just add air with the pump and still have my full spare setup. I've flatted once in two different 24hour races - certainly glad I had my setup on the bike.

Definitely shorter races like the 100k, a flat my drop you a handful of spots with not as much time to make it up, but you'll still finish the race and maybe salvage the day.

 

[solo-x]

1 Tube
1 Tire lever
1 CO2 cartridge with nozzle
1 Specialized EMT multi-tool

I should probably carry a boot, but figure I can use the BCR tube tarp as a boot if I had to.

 

[rusheleven]

I know this thread is old, but something that I don't think anyone mentioned. . .

Check your sealant a week before the race. Make sure there is plenty in there and that it is fresh.

The number one reason people flat on a tubeless set up is from running it to long with out adding more sealant. Number two is sidewall cuts. Number three is burping.


Tube
Lever
C02 Gun
C02 Cartridge x3 (I've considered trying one of the 40 or 25 oz cans)
Quick Link
Chain Breaker
Hanger
Bandana (keeps the rattle down and can be used as for medical)
Allen Keys (lighter than my multi tool. only carry 4,5,t25. only bolts on my bike)

I don't bother with a carrying a boot. Food packaging works fine.

On solo long rides I also carry
+1 tube
+ Patch Kit
+ Mini Pump
- C02 Shenanigans

 

[xray_ed]

I race without a pack, so I try to minimalist. I carry a Lyzene HV Drive pump on the bottle cage instead of CO2 cartridges and valve. Several times I've had a leaking tubeless tire and used up my CO2 trying to seal it. If the seal doesn't hold and I've used up my CO2, I'm just SOL! The pump may be slower but it's more reliable and it's actually lighter than the CO2 system.

I also carry a spare tube, tire levers and a Crank Brothers multi tool. What I do is wrap the levers & multi toll snugly in the tube, then wrap it tightly with a 2" piece of strong Velcro. I then use another piece of Velcro to secure it to the saddle rails. I find that this is more secure and reliable than a seat bag. It also does not rattle which every bag I've ever had did.

 

[TomP]

... a spare tube, tire levers and a Crank Brothers multi tool...

Genuinely curious here, not being snarky, but...

Does anybody actually need/use tire levers for mtb tires these days? Sometimes I get a tire/rim combo that's kinda tight, but I can't remember for 15 or more years having a combo so tight I needed levers. Road tires yes sometimes, but not mtb for me.

What say you, do you carry tire levers AND need them for your mtb?

EDIT: Definitely with you on the pump. CO2 is nice to have, especially if you need to reseat a tubeless setup, but if all you have is CO2 Murphy's Law will dictate that you will have one more flat than you have cartridges.

 

[hey_poolboy]

For long races
2 tubes
6" chunk of old tube
Two 20oz. Co2
Electrical tape
2 zip ties

My bike's der hanger is a little too large to carry a spare. (highball)
The 6" chunk of old tube can be used for a boot.
Last year @ the BT Epic I cut a sidewall at mile 19. Tubed it and booted it with the old tube piece. Even taped around the tire and rim as a whole with the electrical tape and made it the last 35 miles w/ no problems.