More than crashes or the myriad other problems anticipated before embarking on a ride, the threat of a puncture is the most tangible. I could be persuaded to leave for a ride or start a race without my trusty multi-tool or even my bidons, but never without at least one tube and a means to inflate it in case of un pneu crevé.
Those of us observing Rule #29 carry a minimum number of tools, each carefully selected for their versatility, weight, and size. Our machines are meticulously maintained, thus roadside repairs are rarely required. Chain tools and box-end wrenches are superfluous and need not feature in the Velominatus’ road training toolkit. A multitool, a spare tube or two, a simple tire lever, and a means to inflate a tire are all that is required.
The means by which we choose to inflate our tires on the road is determined by reason or whim; small, lightweight means of inflation both pump and Cartouche CO2 are readily available for all budgets. My preference is to carry a small C02 inflator with two cartridges and to distribute the weight between my three pockets. I use a rubber band to bind the cartridges together with the tire lever and put them in the center pocket; the inflator and multi tool each go in a side pocket (the mulitool goes on the right, for obvious reasons.)
Made of brass and plastic twist valves, most CO2 inflators suffer from KFC regret and are cumbersome and unnecessarily heavy. Always one to appreciate a simple, minimalistic design, it was love at first sight when my gaze passed over the Lezyne Trigger Drive CO2. Meticulously constructed of CNC-machined aluminum, it is ridiculously lightweight and possesses the soft polished glow reminiscent of the gleaming metal bits Campagnolo produced in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I almost yearn for the hiss of air escaping from my tire, just for the excuse to use it.
In the hand, it feels smooth and perfectly weighted – the folks at Lezyne do the work of a Velominatus. The cartridge threads into it perfectly, without allowing the escape of any air from its compressed confines. It threads perfectly onto the valve stem; the action required to unleash the pressurized gas is both effortless and controlled.
I am not too proud to say I carried it with me everywhere I went during the first two weeks I owned it. Magnifique.
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@Marcus
Jacky Bobbie! The kid is going to kick a lot of asses this year. Yet another Garmin rider, Vaughters is looking pretty wise these days.
Lexiconed!
@blaireau
Obviously, you've never seen me ride. I'm so badass, my C02 counts. I'm a mufukin diesel.
@Gianni, @Marko
A TALLADEGA NIGHTS REFERENCE?? Incredibly well played.
@frank
Gramin has actually been calling him that since last year and made a rippin' funny t-shirt. Just co-opting it for the site.
I'm gonna need a clarification here. Are we worried about puncturing a kidney when landing on your back after applying too much V to the victory wheelie?
@pakrat
Couple things:
1. A victory wheelie is many things, but the realm of the v it is not. Slanders obviously applied too much of his copious Douche to his wheelie.
2. Pump induced kidney injuries are nothing to laugh about. Toby Weaverson died of that.
3. I made #2 up.
4. I made #3 up.
5. #2 is true.
I had one flat in 2010, just sayin'.
Knock on wood.
Hmm, I'll have to pick one up for 2011. I've been using a Genuine Innovations chuck head for a year or two. Or wait, let me restate that, I've been carrying one for a year or two. As I follow The V and only ride well maintained bicycles, I get very, very few flats. If I'm solo in warm weather I'll save the C02 and use my pump.
Amusing cyclo tale: the first time I ever flatted in a group ride was this past summer. I put up my arm, let the group fish school around me and moved right. They all stopped, which freaked me out. Sweaty, twitching, with shaking hands from riding so hard, I had to replace my tube at 25 amped up folks watched on, all wanting to lend advice. One guy, the group know-it-all helped me out and was cool about it. As I began to pump he told me it was best to carry a C02 to group rides. I always do, but the week before I'd dropped my C02 chuck out of my saddle bag when I left it unzipped on the ride home from the same ride. (Was this a sign to get off of the saddle bag train?). Damn.
I inflated with my Lezyne frame pump and the guy commented that it was the fastest tube swap and inflation he'd seen. Nice! Praise from the local ride boss.
I no longer use a saddle bag. I like the sounds of this Lezyne chuck. And there is really nothing finer than a well-made tool. Cycling has really made me appreciate fine tools that work, which are light and well machined, and which never fail.
@michael,
That is fuckin' awesome. ONE flat in a year? You must live The V! Well maintained bicycles, watch your line, clean your tires of road debris after riding.
Nice going. That really is a remarkable accomplishment.
I'd have to look, but I think I had 5-7 punctures last year. Around three though were in one stretch with a dodgy tire/tube combination.