this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2024
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Bike Commuting
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Genuine question but why do you need one? I've cycle commuted for around 10 years now and have never needed to carry a pump on me.
Some people (myself included) like having a pump in addition to a couple CO2 carts just to be prepared
But why carry excess weight and lose valuable bag space everyday taking unnecessary things with you. If you are commuting by bike then you need your bike to be reliable which means you should invest in good tyres.
If you are getting punctures then you either need to get an armoured tyre if you are using tubes (I've used specialised crossroads and marathon plus) or invest in a proper tubeless setup.
I just don't really understand why you'd carry a load of crap you don't need for the sake of being "prepared" rather than investing in the mode of transport you rely on to get you to work every single day. No one wants to be trying to fix a puncture in the pouring rain knowing you still have to also work a full shift for the sake of not just investing a small amount of money into tour setup.
I haven't had one puncture in all my years of commuting which I put down to being prepared in terms of getting the right gear for the job in the first place. Regular maintanance and cleaning to keep your bike running well is all you need, the only tool I've ever carried is a small multi tool and I've not once used that even.
My pump doesnt go in my bag it's strapped to my frame. When im commuting im carrying lunch, and a change of clothes. What is a few extra ounces fit piece of mind?
I like commuting on lightweight tires and standard butyl tubes because the lowered rotational weight is much more noticeable than the static weight of an extra co2 cartridge, tube and pump. I commute on the same road bike I use for fun.
Airing up my bike before i leave in the morning and not riding in the gutter means I'm not putting my tires where all the thorns and road debris is located.
Im not gram conscious. And i think it's a little ironic that you are considering how heavy you've made your wheels in the name of flat protection.
Armoured for an electric bike I've had in the past where it didn't make that much difference, tubeless otherwise. It isn't so much the weight it is the carry extra crap.
I commute on the same bike I use for training / fun, what's your point. Like you say as long as you are conscious of where you are riding I just don't see the necessity of carrying even more parafinalia around with you.
A good tubeless set up means minimal rotational weight and not having to stop at all and fight with tyres and tubes and pumps and all that shit. It just all seems illogical to me.
If you define useful tools as "crap" then i can see why it's illogical too you.
I do not define tools as useless "paraphernalia." I carry enough things with me to get my bike back on the and me to my destination without having to rely on anyone else. If i flat 3 tires on my hour long bike commute, but ive only got 2 CO2 carts, then that pump is going to get me home.
(Y)
I'm glad your experience has been idyllic, but oftentimes things happen to people. Not unreasonable to carry an item the size of a banana to get out of a jam. Something I have used 4 times over the last 4 years riding in an urban setting. Really saved my butt out riding with my kid. Why sound so shitty on people? Different people experience different things.
I'm not sounding shitty, I'm trying to understand why people would want to fight with pumps and tubes and all that shit by the side of the road rather than preparing themselves not to have that situation.
Riding with your kid isn't cycle commuting and is a different case entirely so isn't really relevant for the conversation.
You don't sound shitty to your own eyes, but I'd wager others take it different. It reads as dismissive and combative.
People do it because no outcome is a lock; you can prepare all you want but you may get a flat.
And see? You dismissed me out of hand. Be kind. You don't even know what kind of riding I'm doing, how long, where, or with what kind of child seat. I ride a lot in places that one could be commuting, to many different businesses/parks. The technical difference in my purpose makes little difference in how my bike physically interacts with roads/sidewalks.
Be cool man, if bikers in a bike forum can't at least be chill we have NO chance against the cars.
I've helped a five or six folk over two decades who have thought the same as you. Donated a tube and used my pump to infate and get them on their way.
That said if it's worked for 10 years why bother now? The only point to make is if it does happen that you get a flat, what will you do? Ring your partnter and get a lift, or use an Uber (?) fair enough. Walk with the bike for 20k in the dark to get home ? Maybe an idea to have a spare and a pump?
I've helped out several people with flats, and had a flat away from home which required a pump (obviously). Even came in handy when I punctured a tubeless tire on my escooter.
That was all within three years. For something that weighs less than a bottle of water, but can provide a ton of benefit, seems like an easy choice.
I carry a spare tube, so I need a way to inflate it.
I have had rides ruined because of a friend not carrying a spare tube or a way to inflate it.