Please forgive my ignorance, but I'm new to tube tires and wheels. When riding off-road, what do you carry in the way of spare tubes and tire tools? Thanks! Robb

I carry a spare front tube, spoons, and tools necessary to get the wheels off. The front tube will work in the rear long enough to get back. I have a patch kit with a couple CO2 cartridges and a compact bicycle pump. *knock on wood* I've not had to use them. Changing it trailside would be a PITA but it's doable.

One guy in a group I was riding with had a rear flat and no one had the right size wrench for his axle so he rode out very slowly on the flat. It ruined the tire and almost spit him off a time or two, but he made it out. We could have gotten a vehicle and driven in to where we were (on FS roads) but he chose to ride it out.

Thank you!

I always used the heavy duty motocross tubes which don't pinch flat as easily. Nails and screws are another story. If you break a rear spoke, plan on that puncturing the tube. It drives the spoke nipple into the rim. I wrapped tape around the spoke crossings then zip tied them. This holds the spokes within the pattern and prevents a puncture.


Not the best photo but shows the tape on spoke crossings.

The outside spokes on the sprocket side usually break first. A non issue if you're not pushing the bike. I've ridden out on rear flats a number of times on a Kenda K-760 Trakmaster II tire. It has a stiff enough side wall that it can support the bike. That plus a bead lock and going easy you can limp your way out. I've also ridden out on front flats which doesn't work too well. The front tire is almost as easy to change as a mountain bike tire. Once you get the wheel off.

Another issue I've had with tubes is them leaking at the valve stem. Also loose valve inserts. Check your new tubes. I hated changing rear tires and it's a HUGE PITA!! That in a shop with work bench, bike support, bead lube and a warm tire. A good quality bicycle pump works well. You only need 10-15 PSI in the rear to ride on the trails. Good luck and I hope you avoid a trail side flat fix. Some riders are really good at this. I was never one of them.