Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking

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For all the pedal pushers out there that love long distance cycling. There are no gear requirements and no 'minimum distances' here.

Have you ridden for a cheeky overnighter or a 3 year global trek? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got panniers, bikepacking bags or just a backpack with the essentials? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got the latest in carbon engineering or your dads old 10 speed from the 70's? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

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Roadside assistance services? (startrek.website)

submitted 1 month ago by charonn0@startrek.website to c/bicycle_touring@lemmy.world

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I don't like fixing my own flat tires. I can do it but not quickly or efficiently; it's not something I can do on the side of the road under duress. I should probably work on that, I know, but in the meantime I take my bike to a local shop and have them do it for me.

But my ebike is pretty heavy, which means a flat tire is basically immobilizing. I've had to call a friend or hire a truck when I get a flat. I'm wondering if there's anything like an auto club for cyclists. Maybe even a service that would fix my flat right there on the spot.

I googled, but don't trust the search results. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?

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[–] robocall@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Sounds like a regional niche thing.

I am capable of calling someone to pick me up, walk my bicycle to a nearby bike shop or walk it to work/home depending on where the flat occurs. The service you seek sounds like a good idea, but realistically, I think it would be faster for me to troubleshoot a solution myself. I live in an urban city with a cycling/commuter community, and don't think this kind of service is available in my area. it's possible it exists in NYC, European cities, or somewhere. But probably wiser to practice learning how to make your own repairs unfortunately.

I bought tires that have a tube within the tire ( I forgot what they are called) but perhaps speaking to your bike shop about getting different tires to prevent puncture is more realistic.

I have rode over glass and most of the time it didn't puncture with my tires. Only a couple times and I just had to replace the tube inside. I got a staple in the tire once and that punctured the inner air tube.

My friend has had fellow cyclists pull over to offer them help, but I was not so lucky.

[–] markstos@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

You didn’t mention which country you are in.

In the United States there is Better World Club.

https://www.betterworldclub.net/bicycle-roadside-assistance

I have never tested it. Logically, they don’t have a specially trained set of bike mechanics standing by 24/7 across the country. Their page is pretty clear they don’t fix flat tires. Rather, it’s probably a tow truck service willing to pick up you and your bike.

Since you have a heavy bike, I would first priority puncture-resistant tires, possibly also with the self-healing goo inside.

For wheels that are pain to fully remove, there is the patch-in-place method where you expose the tube, find and patch the hole and and reseat the tire, all without removing the wheel.

With practice and preparedness, you can get a flat repair time down to 15 minutes, while practically every other option will cost more time.