Hello everyone,

my name is Vandal Novacek and I have a few questions to ask fellow bikers. In a perfect world you can wake up, get on your bike, and shred right out side your front door. But this is not a perfect world and there are many things you have to do before you can ride; and some things you can ride without. There is not one person who rides without a helmet, right? Well, there is a couple other things I would never feel right without like an extra tube and inflation device. Its basic mountain bike survival. Without a tube and something to inflate it with you are screwed with your tire goes. When you are miles into a trail or worse yet on a race where every point counts for the championship and your get a puncture you better have a backup to at least finish the race or get to your ride home before nightfall. 

Well my questions are,

1. How many of you do not ride without a tube and a pump or CO2 inflator?

2. When was the last time did you have to replace or insert a tube on the trail?

3. How do you store your tube and inflator? In your Camelbak/small bike bag under
    seat/ziptied/jersey pocket/etc?

4. If you use a CO2 inflator, when buying replacement tube and CO2 cartridge do you wish
    they were packaged together, conveniently?

This is for a design project that I am doing for a graphic design class.

I appreciate the help everyone!

Now here is an Infographic timeline that I designed for one of my classes. Fell free to leave comments and feedback! 


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I do not ride with an extra tube or inflation device.

Never. 

I don't carry such items.

Maybe. Extra packaging adds weight.

For guys that ride the remote stuff in the mountains these items are important. For most folks riding local trails and that buy quality tires and service their bikes regularly, IMO it's just dead weight.

Depends on Mileage and conditions?

Beatty....6.7miles....never 1/4 mile from your car.....don't even carry water (love me some Beatty...thanks trail team).

USNWC.....Water

Pisgah.......Water, Extra Water, Lights, Food, GPS, Tool Pack to include pump, attitude adjustment, Map, Cell Phone, extra batteries, forced water filter, flares, bear repellant, bug spray, lighter for the attitude adjustment, horse poop scooper....well you get the idea.

Old Time mountain biker guy told me...."perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing more to take away."

He Stole that quote from some Frenchie Pilot but he is a legit frame builder and the Godfather of the 29R.

I'd paint your picture with a guy (or girl) flying down the trail with no kit or pack....just an old T shirt, Helmet, shorts and shoes!!!!!

Thanks for the replies! 

Now, I am pressed for time so I will go ahead ask my second set of Q's.

Many of us ride tubeless, as I do, and no longer feel the need to carry 'dead weight' (extra tube, inflator, etc) when riding local, small area trails.

So, lets get in the mind-set of someone getting ready to go to Pisgah, Dupont, FATS, Tsali, or traveled to Utah for a ride down Porcupine.

5. How many of you would want to take an extra tube and inflator, but do not like the idea of extra weight, do you consider not carrying an extra tube or inflator?

6. Would you prefer zip tying said objects to your bike? or carry a small bag on your bike?

7. If you had the option to buy an all-in-one package of tube, inflator, and a way to attach it onto your bike (like a bag) rather than buying it all separately, would you? Imagine you don't have these things or you forget it at home and had to go to a store. 

Again Thanks for the help. This isn't for a new product or anything this is for a Package design assignment.

For the package deal of stuff- most shops already do this. Used to sell them when I was a shop rat but it wasn't something that was a big seller. I think the road market would be better suited for this idea. 

I don't carry any repair stuff anymore.  Only would on a long ride (all day) with a camel back. 

To your idea on the tube packaged with a CO2 inflator, I don't see it given the variety of tubes and inflator types. 

On a side note- I'm not overly concerned with weight. I really like the specialized cubby idea. I really don't like seat bags on a mtb. Seen way too many come unzipped/have issues.