Cycle roadside recovery

[Surreycyclist329]

Hi I am a now cycling regularly again after many years away and would like a roadside recovery back up in case of issues on a ride. Can anyone steer me in the right direction. What is out there and what do I get for my money, what could be missed out on being done, any advice is really welcome thanks

 

[Milkfloat]

Hi I am a now cycling regularly again after many years away and would like a roadside recovery back up in case of issues on a ride. Can anyone steer me in the right direction. What is out there and what do I get for my money, what could be missed out on being done, any advice is really welcome thanks

I think there are a number of providers at about £20 a year. I don't think any of them fix your bike at the side of the road, it is more a case of paying for a taxi to get you to a bike shop. Personally I will take the risk and pay for my own taxi or walk.

 

[vickster]

ETA will get you a taxi home, to a station or a bike shop for £18 a year (also for punctures). Don't think any companies will fix you at the roadside a la AA as above

I signed up for ETA just because it was so cheap, hope not to need it though. I try to carry a tube, pump, levers nowadays just in case. Anything more serious like a broken chain, I'd need a pick up

Best learn to replace a tube/fix a puncture in the comfort of your own home I did my first roadside tube change on Saturday for a ride buddy, under the watchful eye of @jefmcg

 

[Mobytek]

find yourself a good local mobile mechanic - if you get on with them and become a good customer, anything is possible (for a price).

Initially getting a expanding foam / recharge tin in your bag will sort the most common problem, and a well maintained bike houldnt let you down on a commute.

Unlike a motorbike / car, yo could still continue on yours with a flat, and there's less to go wrong. You can still freewheel downhill even without a chain!

 

[Tim Hall]

find yourself a good local mobile mechanic - if you get on with them and become a good customer, anything is possible (for a price).

Initially getting a expanding foam / recharge tin in your bag will sort the most common problem, and a well maintained bike houldnt let you down on a commute.

Unlike a motorbike / car, yo could still continue on yours with a flat, and there's less to go wrong. You can still freewheel downhill even without a chain!

What is "expanding foam/ recharge tin"?

 

[ColinJ]

My advice is to learn how to do your own small repairs, and be confident in your ability to cope!

I think it is very rare for the owner of a well-maintained bike to need to be rescued due to mechanical problems.

On the very rare occasion that you can't sort the bike out, there are always taxis and trains to get you home.

I have only needed to abandon rides 5 times in 26 years, and I still managed to get home unaided ...

• Badly buckled wheel due to broken spokes: I did a bodge repair to get to a station, and caught a train back
• Broken seatpost: I put my saddle in my back pocket, and rode home standing up!
• Snapped crank: I rode home using one leg!
• Broken handlebar stem: I walked my bike back because I was close to home, otherwise it would have been train/taxi
• Broken rear derailleur: I took it off and then used my bike as a scooter to scoot home on

 

[howard2107]

I like Colin's advice above. Carry a spare tube, and learn how to change it, then do the puncture when you get home. I would personally avoid expanding foam, if it gets on anything that it isn't meant to do, such as your best expensive clothing, you will never get it off, and it takes days to get off your hands. Expanding foam was developed for the construction industry, it is an excellent product and it has many uses, but it should stay there.

 

[Mobytek]

What is "expanding foam/ recharge tin"?

one of these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/zefal/sealant-spray-ec019743

 

[zacklaws]

After having a pair of bars snap on me in the middle of nowhere once, Spurn Point, 40+ miles from home, I decided I needed a form of recovery as majority of time I am on my own and partner cannot drive to recover me and eventually choose ETA, as mentioned £18 a year is piece of mind. Initially I was with cycle rescue through British cycling who I would avoid like the plague, they offer nothing more than ETA, but require all your bikes registering with them and to also pay £9 a bike on top of membership. I think my annual fee was just under £50 per annum.

To date I have ever needed them, as I always have managed to fix or bodge me a get me home repair....but one day I might.

 

[Citius]

Hi I am a now cycling regularly again after many years away and would like a roadside recovery back up in case of issues on a ride. Can anyone steer me in the right direction. What is out there and what do I get for my money, what could be missed out on being done, any advice is really welcome thanks

My own point of view - for what it's worth: I've been riding since about 1990 and in all that time, I have never been in a situation where I couldn't get home. Bikes are very simple objects - learn to use a few basic tools is all you need. If you really are stuck - like if your frame breaks, or if a wheel collapses (I've never ever seen this happen), then bring your phone with you and just call a cab.

 

[vickster]

Learning to use the tools is one thing, having them with you is another. These days if venturing outside my little 15 mile loop which passes numerous stations I take a pump, tube, tyre levers and a multitool. I also take cash, a bank card, Oyster card and at least one coffee shop loyalty card . The eta number is in my phone

Crashing a bike, being injured and unable to ride (but not needing hospital treatment) is another scenario to consider

 

[Tynan]

I exploded the front rim once but that was my fault for leaving it so long, otherwise I can't remember an instance where I couldn't have at least limped on, the odd flat in pouring rain and cold, even then I should have have had a tube ready or had the tyre/wheel in better order

 

[jefmcg]

I heard of an audaxer who had to abandon a ride and a was a member of one of these services. His bike was fine, but he didn't have the energy to cycle to the station, so he used a chain breaker to remove his chain, then called for a rescue

 

[LocalLad]

I was contemplating that this might be a missed business opportunity just this morning given the current prevalence of cycling.

Sounds like ETA and others have beaten me though...

I also realised that I was cycling 30 miles through the middle of nowhere today and, whilst I have a multitool, co2 and a couple of tubes, I have no idea how to use them....this weekend, I'll be taking the tubes in and out of my old bike for practice

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Despite servicing our fleet of bikes for years I have now taken ETA cover our as well. One point for those considering them which had been confirmed by then, is that their support is roads only. So old railways that have been converted and other such cycle paths, bridleways etc are not covered. You would have to get yourself to a road for their assistance. Something my old commute lacked!

I have taken it up now for obvious reasons for those who know me. A back injury means I can't even change a flat and even inflating a tyre is beyond me currently. I did recently have a breakdown which meant I had several hours of cycling to get 4km to home after a great cable broke on my Rohloff great changer leaving me in 2nd gear. Had it have broken in 13th I would not have been able to get the trike home because I want carrying an 8mm spanner with me! 2nd just left me spinning out at about 2mph but I could at least get the trike up the 7-10% hill I had to climb to get home. I'm now covered should I ever manage to break another cable. I as also currently carry 8mm spanner as well