Cycling

Bicycle Pumps and Puncture Kits: What to Carry on Every Ride in India

Flat on the road? The pump, tube, levers and patch kit to carry on every ride in India, with ₹ prices from ₹130.

Instasport

— 2 min read
Lezyne Pocket Drive HV high volume bicycle pump for puncture repair

Bicycle pump and puncture kit: the five things to carry on every ride

Punctures are a fact of cycling in India, thanks to thorns, glass and broken roads. A small kit turns a ruined ride into a ten-minute stop. InstaSport lists everything you need, from a Park Tool Super Patch Kit at ₹225 to a compact pump like the Lezyne Pocket Drive HV at ₹2,875.

1. A pump or inflator

A mini-pump such as the Lezyne Pocket Drive HV (₹2,875) is reliable and needs no cartridges. A CO2 inflator like the Birzman E-Grip Turn set (₹1,750) is faster but each cartridge is single-use, so carry a pump as a back-up on longer rides. At home, a floor pump like the Panaracer mini floor pump (₹5,300) makes checking pressure easy.

2. A spare tube in the right size

Check the tyre size and valve type printed on your tyre's sidewall. Road bikes usually use Presta valves, for example the Vittoria Presta tube 700x28/42c at ₹700. Many mountain and hybrid bikes use Schrader valves, such as the Ortem 29-inch butyl tube at ₹422. Swapping a tube is faster than patching by the road.

3. Tyre levers

Nylon levers like the Sumart tyre lever at ₹225 help get the tyre off the rim without damaging the tube. Carry two or three.

4. A patch kit

The Park Tool Super Patch Kit at ₹225 lets you repair a second flat when you have used your spare tube. Glueless patches also exist, so check listings.

5. A multi-tool

A basic Allen key and multi-spanner toolkit at ₹150 helps tighten bolts, adjust the saddle and fix small issues.

Fixing a flat: the quick method

  • Remove the wheel and one side of the tyre using levers.
  • Pull out the tube and check the tyre inside for thorns or glass.
  • Put a slightly inflated spare tube in, seat the tyre and inflate.
  • Refit the wheel and check pressure again. Take the old tube home to patch.

Tubeless riders

If you ride tubeless, carry a repair kit made for tubeless tyres, such as the Weldtite road tubeless repair kit, plus a spare tube as a fallback.

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Frequently asked questions

What should I carry on every bike ride?

A pump or inflator, a spare tube, tyre levers, a patch kit and a basic multi-tool.

Presta or Schrader: which valve do I have?

Presta valves are thin with a small lock nut, while Schrader valves look like car tyre valves. Check your tyre or tube.

Is a CO2 inflator better than a pump?

CO2 is faster but single-use. Many riders carry both, using a pump as back-up.

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