For three months a poll was available on this web site for people to answer questions about broken gear during a bicycle touring adventure. 186 people responded with the answers that follow.
This survey is focused on bicycle touring related equipment failures that occured during a tour. Please respond to the questions with your bicycle touring experience in mind.
Have you experienced a flat tire during a bicycle touring adventure?
Yes - 89.2% (166)
No - 10.8% (20)
A blown tire is usually defined as a time when the tire blew completely of the rim often damaging the tire completely in the process so that it is unrideable. Have you experienced a blown tire?
Yes - 20.4% (38)
No - 79.6% (148)
Have you broken a spoke?
Yes - 57.5% (107)
No - 42.5% (79)
Have you ever broken your chain unintentionally while touring?
Yes - 18.3% (34)
No - 81.7% (152)
Without handlebars it becomes quite difficult to steer. Have you broken your handlebars while touring?
Yes - 1.1% (2)
No - 98.9% (184)
Brakes are a critical component especially when it comes time to stop or slow down on a long downhill. Have you experienced a time where your brakes failed completely?
Yes - 10.2% (19)
No - 89.8% (167)
Front and rear racks are critical for keeping your gear on your bike. A broken rack can be a big problem. Have you experienced this first hand? If you don't use racks then please select "Not Applicable".
Yes - 18.8% (35)
No - 74.7% (139)
Not applicable - 6.5% (12)
Trailers can also be used to carry gear. Have you experienced problems with the trailer itself? Please don't include flat tires or spoke problems since these are covered by other questions. If you don't use a trailer then please select "Not Applicable".
Yes - 4.8% (9)
No - 19.9% (37)
Not applicable - 75.3% (140)
Lights allow you to ride early in the morning or late at night while being able to see where you are going. Have you experienced problems with front or rear lights while touring? Select "Not Applicable" if you don't use lights.
Yes - 21.0% (39)
No - 48.4% (90)
Not applicable - 30.6% (57)
Fenders can be useful for keeping mud and water off the bike. Have you experienced problems with fenders during a tour? Select "Not Applicable" if you don't use fenders.
Yes - 19.9% (37)
No - 53.2% (99)
Not applicable - 26.9% (50)
Derailleurs are very fragile and can be easily broken or bent especially if a fully loaded bicycle falls over with weight being applied to the derailleur in the process. Have you experienced problems with your derailleur? Select "Not Applicable" if you use a bike with no derailleur.
Yes - 30.6% (57)
No - 68.8% (128)
Not applicable - 0.5% (1)
Cables are important for both brakes and shifters. Have you experienced a cable failure while touring?
Yes - 24.2% (45)
No - 75.8% (141)
Shifter problems can make changing gears tricky. Have you had problems due to a faulty or broken shifter? Select "Not Applicable" if you don't use gears.
Yes - 29.6% (55)
No - 70.4% (131)
Not Applicable - 0.0%(0)
A lot of discussion on various mailing lists and web forums seems to be about the possibility of breaking a frame while touring. Have you experienced this problem yourself during a tour?
Yes - 4.3% (8)
No - 95.7% (178)
Have you ever experienced a need to replace a saddle during a tour due to broken rails or something similar NOT caused by a wipeout?
Yes - 8.1% (15)
No - 91.9% (171)
Have you broken your seat post?
Yes - 5.9% (11)
No - 94.1% (175)
Pedals are a critical component that help you to keep moving. Have you experienced a broken pedal while touring?
Yes - 17.7% (33)
No - 82.3% (153)
Water bottle cages can carry water, fuel tanks and repair tools. Have you had one break during a bicycle tour?
Yes - 14.0% (26)
No - 86.0% (160)
Have you experienced a problem with your saddle or handlebar bags? This could include a broken zipper, faulty attachment mechanism, ripped bags or other problems that leave the bags in a less desirable state. Select "Not Applicable" if you don't use bags.
Yes - 29.0% (54)
No - 65.6% (122)
Not Applicable - 5.4% (10)
Rear view mirrors mounted on your bike can assist with seeing what is behind you. Have you experienced a broken mirror caused by something other then a wipeout during a tour? Answer "Not Applicable" if you don't use a mirror.
Yes - 21.5% (40)
No - 36.6% (68)
Not Applicable - 41.9% (78)
What repair gear do you carry with you during a bicycle tour? Place a check in the boxes of all items that you carry.
Spare tube(s) - 96.2% (179)
Spare tire(s) - 45.7% (85)
Standard spokes - 54.8% (102)
Fiberspoke(s) - 24.2% (45)
Tire patch kit(2) - 94.1% (175)
Tire levers - 94.6% (176)
Rear cassette or freewheel remover - 37.6% (70)
Spare pedals - 2.2% (4)
Chain tool - 85.5% (159)
Duct tape - 69.9% (130)
Nylon Zip ties - 71.5% (133)
Spare Chain - 10.8% (20)
Spare nuts and bolts - 58.1% (108)
Allen key(s) - 87.6% (163)
Wrench(es) - 75.3% (140)
Spare cables - 47.8% (89)
Spare shifters - 2.7% (5)
Spare brake pads - 32.8% (61)
Spare saddlebag/handlebar bag attachment hardware - 5.9% (11)
Spare batteries for your lights - 45.7% (85)
Grease gun or similar device - 12.4% (23)
Chain cleaner - 17.7% (33)
Mini-tool(s) - 82.8% (154)
Screwdriver(s) - 65.1% (121)
Reviewing the responses that came in was very interesting for me and hopefully you too will find some of the results of this survey eye opening especially when you compare reported problems to the actual repair equipment that people actual take with them while touring.
I also recognize that some of my questions could have been worded better. There appears to be a bit of an art to wording the questions so as each poll appears I will hopefully improve my abilities.
Some of the results will likely spawn follow-up polls so keep watching as time passes.
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