Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your time.

I'm planning a one week visit to Zurich in January and wanted to take advantage of the free bikes provided by ZVV to see the city from morning to evenings.

My question is since I'm traveling lite and don't have any tools with me, what will happen if I get a flat tire?

Should I bring with me tire levers and a tube repair kit but without a pump? Hoping someone can lend me a pump? or I might find air easily in any gas stations?

Any advise highly appreciated.

Regards.

Not heard about this (cos I'm not Zurich-based) but it seems that these are not actually provided by ZVV, which made the search more difficult, but I got there in the end.

So in the first place I'd say that your chances of a puncture are minimal, so no, I wouldn't bother. But looking at some of the pictures https://s3.amazonaws.com/crowdriff-m...66f12fb555.jpg it seems they are fitted with one of the the Schwalbe city tyre range, which are kevlar-protected and therefore puncture proof, so the chances gp from minimal to non-existent.

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Forgive me Ace for not providing the link, and thank you for the fast and reassuring reply.

I've got Schwalbe tires on my own bikes and am firm believer in them, but I'm used to VERY shoddy and crap bikes when hiring them, especially if they are free, so never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that they would be equipped with such tires. Here's to Switzerland.

No worries than

There are some pumps distributed around the city: https://www.maps.stadt-zuerich.ch/zu...ate=&drawings=

Additionally, as you say, you can pump up at most gas stations free of charge. I do not know if the ZüriRollt bikes have Schrader, Presta, or Dunlop vales. If it is not Schrader you will need an adapter.

I wouldn't bother bringing any tools. If you have a problem with the Zürirollt bike then you just take it back to them and get another one.
Zürich is pretty small. With 5 depot around the city you're probably never more than 15-20min away from a depot via public transit.

At this time of year and also in January only the location at Zürich HB/Europaplatz is open for service and rental https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/aoz/de/...loverleih.html

Ups, I completely missed that. For some reason I presumed that they were talking about summertime (when the livin is easy).

Thank you again gentleman for all the help and suggestions. I'm feeling a lot more secure in the knowledge now

Welcome to Switzerland where 1st world problems can sometimes annoy.

I suppose I can just use the public transport system to bring the bike back to zvv?

Also does anyone know if they will let tourists hire the bikes without any ID?
I only have my passport which will probably be in the hotel safe. Or do I need to bring my passport every time with me?

No ID means no bike.

Drop them an email (info@zuerirollt.ch) Their flyer is published in English, presumably you won't be the first to have asked.

Thanks Jag, will do

You need to buy a ticket for your bike, too.
And you can't transport the bike during rush-hour.

Also, I dare say, January could actually bring some snow.

It's not fun riding a bike with negative Celsius temperatures.
Or with sleet.

Do you have gloves?

Sometimes, it gets quite warm in January. But sometimes, it also gets very cold (-10°C).

Thanks rainer_d, all valid points. Warm gloves and long johns added to the checklist

It's not likely to encounter a flat tire, unless someone sticks a knife through it.

The bikes are well maintained. At least, I have not read any negative reports about it.

I've only used the service once (in the Summer) and I had nothing to complain.

The bikes are OK for riding around a bit in the city.

Stay away from other rental bikes like the O-Bikes etc. They are often in a horrible state.

http://www.20min.ch/finance/news/sto...Flop--21245755