First Puncture, well 2!

[RyanW]

Hey,

So today i had my first ever puncture! (Shows how much i cycle) Going down a back road and ride went all funny! Thought it was the road till i got off and realised by back tyre looked rather limp.

So i pushed it to a mates (And using a spoon as i had forgotten my tyre levers) got the tube out, to my horror i had 2 quite big holes in the tube, patched em up with my repair kit and now all is good.

My question is: Will the tube still be okay, or should i replace it? I dont want to replace it if there is no need (And it will mean ordering another one) The holes have been well covered in glue and 2 large patches (All that was in my kit) Have stayed up for 3 mile cycle home.

Sorry for the newbie question,

Ryan

 

[ttcycle]

Hi Ryan

that's really unlucky - two at a time!!
Did you check the outer and inner parts of the tyre for any evidence of shrapnel that might have punctured your tyre as if it's still in there it might cause problems later on but that is pointing out the bleeding obvious!!

glue and patches tend to be quite reliable but I prefer to replace the whole tube ultimately but I do know of people who have ridden for a while with patched holes in their tubes.

 

[ttcycle]

welcome btw!

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I've got lots of spare tubes - you can pick them up quite cheaply - and always carry one with me on the bike, plus a repair kit. If I puncture on the way to work, I replace the tube and sort the repair out at home at the weekend. By having lots of spares, I can just pick up another one and chuck it in my frame-bag which has all my tools and what not in it.

Last Winter, when I was puncturing regularly, I did once have three tubes on the "awaiting repair" hanger in the garage. I've now got some tubes with multiple repairs on them.

Edit: though I should say I tend to use those as spares, and keep the new(er) ones on the bike as far as possible. Plus I commute on an MTB shod either with knobblies or 1.5" slicks, so I'm only at 60-80psi at max depending on what tyres I'm using.

Every now and then, I pension one off when it looks like it's had it. Then I chop it up and use it as spare peg loops for one of our tents, or for fixing torches to bars or whatever else really.

Edit 2: Welcome!!

 

[RyanW]

Ah thanks for that, I just got a new inner tube from my LBS, Will put that in and keep the repaired on in my bag in case it happens again, I didn't look for anything in the tyre and i think it burst, (I hit a pot hole) Rather then a "Puncture"

Thanks guys and thanks for the welcome!

 

[Virtual DBP]

snap.

this morning, got over the bridge and was heading towards kirkliston and rear puncture. managed to change it (after about 20mins) with my spare and about 3 miles further down the road the spare is flat and won't take anymore air.

finally got to a bicycle shop to get it fixed... i missed to meetings, used my lunch money in buying a new inner tube (didn't carry my wallet with me)...

so all in all it was a rubbish start to a rubbish day!

never mind, i'm sitting now with pizza and beer and feel much better

 

[jasonmccullum]

i am also new to cycling.. and i have not had a punture yet....what is the best why to replace one by the road. with the high pressure in the tyres are they not a beast to get the tyre off??

sorry for my ignorance

 

[potsy]

i am also new to cycling.. and i have not had a punture yet....what is the best why to replace one by the road. with the high pressure in the tyres are they not a beast to get the tyre off??

sorry for my ignorance

Once you've punctured you may find that there's not a lot of pressure left in the tyre

 

[RyanW]

Once you've punctured you may find that there's not a lot of pressure left in the tyre

Thats very true!

Best thing to do (As i learnt) Is to carry a spare inner tube, Some tyre levers and a small pump. Fiddling around with a repair kit at the side of a road isn't all that fun, practice changing the inner tube at home (Guides all over this site and the internet) Don't worry about tyre pressure too much once replaced, most you will have to travel is to your LBS or Home where you can spend time sorting it.

 

[RyanW]

Oh, make sure your wheel is back on the bike before reinflating the tube, Unless you have the leavers to widen the break V's to allow you to put it back in.

You may also need a spanner if you don't have quick release wheels

 

[Tynan]

patch, stick it back in and carry on, easy

save the new tube those times when you really don't want to patch or wreck the tube

I'm a bit lazy these days but I once had a rear with 13 odd patches