Flat after first ride

[dst87]

So Halfords called the morning to say that my reservation couldn't be fulfilled because they didn't have the tubes.

I walked up to the LBS instead who were... fine? Bought three tubes (700x35/50C 35/50-622/630 - that's what he said I needed) and after much struggling I managed to get the tube in. The valve is much shorter on this one which makes inflation tricky, but maybe I just need to get used to it.

I suggested I might want to come back for a rack, mudguards, and new tyres as suggested by several people. He seemed more keen to get me out of the door and he said I didn't need new tyres as the ones I have are fine. Oh well!

Hopefully my fix was successful and I don't blow up on my next ride!!

 

[MiK1138]

That was just the Puncture Fairy welcoming you to cycling, as everyone said a spare tube in your bag when your out, a pair of tyre levers and an pump, hopefully you'll never need them but better to have them than walk home

 

[Saluki]

Some tyres are tougher than others, but even so you'll get the odd puncture.

You can obtain tubes filled with a liquid latex sealant (slime tubes), I use these on my riding-to-work bike- problem is I don't have enough data to know whether they work (I haven't had any punctures but I might've hit a lucky patch!)

Well, you have now put the kiss of death on your 'lucky patch' having typed that out loud

 

[Saluki]

I have longer valves on all my spare tubes. Makes for easier inflation plus, my track pump doesn't like the shorties.
I always carry a spare tube, sometimes 2 if we are both out. We have CO2 canisters too (we have got very very lazy in our dotage), as well as pumps, insti-stick patches etc. We also have a couple of jelly babies to help us get over the trauma of a tyre change. Jelly babies are good for shock (any excuse).

 

[dst87]

Aaaaaand... now I want Jelly Babies!!!

Yeah the short valve is a real pain, and I find it difficult to get a decent reading of pressure on the track pump as the needle keeps falling when the contact is lost with the valve (despite it being locked in place). Nightmare! I've made it as hard as I can and crossing my fingers!!

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I think you have my punctures then. No punctures on this one yet, and last time, nearly a year with no punctures either.

Though, I do have a feeling I should not have said that!

 

[Pale Rider]

Look out for tubes with a threaded valve and screw on collar next time.

They are easier to inflate because the collar locks the valve in place, making it impossible to push it back into the rim when attaching the pump.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Fixing your first puncture is a real cycling rite of passage - well done for tackling it so quickly and (at least sound like it was) fuss-free!

Puncture resistant tyres are definitely a worthwhile investment in the long term, but I would keep what you have until they wear out for now, as others have suggested.

 

[dst87]

Look out for tubes with a threaded valve and screw on collar next time.

They are easier to inflate because the collar locks the valve in place, making it impossible to push it back into the rim when attaching the pump.

Thing is, I do have the lock-in collar. I think the mistake I was making was screwing that in before seating the tyre in place. I could get the tyre back into the rim everywhere except where the valve was as there wasn't enough space to get the tyre rim (bead?) between the wheel and the tube. I figured out that you need to put the tube with the valve in the tyre, then put the whole thing into the wheel. I was confused because when I took the tyre off, it came away easily without my having to unscrew the valve.

Should be MUCH easier next time!! Definitely going to look out for tubes with longer valves though - I don't like these ones at all! (Panasonic)

 

[screenman]

When you had that wheel in your hand it would have been a good idea to take off and put the tyre back on 10 times.

 

[mjr]

Thing is, I do have the lock-in collar. I think the mistake I was making was screwing that in before seating the tyre in place.

Yep. I've done that and it resulted in the tube slowly pushing the bead of the tyre off of the rim... I couldn't work out what was happening at first and thought I'd either punctured again or buckled the wheel. Now I put the tyre on and inflate it a bit (with a screw-on pump so it doesn't push the valve back into the rim like my floor pump does) before putting the valve collar on.

 

[dst87]

That seems to me a positive thing, not selling you something you don't really need.

There's a balance though. The tyres thing is fair enough, but it was a very quick interaction without much interest shown. It's not like he was rushed off his feet!!

 

[Cadire]

After reading this, I realised that I didn't actually know how to take my back wheel off!

I do now though, so I might even be able to repair the inevitable first puncture

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Not unless you want to change brands. All tyres get little holes in them.

My front gatorskin hasn't in nearly two years, and the rear I got at the same time only did because I hit a stone pretty hard (it bent the rim of the wheel) and the track to the house is full of cinder bits of metal ( back street garage next door) glass you name it. mileage nearly 12,000 miles the new rear 5,000 miles in the last 11 months with no issue. What else can I say.

 

[Profpointy]

No reason to change tyres unless there some other reason you've not mentioned - eg they're nobbly ones and you are mainly riding on roads or tow-paths - or conversely you've smooth tyres and you mainly ride on mountain ravines.

One caveat - do feel around inside the tyre and if there's a lumpy bit where the puncture was, might be a problem.

Get a couple of spare inner tubes (in the correct size), some tyre levers and a puncture repair kit - for when you get a 2nd puncture on same trip - quite likely for various reasons eg thorns (plural) on road, or failing to remove the bit of glass that caused the puncture you've just fixed. And anyway you need to fix the replaced tube at home. Slime?: dunno - I've not used it myself but have seen someone unable to pump up a tyre as the valve was gummed up. A track pump is a good buy as it's very hard to pump up tyres properly with a portable pump - which you obviously need as well