Had my first sssssssssssss

[lavoisier]

Had my first flat on Thursday. Panicked a bit as I was away from home. Turned out to be a slow p****ure and I was able to use CO2 to pump it up and get back home without it going down again. Changed tube at home and it was a thorn from previous ride methinks.
Not got much confidence in case I get stuck miles from home after having blown the two tubes I carry. Have to work on this. I blew out two tubes when changing tyres a week or so ago at home. Just thought I'd share.

Paul

 

[Part time cyclist]

On my longer weekend rides I carry two spare innertubes and a puncture repair outfit just incase I also run slime innertubes

 

[cyberknight]

2 inner tubes, repair kit,proper pump so i am not going to run out of gas ,multi tool, chain breaker +spoke key is what i carry as standard .
If you only use 1 water bottle you can get kits that look like a water bottle or a saddle bag to store it in , i aslo stow the windproof or gilet as well.

 

[lavoisier]

2 inner tubes, repair kit,proper pump so i am not going to run out of gas ,multi tool, chain breaker +spoke key is what i carry as standard .
If you only use 1 water bottle you can get kits that look like a water bottle or a saddle bag to store it in

I carry all of this too but not having attempted a roadside change before I'm finding it a bit daunting. Apart from a support car or mechanic on a tandem there is little else I can do.

 

[potsy]

This is why you should practice at home lavoisier, so that you are confident you can sort it out at the roadside and be on your way again.
Couple of spare tubes is what I carry, sometimes I'll take a multi-tool and a chain tool too, but the tubes and pump are always on the bike, even if I'm only going a few miles.

 

[cyberknight]

This is why you should practice at home lavoisier, so that you are confident you can sort it out at the roadside and be on your way again.

+1 had to do a tube change on friday , 5 minutes i reckon after i had tried to pump the tyre up as a splash and dash because i was only 3 miles from home in a vain attempt to get home first.

 

[lavoisier]

I don't think I could do it in 5 mins, I think I'd be happy to be successful. I suppose practicing at home and bursting two new tubes hasn't helped my confidence at all. I know I'll have to do it one day, sooner later than sooner.
Thanks

Paul

 

[lulubel]

Not got much confidence in case I get stuck miles from home after having blown the two tubes I carry. Have to work on this. I blew out two tubes when changing tyres a week or so ago at home.

Blowing tubes when you change tyres is something you learn how to not do with practice. It happens when you trap the tube between the tyre wall and the rim. I've found that even if you take care when you put the tyre on, it can still get trapped, so I go round both sides of the wheel before I pump it up, pushing the tyre away from the wheel rim and looking for any telltale bits of shiny, black tube poking through.

 

[lavoisier]

Blowing tubes when you change tyres is something you learn how to not do with practice. It happens when you trap the tube between the tyre wall and the rim. I've found that even if you take care when you put the tyre on, it can still get trapped, so I go round both sides of the wheel before I pump it up, pushing the tyre away from the wheel rim and looking for any telltale bits of shiny, black tube poking through.

Sounds like a great idea. I shall take that on board as a check to do before pumping. Being honest I probably rushed the changes anyway. I have learnt not to put the valve retaining ring on until the tyre is up, maybe that's what did it.

Paul

 

[qwiksilver]

i find putting a bit of air into the tube before you put it into the tyre helps to keep it in place not fully inflated just enough to round the tube so its not so flimsy it can be caught between tyre and rim and if you do feel you may get it cauught one guy i ride with spits on his tubes when he changes em on underside that makes contact with the rim as to lube it an allow it to move easily out of a pinch

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

On the blowing tubes issue, use plastic tyre levers and follow these steps
1. Deflate tyre
2. Take the bent end of the tyre lever and place inside the bead area of the tyre
3. about 10cm around the circumference place the other tyre lever inside the tyre bead
4. lever both of the tyre levers so the bead pops off the rim
5. keep one lever where it is and use the other one at 5cm intervals around the tyre popping the bead off as you go, when it loosens off just slide the lever around the rim to get the rest of the tyre out.

Changing a tube.
1. CHECK RIM AND TYRE FOR FOREIGN BODIES!!!!
2. remove any foreign bodies
3. Put the tyre back around the rim leaving half of it on the rim
4. Put valve into valve hole and slide the rest of the tube inside the tyre

For putting tyres back on.
1. start from by the valve and pop start popping the tyre inside the rim being careful not to catch the tube between the bead and the rim
2. To do this dont just go in one direction use your left hand to go clockwise and your right hand to go anticlockwise around the tyre.
3. When you get to the top the tyre will be too stiff to use your hands, get your tyre levers and use the extra leverage to pop the tyres onto the rim
4. Pump to 30psi (for road bikes, about 1/4 of recommended PSI) and check the tube isnt coming out of the tyre around the rim, if it is deflate and put it back in.
5. repeat step 4 until tube is completely in.
6. Pump to PSI needed and all is done

A lot of it is common sense, but a few of those steps people miss out regularly and they end up popping more tubes than they need to. Its all about practice, I can change a tyre in under 5 mins easily now, but when i did my first tyre it took me ages! Used to take me about an hour as a kid (excluding the hour I used to take waiting for puncture glue to dry :P)

I always take spare tubes and CO2 with me when I go out... but guarantee something else will break that your not prepared for, like a free hub or spokes!!

 

[lavoisier]

Thanks for that speedywj. It always helps to have a step by step guide. I shall memorise it and put it to good use as and when I need it.

Paul

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

Thanks for that speedywj. It always helps to have a step by step guide. I shall memorise it and put it to good use as and when I need it.

Paul

Just read it back to myself one part can be easily mis interpreted. Pump to 30 PSI(for road bikes) or 1/4 of reccomended PSI for other bikes.

 

[Altus]

Invest in quality puncture resistant tires if your running stock tires on your bike. Makes a massive difference to the number of times you get a puncture in the first place. I always carry a spare inner tube but havent had to use it since upgrading the tyres. Depends on your objectives of course

 

[BSRU]

Invest in quality puncture resistant tires if your running stock tires on your bike. Makes a massive difference to the number of times you get a puncture in the first place. I always carry a spare inner tube but havent had to use it since upgrading the tyres. Depends on your objectives of course

Why would anyone want to spoil a Specialized Secteur Comp with M+ tyres?