Help Needed Even If I Am An Idiot

[Doc333]

Only been cycling a couple of weeks, and today experienced my first flat, which meant I was pushing my bike the last couple of miles. Yes I have no spare or pump with me, and I have a feeling that it was a slow puncture.

Anyway I get the bike home and then discover that the valve is unlike any I've seen before and on top of that the pump I had doesn't fit this. Schwalbe Lugano PP 700x25c is the tyre, and the PP means puncture Protection whatever that means - so is it punctured or what?

Anyway I obviously need to buy a few bits, so what type of pump do I need, or is there different types of CO2 fittings. Does my tyres have inner tubes so that I can get some.

I know it may sound stupid to you guys, but this is all new to me so any tips/advice much appreciated.

 

[ianrauk]

Here you go, this will help.



Check your tyre for what may have punctured it. A nail, piece of glass, flint etc.
Dig that out then follow the video above.

You need to buy a replacement tube 700x23-28 or similar.
Some tyre levers.
A track pump (as in the video)

And away you go.
Practice makes things easier for the next time.

 

[coffeejo]

If it looks like a car tyre valve, it's a Schrader valve. If not, it's a Presta valve.

Personally, I use a Topeak Joe Blow Sprint Track Pump at home, and Topeak Turbo Morph with Gauge on my hybrid and the Road Morph with guage on the road bike.

 

[ianjmcd]

the value you have more than likely a presta type valve so you need to get a pump with that type of adaptor , yes your bike will have inner tubes and its allways best to try and carry a spare easier to replace tube than it is to fix pubncture y by the side of the road Co2 pumps come in Presta and Schrader valve types get the right one

For the road some ppl prefer co2 pumps but invest in a track pump for home

as for puncture protection it is just that Protection no guarantee

 

[Doc333]

Cheers guys seems I have a lot to learn

 

[coffeejo]

Cheers guys seems I have a lot to learn

You'll be fine.

 

[Doc333]

Well I have the tube out and ready, just waiting to make my purchases tomoz, however I have a feeling that the tube wasn't damaged? There seems to be some pressure in there, and maybe somehow the valve had loosened itself? Is that possible? just my luck if it has. Anyway will need a pump that fits before I know, or should I just replace that tube anyway now?

 

[Dusty Bin]

Well I have the tube out and ready, just waiting to make my purchases tomoz, however I have a feeling that the tube wasn't damaged? There seems to be some pressure in there, and maybe somehow the valve had loosened itself? Is that possible? just my luck if it has. Anyway will need a pump that fits before I know, or should I just replace that tube anyway now?

Inflate the tube enough to make it firm - if it goes down again, it is punctured. You might even be able to hear the air coming out.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Well I have the tube out and ready, just waiting to make my purchases tomoz, however I have a feeling that the tube wasn't damaged? There seems to be some pressure in there, and maybe somehow the valve had loosened itself? Is that possible? just my luck if it has. Anyway will need a pump that fits before I know, or should I just replace that tube anyway now?

It's possible that the (Presta) valve might not have been fully closed - that can happen, particularly if the head is slightly bent but it's more likely that there is a very small slow puncture. An easy way to locate one of those is to inflate it a bit and hold it under water. Have bubbles, have hole located. And the location of the hole will give you 2 possible areas on the tyre where there might be some glass or flint or thorn.

If the valve is good, the tube needs a patch and it's as good as new again. Some simply dump them and fit a new tube, others have a 3 patches and out policy. I'm a new tube in, and patch them at home in front of the TV person.

 

[youngoldbloke]

If you have found a puncture in the tube, before you put a new tube in the tyre, make sure that whatever caused the puncture is not still in the tyre. Before even removing the tyre inspect the outside - sometimes the cause will be very obvious, confirm by inspecting the tube. If you fit your tyre with the logo lined up with the valve you are able to use the valve as a fixed reference point to make a rough estimation of the area of the tyre where the original problem occurred - so far from the valve/logo in one direction or the other. If the cause is not immediately obvious inspect the tyre closely inside and out, flexing it will expose the tiniest flint. Sometimes you may not find the culprit itself but find the cut or hole in the tyre that it caused. I carry a small pair of pointed tweezers on the bike to remove tiny flints, thorns or glass shards, they can be very stubborn!.

 

[cyberknight]

I

If you have found a puncture in the tube, before you put a new tube in the tyre, make sure that whatever caused the puncture is not still in the tyre. .

Good advice there, i once had 3 punctures in less than 5 miles because i could not find a shard of glass in the tyre in the dark.

If its a small hole the tube will hold a little bit of air when its not under pressure , not enough to ride on though.Pump up the tube a bit and do the old "find the hole by the bubbles" routine then assuming its not the valve you can generally patch it.

 

[biggs682]

Cheers guys seems I have a lot to learn

life is a learning curve for all of us

 

[mrandmrspoves]

And to find elusive sharp items protruding into the tyre - run a cotton wool ball around the inside. It will snag at the point of a sharp object (particularly useful when it's cold and your fingers are numb)

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

You can often find the hole in an inner tube by running it closely past your lip - you will be able to feel the air escaping (since there isn't usually a bowl of soapy water to hand by the roadside).

Which is why it's wise to carry a spare tube with you...have a feel around the tyre inside and a look outside to avoid repeat pffffformances (TM), whip the new one out and mend the old one at leisure.

 

[Kies]

Cheers guys seems I have a lot to learn

We were all new to this once, the advice above is top notch. Take heed and practice changing a tube in the back garden. It is something you will want to get good at, so the next time you don't have to walk home.
Buy a decent roadside pump, tyre levers and an innertube to carry in a saddle bag.