Puncture On First Ride!

[DrDre2010]

So first proper bike ride summary after my purchase:
Getting out of Woolwich is generally up hill which is hard work when you're out of shape, then Oxleas Wood was great fun for some dirt paths which some got very small and were over grown(good fun though).
Then decide its getting dark after 6 miles of riding for about 0.5miles down the road I get a flat tyre! Argh!
So a 4mile walk home as well!


Just thought I'd vent!

 

[HLaB]

Too late now but were your tyres pumped up to towards the max pressure ?

Stock tyres are notoriously poor however as manufacturers try to keep the cost of the entire bike down.

 

[DrDre2010]

Too late now but were your tyres pumped up to towards the max pressure ?

Stock tyres are notoriously poor however as manufacturers try to keep the cost of the entire bike down.

No ideas they were pumped @ Halfords when I bought it. They're 'Kinects' tyres...
If I were to upgrade them what would you suggest?

 

[HLaB]

No ideas they were pumped @ Halfords when I bought it. They're 'Kinects' tyres...
If I were to upgrade them what would you suggest?

I'd try getting a track pump and pumping them up to pressure first (if its a mtb/ hybrid its usually around 85psi, it'll be marked on the side walls of the tyres).

If you were to upgrade I'd suggest Continentals as I'm a big fan but there are plenty of other good tyres out there, Schwalbe etc.

 

[DrDre2010]

I'd try getting a track pump and pumping them up to pressure first (if its a mtb/ hybrid its usually around 85psi, it'll be marked on the side walls of the tyres).

If you were to upgrade I'd suggest Continentals as I'm a big fan but there are plenty of other good tyres out there, Schwalbe etc.

Track pumps are the large style pumps yeah? If so guessing I should get a hand pump as well for keeping on me?
There are quite a few Continentals about any suggestions what? And any special innertubes that are better than others?

 

[raindog]

Do you know how to change an inner tube? If not you must learn, and then never leave the house without a small hand pump, spare tube and tyre levers. Riding even short distances without is madness.

edit
oops, typo

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

they were pumped @ Halfords when I bought it

Errrrrr.......or you was just unlucky

 

[DrDre2010]

Do you know how to change an inner tube? If not you must learn, and then never leave the house without a small hand pump, spare tube and tyre levers. Riding even short distances without is madness.

edit
oops, typo

Yeah not changed one in years but sure it will all come back to me! Lever the wheel off, pull the old inner tube out, place new one in starting at the valve then pop tyre back on and pump.

 

[naffa]

I've filled my tubes with a 'slime' like substance thats meant to seal any punctures as they happen.

As a result I couldn't tell you if it works or not. lol.

But for a fiver for both front and rear I think its worth using.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I have never seen MTB tyres go anywhere near 85 psi. Usually 60/65psi max. Hybrid will be higher. Look at max pressure on tyre wall. Also consider putting 10% less in front so 60psio in rear 54% in front

Welcome to the club

(if its a mtb/ hybrid its usually around 85psi, it'll be marked on the side walls of the tyres).

 

[HLaB]

Track pumps are the large style pumps yeah? If so guessing I should get a hand pump as well for keeping on me?
There are quite a few Continentals about any suggestions what? And any special innertubes that are better than others?

Yip, track pumps are larger and can easily get up to pressure, a mini pump is good for your ride too.

It depends really what type of bike you've got but Conti do a good range IMO 'Contacts' are a good tyre for p'ture resistance and they'll replace it for free if you do. For a narrower road bike wheel; they also do gator skins, grand prix, etc.

Innertubes are much of muchness, anything that can find the way through your tyre will be sharp enough to go through any tube. You get slime filled tubes, which are supposed to help; I've never used them though, they are heavy and I read too many messy reports of them not working.

 

[DrDre2010]

I've filled my tubes with a 'slime' like substance thats meant to seal any punctures as they happen.

As a result I couldn't tell you if it works or not. lol.

But for a fiver for both front and rear I think its worth using.

Yeah when purchasing inner tubes yesterday I saw them but very mixed reviews on them...good for pin hole sized punctures but useless for sides or larger holes it seems.

I have never seen MTB tyres go anywhere near 85 psi. Usually 60/65psi max. Hybrid will be higher. Look at max pressure on tyre wall. Also consider putting 10% less in front so 60psio in rear 54% in front

Welcome to the club

Cheers I'd always check before pumping them anyways, mine state 40-65psi.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Don't forget to check the tyre in case whatever it was (thorn, flint, sliver of glass etc) is still in the carcass. it will save you puncturing your new tube.

Bill

Oh,and +1 for track pumps.....they rock!

 

[joett1978]

Happened to me too so I can sympathise!!

Luckily enough I had bought a track and hand pump, tyre levers and a repair kit at the same time!! i now also carry a spare tube just in case too.

Re tyre levers...When I was a lad I almost lost many a finger using the wrong end of my mums various cutlery sets, never even thought of levers but being more scared of the wife than my mum I got some. When I had to use them for the first time it was a revelation!! So easy to get the tyre off, no grazes/ lost digits and for only a couple of quid!!

Joe

 

[fungus]

What bike do you have? We can possibly recommend some better tyres then.

You need a
seatpack: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/saddle-bags/
Multitool: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/multi-tools/
Mini pump: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/manual-pumps/
Park tyre levers & glueless patches: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-puncture-kit-with-tyre-levers/
& carry a couple of spare tubes