puncture repair has nearlly got me to quit

[vimes]

hi all
am trying to replace my innertube due to a puncture i got on my first trip out on a road bike
after struggling to get the tyre off i put the new one on and struggled for an hour getting the trye back on went to pump it up and nothing so took it all off again and found i had caused 3 punctures trying to get the tyre on
i have nearlly had it with road bikes never had this hassle with a mountain bike grrrrrr and to top it all from what i read punctures are quite a common thing on road bikes
regards
lee

 

[Reluctant cyclist]

Calm down dear, calm down, it's only a puncture!

Don't use tyre levers to put the tyre back on, you will almost certainly nip the tube and cause another puncture. (Or three!)

Check the tyre to make sure that whatever it was that caused the first puncture is removed.

Before you fully inflate the tube once the tyre is back on, check the beading to ensure the tube is not trapped between the tyre and the wheel rim.

Buy a track pump and keep the tyres inflated to the manufactures recommended pressures.

Regards,

Roger

 

[slowmotion]

Have a look at this video. It shows how to put on the notorious Marathon Plus but the technique of gaining more bead slack is good for all tyres. With more slack, you don't need to use so much force with the tyre levers so are less likely to pinch the inner tube.

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4[/media]


Good luck.

 

[vimes]

good video that
i will try that
regards
lee

 

[MossCommuter]

Experience dictates... always, always, always, assume that there are two sources of a puncture in the tyre.

You find the thorn or glass that caused your puncture then you find the other one!! The times I have pulled glass from the tyre, repaired, replaced, inflated and found a second piece causes puncture 2 is too often.

Assume there are two! Always!

but then again, I don't get punctures anyway

 

[vimes]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
just tryed the method in video and still cant get it on it just seems i cant get the tyre down into the vee of the narrow of the racing profile rims
ready to bung it in the skip
lee

 

[Chris S]

NB Poundland are selling inner tubes at the moment - it's not worth bothering repairing them!

 

[dan_bo]

You know what? You get them days. Tomorrow is another one.



As you were.

 

[Arch]

NB Poundland are selling inner tubes at the moment - it's not worth bothering repairing them!

That doesn't really help, does it? He still has to get the tyre off and on again to just change the tube.

I don't know about punctures being more common on road bikes. Just choose your tyres well and keep them well pumped up.

I've never been beaten by a road bike sized tyre, I'm just ultra careful about not trapping the tube in the bead before I resort to using levers. Remember to slightly inflate the tube once you have it in, before you put the tyre back, so that it's less likely to get trapped.

Also, is this the first time you've had the tyre off? It will get a little more flexible the more you do it, I think. Either that, or you just get the knack.

I have had trouble with smaller wheel tyres, normally with getting the tyre off, not back on.

 

[slowmotion]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
just tryed the method in video and still cant get it on it just seems i cant get the tyre down into the vee of the narrow of the racing profile rims
ready to bung it in the skip
lee

vimes, I feel your pain


Have you tried tying the tyre down in the well with tyraps or cord as the guy shows in the film?

Arch is right, a new tyre is a lot harder to replace than one that's been rolling for a while. BTW, what is your tyre size?

Stick with it.

 

[Cardiac]

Experience dictates... always, always, always, assume that there are two sources of a puncture in the tyre.

You find the thorn or glass that caused your puncture then you find the other one!! The times I have pulled glass from the tyre, repaired, replaced, inflated and found a second piece causes puncture 2 is too often.

Assume there are two! Always!

But don't (please don't) feel around the inside of the tyre with your fingers without looking thoroughly first. I have found thorns and glass that way and I assure you it hurts!

 

[2Loose]

I agree that with narrow road tyres, the tube is more likely to be caught with tyre levers.
As Arch says, inflate the tube a little tiny bit then try to roll the tyres on with your thumbs. Only then dare I try with levers and I am very, very careful not to nip the tube against the rim with the levers.

Crossing fingers for you, I think it is a knack that you quickly learn - don't give up.

 

[vimes]

hi
i brought my tyre to work today as there is a guy who has been in to bikes for years and it took him 2 mins to put it on without leavers aswell
allthough he did agree it was very tight
regards
lee

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

3 shredded wheat from now on for breakfast

 

[Ravenbait]

I've got very small thumbs and have been reduced to tears trying to get tyres on before now . Sometimes no amount of knack in the world is enough.

But even the tightest tyre is only that tough when new. Don't let fixing a puncture put you off!

Sam