Fifty Plus (50+) - First flat

What do I do now? Its the rear wheel 1 1/4" staple punctured the tube a mile into my evening ride. I don't know if I should take the wheel off or patch the tube. Any advice would greatly be apprectiated. :(

Change the tube if you have one, if not try a patch & head for home.

Can you change the tube without taking the wheel off?

Sorry, no. It has to come off.

Can you change the tube without taking the wheel off?

Cool,,,,,,,,,,,,

Is this something I can tackle myself or should I take the bike to the shop? Taking the back wheel off looks complicated with the gears and all.

On today's modern bike, it's not that bad to remove a reinstall a rear wheel. I suggest you take it to your LBS & get a training course on changing flats, they should be more than happy to assist you.

There are a whole lot of YouTube videos on removing rear wheels and how to remove, FIND THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK AND REMOVE IT, and change the tube and replace and remount.

Unless you are proficient at using a patch kit, don't try to patch the tube. It will only leak. Practice at home on this a bit. Personally, I am so bad that I never patch tubes - they always leak. I just put in a new tube, which I buy en mass at www.nashbar.com (http://www.nashbar.com) on sale.

I've had 5 flats so far this season - since May.

Beaumont, Texas. Is that goat head thorn country? Assuming it is, I'd strongly suggest that you learn to fix your own flats because you're going to get more.

Most bike shops have periodic classes in basic bike repairs. If you have average mechanical ability you can probably figure out how to do it by yourself but there are a couple of detail things that a bike shop class can help you with. If you can fix your own flats you're a long way toward being self-sufficient on the road. Once you've had that back wheel off and back on a couple of times it's not much of a deal anymore.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I got the courage to tackle this. Going buy a new tube tomorrow and try to do it myself. I know I can do it. Only thing is I've developed a severe allergy to wrenches.:lol: Don't like to handle em.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I got the courage to tackle this. Going buy a new tube tomorrow and try to do it myself. I know I can do it. Only thing is I've developed a severe allergy to wrenches.:lol: Don't like to handle em.

You don't use a wrench to fix a flat. I would STRONGLY suggest that you have someone "in the know" show you how to properly tighten a "quick release" (QR) - it is very dangerous if you do not do it correctly, and defies common sense until you know how. Do not do this yourself without knowledge of a QR. Seriously.

You don't use a wrench to fix a flat. I would STRONGLY suggest that you have someone "in the know" show you how to properly tighten a "quick release" (QR) - it is very dangerous if you do not do it correctly, and defies common sense until you know how. Do not do this yourself without knowledge of a QR. Seriously.

I don't have a quick release on the rear wheel, its nuts on both sides. But, your right... The more I think about it the less I want to pick up any kind of tool and tinker. Besides, the girl at the LBS is really a cutie. The flat is a good excuse to go down there again. :thumb:

I don't have a quick release on the rear wheel, its nuts on both sides. But, your right... The more I think about it the less I want to pick up any kind of tool and tinker. Besides, the girl at the LBS is really a cutie. The flat is a good excuse to go down there again. :thumb:

OK - I didn't know they made bicycles any more (besides dept store bikes) without QR. My bad. Sorry.

OK - I didn't know they made bicycles any more (besides dept store bikes) without QR. My bad. Sorry.
No need to apologize... I appreciate the input. My bike is a dept. store hack. A schwinn hybrid, going to upgrade in the future. I wanted to make sure I am going to stick with cycling before I bite the bullet on a nice bike. I am definitely addicted to the sport. I've been looking at a Trek.

Fixing a flat is very easy, but like anything else, the first time might be a little worrisome. Take it to your LBS and try to learn during the process. As in a previous post, someone said there are lots of video's that explain the procedure quite well.

You don't use a wrench to fix a flat. I would STRONGLY suggest that you have someone "in the know" show you how to properly tighten a "quick release" (QR) - it is very dangerous if you do not do it correctly, and defies common sense until you know how. Do not do this yourself without knowledge of a QR. Seriously.

I have to ask what it is about a QR that defies common sense? I've used them for years, no one ever showed me how, and they seemed as straightforward as can be from day one. What am I missing???

Fixing a flat tire is something that every cyclist needs to learn to do. The only way to avoid it is to always ride with someone who knows how. Take that class on tire changing for newbies at the LBS or bicycle club and once you take the class you will cease to be a newbie and join the ranks of the exalted sages. Now, you probably want to take the class at another LBS because the "cutie" will be more impressed by someone who already knows how to fix a flat and you can always find some accessory to look at to justify a visit to her. ;)

Actually inner tube patching is a pretty boring process these days. When I was a kid automobile tires had tubes too and if you wanted your bicycle tube patched you took it to the local gas station and paid the mechanic to patch it for you. He would go through this amazing process involving water tanks, wire brushes on a bench grinder, and a big clamp that held the patch against the tube in a metal frame. The last step was to light a pyrotechnic layer on the back of the patch to "vulcanize" it to the tube. Well worth the price of admission and if your friend had a flat you would be sure to tag along to watch for free!

Oh, and many internally geared, non-department store, rear hubs will be held on with nuts, not a quick release.

Ken

I have to ask what it is about a QR that defies common sense? I've used them
for years, no one ever showed me how, and they seemed as straightforward as can
be from day one. What am I missing???



I have seen folks who simply tighten the QR like a nut, without using the lever portion as a lever, simply as a handle to twist the nut part of the QR as tight as they can get it, missing the added tightness of closing the lever. This is what I am concerned about, and it is great that it never occurred to you to do that. Doing this could be very dangerous, especially on a rear dropout with no "lawyer's tabs."

No need to apologize... I appreciate the input. My bike is a dept. store hack. A schwinn hybrid, going to upgrade in the future. I wanted to make sure I am going to stick with cycling before I bite the bullet on a nice bike. I am definitely addicted to the sport. I've been looking at a Trek.

Nice bikes, the Treks. Even the old ones.

Also inspect the tire, or have the shop check it. A 1 1/4 inch staple is a big hunk of metal to go into a tire. It could have damaged the threads of the tire, on the way in or out. This could cause the tire to fail. If it went into the side wall, I'd just go and replace the tire.
And learn to change a tube on you own, even of you have to carry a wrench to take the wheels off. What if you where 10 miles from home? Carry a spare tube, patch kit(incase you get two flats, it happens), and a co2 system(not hard to use). And practice at home, that will make doing it on the road less frightening.

What do I do now? Its the rear wheel 1 1/4" staple punctured the tube a mile into my evening ride. I don't know if I should take the wheel off or patch the tube. Any advice would greatly be apprectiated. :(

As others have suggested, take it to your lbs to fix and ask them to explain the process. There are a few things to be aware of, but it is not beyond you.

If you plan on riding more, expect to get a flat tire now and then. It will behove you to know how to handle it, which includes knowing what to carry with you while riding in order to get back on your way.

OK - I didn't know they made bicycles any more (besides dept store bikes) without QR. My bad. Sorry.

I think fixed gear bikes don't use QR.

Rear wheels are only marginally more time consuming to remove than front wheels. The key is to have as much slack in the chain as possible. You get that by shifting to the small chainring in front, and the small cog in back. Once the QR or axle bolt is loosened (as well as any QR your brakes might have), pull the body of the rear derailleur back (it will pivot back if you put your thumb behind where it bolts to the hanger) and the wheel should drop straight down out of the dropouts. Or you might have to persuade it gently with a smack of your hand on the top of the tire. If you're the persnickity type, and if your bike has a chain hanger on the inside of the drive side seat stay, loop the chain up over it to keep it from flopping around on the chainstay while you're off fixing the flat.

Yup, go for it!
Use a rag to keep the grease off your hands, drop the wheel/sprocket ass'y out the bottom & break the tire down. I would take a close look at the tire as Leob stated. I have even "patched" the inside of the tire before, when a chunk was missing. Got me thru the summer...

Dive in & learn it. It really helps if you have enuf confidence & experience to make roadside emergency repairs. Best place to start is in the garage!
Good luck!

There are a whole lot of YouTube videos on removing rear wheels and how to remove, FIND THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK AND REMOVE IT, and change the tube and replace and remount.

Unless you are proficient at using a patch kit, don't try to patch the tube. It will only leak. Practice at home on this a bit. Personally, I am so bad that I never patch tubes - they always leak. I just put in a new tube, which I buy en mass at www.nashbar.com (http://www.nashbar.com) on sale.

I've had 5 flats so far this season - since May.


Patches aren't that hard. The key with patches is to get one of the old fashioned patch kits with the glue, and to take your time, the glueless patches are not worth buying. I always carry a spare tube, so on the road I just swap tubes, then I collect them up, and do a bunch at once. I have 3 to do now :(

Correction, had 3 to do, actually had 4, but one had 2 patches on it already, I patch up to 2 times, then toss it.

Go to a local dirt bike shop and ask if you can help change a dirt bike tire. After you attempt that you will find out a bicycle tire is child's play :) I can change a bicycle tire with no tools(well a pump and/or Co2 but that doesn't count)

Patches aren't that hard. The key with patches is to get one of the old fashioned patch kits with the glue, and to take your time, the glueless patches are not worth buying. I always carry a spare tube, so on the road I just swap tubes, then I collect them up, and do a bunch at once. I have 3 to do now :(

Thanks, but no thanks. Most folks herein know of my rather "limited" (or non-existent) mechanical ability. That is simply a fact of life, and, to prevent frustration to me, I will let Nashbar get rich off of my tube purchases.!! :)

I have seen folks who simply tighten the QR like a nut, without using the lever portion as a lever, simply as a handle to twist the nut part of the QR as tight as they can get it, missing the added tightness of closing the lever. This is what I am concerned about, and it is great that it never occurred to you to do that. Doing this could be very dangerous, especially on a rear dropout with no "lawyer's tabs."

Ok, but that is not a matter of common sense, that is a matter of being completely clueless. No offense to anyone who's been there, done that, there is no shame in being clueless about such things if this is the first mechanically oriented job you have attempted. It is just a matter of getting trained, reaching that "aha" moment where you see how it is supposed to work, and then all sorts of mechanical things will start to make a lot more sense to you. Your, explanation above should be all that is needed to prevent a newbie from falling into this trap, no need to make it sound like a job for a rocket scientist! We all have to learn sometime and my innate mechanical sense came from helping my dad fix cars from about age eight.

Ken

Ok, but that is not a matter of common sense, that is a matter of being completely clueless.


I guess I am missing out on what the big deal is and why the semantics of "common sense" or not make any difference whatsoever. The point was simply for him to know how to use a QR correctly, which apparently does not matter because he does not have a QR.

I'm not very good at arguing the finer (and perhaps unnecessary) points of language and semantics in this context, nor do I care to, so I will just drop it. Hopefully, you will do likewise.

Patches aren't that hard. I just swap tubes, then I collect them up, and do a bunch at once. I have 3 to do now :(.

I totally agree with The Wogster,

And just FYI would like to point out that if you're a dedicated cyclist who patches their own tubes, REMA (my favorite brand!) has patches available in boxes of 100, plus REMA glue (pretty much standard rubber cement, but in a handy can) and "rubber buffer" (to treat the tube surface prior to application of glue) as well.

Still, it's a good idea to keep a "kit" in your seat bag or other place on our bike, but save it for on-the-road punctures and use the REMA items noted above at home in your "bike shop" area or tool kit.

Rick / OCRR

PS: Probably not applicable to the OP or other newbee's.

Take things apart and put them back together. Easiest way to learn. Don't over-analyze it. Just do it.

Our local shop has seminars for basic bike mechanics. See if your's does also. Would make things easier to learn.
I know they have them for women-only also.

Thanks, but no thanks. Most folks herein know of my rather "limited" (or non-existent) mechanical ability. That is simply a fact of life, and, to prevent frustration to me, I will let Nashbar get rich off of my tube purchases.!! :)

If you can swap a tube, you can fix one, you need, glue, patches, a piece of fine sand paper, bucket of water, an old rag, a pump. I collect up a few, and fix them at once.

Take the first one, add air, until it's about twice normal size, push it into the bucket a short piece at a time, until you see bubbles rushing out, put your thumb over the hole, dry off that section of tube, rough up an area of about 2 times the size of your patch, and cover the roughed up area with glue, put it to the side, and get the rest to this same condition, it takes about 10 minutes, to dry. Apply the patch, glue side down to the glue area on the tube, add a nice heavy weight, and do the rest to this same point. Give them about 15 minutes to set up. Use the water to make sure your patch is air proof. Dry off, let out all the air, and fold it up. Put it in a tube box or in a heavy duty zipper style plastic bag, your done.

If you can swap a tube, you can fix one, you need, glue, patches, a piece of fine sand paper, bucket of water, an old rag, a pump. I collect up a few, and fix them at once.

Take the first one, add air, until it's about twice normal size, push it into the bucket a short piece at a time, until you see bubbles rushing out, put your thumb over the hole, dry off that section of tube, rough up an area of about 2 times the size of your patch, and cover the roughed up area with glue, put it to the side, and get the rest to this same condition, it takes about 10 minutes, to dry. Apply the patch, glue side down to the glue area on the tube, add a nice heavy weight, and do the rest to this same point. Give them about 15 minutes to set up. Use the water to make sure your patch is air proof. Dry off, let out all the air, and fold it up. Put it in a tube box or in a heavy duty zipper style plastic bag, your done.

Somehow, you miss the point. I don't want to, don't enjoy, detest, hate, abhor, loathe, abominate, and dislike intensely fixing my tubes.

Please don't be driven to force me to do something I don't want to do, don't have time for, and have a WHOLE lot of other priorities in life that I consider so vastly more important than patching a tube. What is it with the "fix your own tube" religion, anyway?

Somehow, you miss the point. I don't want to, don't enjoy, detest, hate, abhor, loathe, abominate, and dislike intensely fixing my tubes.

Please don't be driven to force me to do something I don't want to do, don't have time for, and have a WHOLE lot of other priorities in life that I consider so vastly more important than patching a tube. What is it with the "fix your own tube" religion, anyway?

Sorry, Dnvr. Your post made me laugh a bit. My father still gets annoyed with me for not chaning the oil in my car. Your list...detest, hate, abhor, loathe,abominate, and dislike intensely... pretty much describes my feelings about changing the oil in my car. I fully "get" not wanting to patch tubes.

Sorry, Dnvr. Your post made me laugh a bit. My father still gets annoyed with me for not chaning the oil in my car. Your list...detest, hate, abhor, loathe,abominate, and dislike intensely... pretty much describes my feelings about changing the oil in my car. I fully "get" not wanting to patch tubes.

I am always pleased to bring a smidgen of joy into other's lives. :) That is one of the priorities that, to me, is more important than repairing tubes.

At some point you will need to know how, I don't think AAA will send a tow truck to fix a bicycle flat.

Somehow, you miss the point. I don't want to, don't enjoy, detest, hate, abhor, loathe, abominate, and dislike intensely fixing my tubes.

Please don't be driven to force me to do something I don't want to do, don't have time for, and have a WHOLE lot of other priorities in life that I consider so vastly more important than patching a tube. What is it with the "fix your own tube" religion, anyway?

Well, the reason I fix tubes is simple, a tube costs $4, a patch costs 4 ¢ so, yeah I'm cheap, and when the alternative is cleaning the garage. Mind you I always buy new tubes with new tires, and the old ones get checked over, no leaks, they go in the spares pile. Currently there is a spare on each of my bikes, a spare on the wife's bike, and two extras in the shed...

Well, the reason I fix tubes is simple, a tube costs $4, a patch costs 4 ¢ so, yeah I'm cheap, and when the alternative is cleaning the garage. Mind you I always buy new tubes with new tires, and the old ones get checked over, no leaks, they go in the spares pile. Currently there is a spare on each of my bikes, a spare on the wife's bike, and two extras in the shed...

I am pleased that you fix your tubes. I carry two extra tubes AND a patch kit (including templrary stickons) on each of my several bikes (check out my avatar). And, in an urgency, I CAN use a patch kit.

Keep up the good work.

Well, I brought my bike to the LBS and will pick it up tomorrow after they fix the flat. I didn't have time to watch how the mechanic does it, but I do understand the importance of basic skills in changing a flat on the road. I will put together a kit for what I will need to change flats on the road. Lets see... I'm guessing the list should include:
1. Wrenches to undo the nuts on my hack department store bike. ( The front wheel has the quick release but the rear does not)
2. Spare tubes
3. CO2 cartridges

Is their anything else I should add to the list?

I refuse to patch tubes. I realize I don't have the skill or the time to try patching tubes. Would rather pay the extra dough.

Well, I brought my bike to the LBS and will pick it up tomorrow after they fix the flat. I didn't have time to watch how the mechanic does it, but I do understand the importance of basic skills in changing a flat on the road. I will put together a kit for what I will need to change flats on the road. Lets see... I'm guessing the list should include:
1. Wrenches to undo the nuts on my hack department store bike. ( The front wheel has the quick release but the rear does not)
2. Spare tubes
3. CO2 cartridges

Is their anything else I should add to the list?

I refuse to patch tubes. I realize I don't have the skill or the time to try patching tubes. Would rather pay the extra dough.

tire levers to aid in removing and replacing the tire, although some of us get so much practice that we do it without levers, and it also depends on the type of tire - some are very easy, some are difficult.

An understanding on how to mount a tire without pinching the tube

Some stickon patches, as there will be times when you run out of tubes.

Personally, I don't use CO2, but instead a frame pump. Either works, CO2 cartridges run out, frame pumps don't.

Some folks use a ball of cotton to wipe the inside of the tube to find the - sometimes hidden - sticker or other cause of the flat. If not removed, it will flat again. It can be a tiny wire from a radial tire, also.

I'm sure you will get more suggestions.

Well, I brought my bike to the LBS and will pick it up tomorrow after they fix the flat. I didn't have time to watch how the mechanic does it, but I do understand the importance of basic skills in changing a flat on the road. I will put together a kit for what I will need to change flats on the road. Lets see... I'm guessing the list should include:
1. Wrenches to undo the nuts on my hack department store bike. ( The front wheel has the quick release but the rear does not)
2. Spare tubes
3. CO2 cartridges

Is their anything else I should add to the list?


I refuse to patch tubes. I realize I don't have the skill or the time to try patching tubes. Would rather pay the extra dough.

depending on tire/ wheel configureation,you will most likely need a couple of tire levers
Bud

Well, I brought my bike to the LBS and will pick it up tomorrow after they fix the flat. I didn't have time to watch how the mechanic does it, but I do understand the importance of basic skills in changing a flat on the road. I will put together a kit for what I will need to change flats on the road. Lets see... I'm guessing the list should include:
1. Wrenches to undo the nuts on my hack department store bike. ( The front wheel has the quick release but the rear does not)
2. Spare tubes
3. CO2 cartridges

Is their anything else I should add to the list?

I refuse to patch tubes. I realize I don't have the skill or the time to try patching tubes. Would rather pay the extra dough.

I you are really into this, your list should soon include "new bike with modern quick release wheels". Resistance to this is futile.

Some folks use a ball of cotton to wipe the inside of the tube to find the - sometimes hidden - sticker or other cause of the flat. If not removed, it will flat again. It can be a tiny wire from a radial tire, also.
.

Ingenious. Thanks for that tip.

At some point you will need to know how, I don't think AAA will send a tow truck to fix a bicycle flat.

But these (http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/index.cfm) people will.

On the subject of repairing flats I practically paid my way through college fixing sew-ups. I charged $25 to fix one and people were glad to pay it because the really good silk ones were $100+ This was just for patching the tube, not taking it off the rim or remounting it. Of course with sew-ups you had to find the leak, cut the casing, pull out the tube, patch the tube and then sew it up again. The hard part was sewing it up again so that the casing was perfectly even. It was a talent at lot of people didn't have. My mother taught me to sew at an early age and it has served me well :-).

DnvrFox: You might find people willing to take your old tubes instead of you throwing them out. They are so easy to patch I think you will find plenty of people willing to take a tube with only one hole in it and patching it rather than spending the bucks for a new tube. Where I live there is a place that teaches youth to refurbish bicycles and they are always willing to take perfectly good tubes off people's hands.

I you are really into this, your list should soon include "new bike with modern quick release wheels". Resistance to this is futile.
LOL! The new bike is on my list of things to do... Trying to decide which one to get.;)

tire levers to aid in removing and replacing the tire, although some of us get so much practice that we do it without levers, and it also depends on the type of tire - some are very easy, some are difficult.

An understanding on how to mount a tire without pinching the tube

Some stickon patches, as there will be times when you run out of tubes.

Personally, I don't use CO2, but instead a frame pump. Either works, CO2 cartridges run out, frame pumps don't.

Some folks use a ball of cotton to wipe the inside of the tube to find the - sometimes hidden - sticker or other cause of the flat. If not removed, it will flat again. It can be a tiny wire from a radial tire, also.

I'm sure you will get more suggestions.

I agree with Denver here, CO2 runs out, the only time a pump will quit moving air is when you quit moving air, and then it doesn't really matter whether you fix the flat or not.:twitchy:

If you do want to carry CO2 remember that you need to carry more cartridges then tubes, and you need an inflator. Probably the best idea for an inflator is the Topeak Two Timer, which is an inflator and pump in one, so when you find the cartridge is no good, or you don't get it installed properly and all the CO2 goes off in space, you can still pump. I haven't tried one of these, but it looks like a good idea....

I am pleased that you fix your tubes. I carry two extra tubes AND a patch kit (including templrary stickons) on each of my several bikes (check out my avatar). And, in an urgency, I CAN use a patch kit.

Keep up the good work.

I had one time, I was out on a ride, some dumb*** probably on one of those 15K plastic bikes, had left a tube on the side of the trail, not a cheap $4 tube like I use, but one of those $25 thinner-then-a-condom type tubes, yeah I picked it up, they patch just as well as the cheap ones.:D This served the dual purpose of an extra spare, and cleaning up someone else's mess on the trail. Then again, some people think I am weird, in that I believe that we should respect God's creation, not trash it.

I am a little surprised to hear how many people don't patch tubes. Makes me wonder how I can find the locals with that view. Enough of them and I'd never have to buy another tube.

By the way, OP, regarding your list:

You probably don't need wrenches (plural) for your back wheel, just one that fits.

I carry tire levers too. Some tires you don't need them, others you do, some times you flat when the weather is nice, other times it's freezing and your fingers appreciate the tire levers doing the work.

I also started carrying those thin, disposable gloves so that I don't get grease/grime/oil all over myself from handling the chain.

I also carry a patch kit, though often it turns out impractical to use as it is not always possible to find the leak.

the only time a pump will quit moving air is when you quit moving air,

Or when the pump breaks! Every time a thread like this starts someone will post that they use CO2 because every time they needed to use their pump it was broken, and then someone else will post that they use a pump because every time they needed to use their CO2 it was broken. So, since I am not a weight weenie I have adopted the only logical strategy based on the collective experience: I carry one of each and if they are both broken, I call my wife to pick me up. If my phone is broken too, I walk. If my leg is broken too, well I'm having a real doozey of a bad day, aren't I?

Ken ;)