Originally Posted by
instock
Thanks guys. I still have my old Schwinn from the accident. I'll give it a practice try. Does a new valve come as part of the tube usually? I can't see in the videos where they move the valve to the new tube. How do I buy the correct size tube?
I feel like maybe a patch kit might be a good idea. I tend to ride with my kids and other inexperienced riders. I can't carry every tube, but I might be able to whip out a patch kit and save the day. Maybe one of those CO2 things. Sound like a plan?
Hi Instock. I had a thorn puncture on a tour. Amazing how they love bike tires!
Everyone here gives great advice, but I like to start from scratch.
1. Look at your tires on all your bikes from the right side. If built correctly, the Brand/Label on the tire should line up with the valve,( either Mr Presta or Ms Schrader.) This is done for a reason. When you get a flat, that orientation localizes the tube with respect to the tire. So when you put air in the tube and it hisses at you from a hole a 3:00 o'clock from the valve hole, that is exactly where to check your tire for a puncture or foreign object inside the tire. Or even a rim tape failure leaving a spoke exposed. When you remount the tire, try to place it back the same way.
2. The hole type tells you what to look for. Double hole side by side is a "snakebite" from low tire pressure. The tube got pinched between tire and rim at each side. Single hole on outside of tube, think puncture and feel along inner tire at that point. Also, pinch/flex/bend the tread and look for embedded objects. A small piece of glass or metal can burrow in and be hard to see right away. Hole on inner side of tube, look at rim tape (all holes should be covered over the spoke heads). Lastly, look if hole appears at a seam in the tube or at the place where the valve inserts into the tube. These can be manufacturing failure points.
3. Take care with the tube when mounting stuff up. Try not to pinch the tube between rim and tire.
4. Try to get good at mounting tires by hand without levers. Less chance of damage.
And lastly, I think having a floor pump with a pressure gauge is really the best way to go. I watch garage sales and even new are not speedy. The garage sale models I have in my car trunk so no matter which vehicle I toss my bike on I have a pump at hand.
Have fun riding!