Feeling quite proud: Changed my first tube!
 

Yes, I know. It is really not much of an accomplishment. But for me it was quite a triumph.

I set out for a nice 40 mile ride this morning. As I was assembling everything, I could not find my tire levers (having swapped handlebar bag for seat bag the previous weekend ride). "No problem" I thought. What are the odds. Today, they were 100%.

I was cruising along, coming up on a radar speed sign. As I tried to go faster, I heard a strange noise coming from the rear tire. And then a very loud POP. I managed to come to a full and complete stop, even remembering to un-clip. A woman walking her dog was very alarmed. I told her (in my best "all under control" voice) it was just a flat.

After cursing my stupidity for not finding the tire levers before setting out, I decided to make the best of it and, rather than calling home for an embarrassing pickup, I would make the best of a bad situation, and use it as a learning experience.

I managed to get the wheel off (something I had practiced before) and inspected the tire and tube. The tire seemed fine, no sharp objects or anything like that. But the tube had a large (4"-6") rip, apparently along a seam. Good thing I had the foresight to be packing a spare tube. There was no way to patch something like this.

I put the tube on and gave it a tiny shot of air from the CO2 pump (another bit of foresight), and then tried to put the tire on. I could almost get it all the way on, but without the tire levers, it was just not going to happen. Of course, earlier in the my ride, I had encountered several other cyclists, who I am sure might have had a tire lever. However, at this point, I was all alone.

I didn't think my driver's license or i-phone would work as an alternate lever. So in desperation, I used one of the allen wrenches I carried in my meager tool kit. Being very careful not to damage the tube, I managed to get the tire all the way on. Success!

I finished pumping up the tire, reattached the wheel (and the rear brake), and I was on my way.

I ended up not following my originally planned ride, but had a good time nonetheless.

The moral of the story for me was two-fold:

- Always bring all the tools you might need
- Don't let some simple road-side repairs get in the way of a good day's ride.

good

I think you performed extraordinarily well. You say tire repair is no big deal, but the first time at roadside is a challenge. And your baptism under fire was a rear tire! Now, you're a veteran and you learned a key lesson about being prepared. Nice work.

Years of riding and I never had a flat while out on a ride. Then about two months ago I had the same thing happen to me that happen to you. I heard a bang and the tube had blown. I had everything I needed to fix a flat from a puncture. However, just like you my tube had split along a seam. No patching that and I had no tube with me. I had two, still in the box, new tubes at home but that was doing me no good out here on the road. So I walked my bike back home.

I now carry a tube in addition to my patch kit in my repair bag.

Half a wall of text for a flat fix? Wait till we hear about your first wheel build :p

I kid. I might post a thread if I rode 40 miles...

I hate it when tyres require a lever; I consider having to use one defeat. Aside from developing a whole bunch of techniques to maximise leverage over the bead, I've noticed a lot of tyres have excess rubber hanging off inside the bead - trim it off and the tyre will go on a lot easier. Careful to leave the rubber on the side of the bead intact though, otherwise it may not seat properly. Take care also not to damage the fabric plies of the casing around the bead. It's a lot easier to do with old tyres that have perished a bit, which is by the way, no reason to stop using them.



Someone punched your tyre flat?

Holy crap! ;)

The real test is how proud you feel tomorrow.

If all your tire takes is a little topping up, that's normal for a tire inflated with CO2. You did a good job.

If it's flat again, I wouldn't call it normal, but it's certainly common. You probably pinched the tube under one of the tire beads so you'll get a chance to practice some more.

Uh - next time try using your quick release skewer for an emergency tire lever. You'll always have it with you and it's less apt to damage your new tube than a screwdriver or allen wrench.

Thank you. I would have never thought to use the quick release skewer!

I will definitely be checking the tire tomorrow.

Ok I fixed it. Sometimes even the spell check will let the wrong word slip through.