kwhman

I'm fairly new to this biking game - only a couple of months but I love it. Already have three bikes (counting wifes) and would buy more if I had room. Being a newbie, I have read a lot, incl advice on carrying a flat repair kit and learning how to use it. BUT that couldn't happen to me could it?

Lots of rain and a busy schedule resulted in only two very short rides this week so today we load up for a longer ride on our favorite bike paths in Peachtree City. Weather was great - even a little cloudy, so nice and cool. Things are going well and I am even noticing my rear end feels more comfortable than usual when I notice something feels funny. My wife looks and yells "your back tire is flat!". No amount of pumping would bring it back to life so had to walk it back to truck and load up for the ride back home.

Oh well, something new to learn and new stuff to buy.

- Kwhman

BeckyW

I had that kind of flat last weekend. Turned out wheel was out of true and had worn a hole in my TIRE! Hope you get it fixed quickly and cheaply, so you can ride again!

East Hill

Fixing a flat is fun...fixing a flat is fun...fixing a flat is fun...keep repeating that until the flat is fixed, and you'll do just fine .

I have a bike on which the rear tyre is dreadful to put back on. I will hope that you don't have that happen, that's when you start muttering bad things under your breath.

East Hill

Tom Stormcrowe

And a knowledge of Gaelic curses is fantastic! No language is more expressive of a curse than Scots Gaelic!

East Hill

I don't know...German has those nice gutteral sounds that are so expressive...

but I'm still thinking positive thoughts that kwhman has already gotten himself back on the road, smiling the entire time he was repairing the damage .

East Hill

Scummer

Yep.. swearing in German has definitely more omph to it

bongo_x

carry a patch kit and a pump even though you'll hardly ever need them.
wear a helmet and hopefully you won't need that either.

but when you do... you'll be so happy with yourself.

bb

Terrierman

Never leave home without the stuff you need to get you back. Fixing a flat is one of the necessary things that comes with riding a bike. A CO2 inflator is a big help to go along with the frame pump, patches tire levers and spare tube that you will also be carrying, just in case you need them. Fixing a flat beats walking.

bongo_x

but don't leave those things on the trail when you're done or I'll kick your ass. I don't know what kind of moron can't figure out how to carry those back out with them when they carried them in in the first place.

bb

CliftonGK1

The same inconsiderate people who leave their old tubes, empty gu packets, and plastic backing from patches on the side of the trail.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the CO2 inflators because of the one-shot lifespan they have. I know my pump will work, and even if I get 20 flat tires, my pump will not run out of air. (although, my arms would get really tired after pumping up about 5 of them.)

kwhman

Yes I am riding again. I was riding my Townie when this happened as I am waiting for a new bar for my Gary Fisher Montare. the Montare is still ridable and I will be on it tonight. The new bar is to try to get me a little less bent over when riding - just not comfortable that way yet. (or maybe I was just looking for an excuse to ride something that didn't involve a Brooks B67 being broken in!) I went ahead and let my LBS fix tire since he needed to do 60 day tune up anyway. I do have a Crank Bros Power Pump Pro on the way and will pick up some tire levers and tubes. Next flat is on me!

- Kwhman

v1k1ng1001

A very attractive woman asked if she could be of assistance the last time I flatted. It can be a good thing!

Wogster

I've always been of the opinion, you pack it in, you pack it out. The only exception, is if there are suitable refuse containers around, and in that case, use them. If there are not, pack it out until you do find one, most trails have refuse containers at the trail head, and public streets often have them near transit stops, or in public parks.

What I would like to see, is a CO² cartridge that was refillable, or a program where the LBS would take back the empty disposable cartridges, so they could be recycled. The again, if it's metal, and all of the gas is removed, it probably can be recycled, just check with your local municipal recycling program. I know disposable propane cylinders can't be, they need to be dropped at a hazardous waste depot, mind you that's another thing, where they should really be refillable.









then again, my frame pump has the capacity to fill an infinite number of tires, and leaves no refuse behind. Okay, so the pressure would be a little low, but should be high enough to get me home, if I ride carefully and light.




Now tubes are different, since a 2¢ patch can fix a $5 tube, it's stupid to leave one behind.

bongo_x

I was in rei and I overheard a new bike owner and an employee talking. I don't know what all he was buying but he asked if he should buy a patch kit and the employee told him "no, no one does that anymore. tubes are so cheap you should just buy a new one if it flats."

jeez. because the cost to you personally, in dollars, is the only thing that matters.

bb

ang1sgt

Argh...That frosts me! Tubes have always been cheap so what does that mean? I still say Fix the tube when you get home and are in a cleaner environment. Let things cure for a day and pump it up. If it works, roll it up and stash it in a sock and put it back in your tool bag.

If it's more that a few years old, or has more than a few repairs, THEN make the decision to toss it.

I really thought REI was more into re-cycling than most places...

Terrierman

Why would you assume I would do that and second, feel free to come on up to Spokane Missouri and TRY and kick my ass. You might or might not get it done. Moron yourself.

Spartan112

Swearing in Korean is also quite expressive.

East Hill

Is it? I work with quite a few Koreans, and I don't think I've ever heard any of them say anything that I would interpret as an oath. Of course, the Koreans I know are mostly women, perhaps that's why?

East Hill