Changed my first Flat!!
 

:lol:OK - This is really awesome!!! I was trying to read a friend the measurements for my tires - when I noticed that the fornt ties was flat (I was in the livingroom, mind you) . So after 2 glasses of wine he convinced me over the phone that I could change it!


And voila - no biggie. He walked me thorugh it - and it was actually quite simple. I must have nice and easy tires. We discovered the culprit. The silver thingy on the valve stem must of worn away the rubber - cause that is where the leak was at the bottom of the stem. So...he said those silver rings cna be trouble. This time I made sure once the tires was on that I only put the silver thingy on the valve stem half way.

OK - 3 cheers for me!!! Can anyone relate?? Has anyone not changed a flat yet??? I feel so prepared if (when) it happens again.... Thanks to Big Scott for walking me through the flat tire change on our ride.a while back..and ofcourse thanks to my friend who walked me through the flat tire change on my bike.

Oh well just thought I would share with my peeps.

It's a rite of passage. ;)

yay! :D

Congratulations!!

I had my first flat out on a ride a couple of weekends ago. Luckily I was still in the park on the way to the longer route I was planning. I was even able to sit on a bench to get it done. I feel so much more secure riding now that I know I can do it and won't have to walk miles home!

You did good.
Better than me.
I had a slow leak on the front tire Saturday during a 100 mile, 7.5 hour ride (3 hours in the rain).
It held during the entire ride.
Decide to fix it last night. Ended up with a New tire, The New Tire was so tight I had to use metal levers.
3 patches in a New tube, Three patches in the old tube.
( self Inflicted by Me ) remounted the tire 6 times.
Guess 2 glasses of wine would have helped?

Now, practise a few times, until you can do it when it's dark, cold, rainy, and your over tired, hungry and late for an important engagement...... I get about 1 flat a year, IIRC back when I was a kid, I got about 1 flat a year, and that was 30 years ago, so not much has changed......

Now you've just saved a bit of time and money in labor cost.

I had the same problem with "the little silver thingy." If you tighten them down too much they can cause a problem. I took the extreme route and just quit using them altogether. I don't use the little black caps on the valve stem either. Makes me look pro and saves rotating weight! :roflmao2:

Definitely! wine helps... I was told I have an easy tire to change....slipped right off and was easy to get the tube in and then the tire (seeded...seated....whatever!)

IF it went that easy your FIRST time, you have an easy tire to change, or great skill!
Seat, not seed.

Don't leave the valve stem nut threaded half way up the valve stem, it will rattle and distract your attention from the killer ride you're having. Just toss it or put it in your seat bag, it's used to make putting the pump on the valve stem easier, but you can squeeze the tire with your thumb to keep the valve steady when putting the pump nozzle on, so I just throw those nuts away.

This is the last time you will have an easy flat repair in your home with wine. The next 50 will be on the road and won't be so easy. But after 20 or so, you will be able to do it in under 5 minutes.

Good job!

What? No pictures???:D

I think I do have an easier tire to change! Yay! seat got it!... Thanks