Horrible commute ride.
08-25-18 | 02:45 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
Horrible commute ride.
As I left work yesterday (Friday), late already, my front tire flatter before I was 200m from the bike rack. Pushed back a bit to have a bench to work at, patched the tube.
4km later, front flat again. Change to my spare tube, hop on. Seems to be low, so I stop to top up a little, slip while pumping, and bend the valve core. It breaks when I turn the nut after trying to straighten it, but seems to be holding air. I put my zefal hpx back on the bike, and coast down to the lock to cross the canal. As I'm carrying my bike across the lock, my pump falls in the drink. Forgot to put velcro strap on.
I got home fine, but took a while and really frustrating.
Still better than driving in traffic.
4km later, front flat again. Change to my spare tube, hop on. Seems to be low, so I stop to top up a little, slip while pumping, and bend the valve core. It breaks when I turn the nut after trying to straighten it, but seems to be holding air. I put my zefal hpx back on the bike, and coast down to the lock to cross the canal. As I'm carrying my bike across the lock, my pump falls in the drink. Forgot to put velcro strap on.
I got home fine, but took a while and really frustrating.
Still better than driving in traffic.
08-26-18 | 06:24 AM
#5
On Holiday
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 15
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes
Almost the same thing happened to me once but with the addition that I had the flat during a downpour. Took me five minutes to find an area out of the rain. Replaced the tube and bent/broke the valve stem though in my case, I did not have sufficient pressure in the tire to hold the tub closed and the inner part fell into tube. I was so fed up that I called the wife for a ride - only the second time in decades of commuting. The other time was when my handlebar broke.
Yes, these challenges are character-building and anything is better than driving in traffic. Your thread title should have been "horrible, but could have been worse"
Yes, these challenges are character-building and anything is better than driving in traffic. Your thread title should have been "horrible, but could have been worse"
Last edited by Hoopdriver; 08-26-18 at 06:34 AM.
08-26-18 | 08:19 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,633
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
08-26-18 | 12:21 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 2,217
As I left work yesterday (Friday), late already, my front tire flatter before I was 200m from the bike rack. Pushed back a bit to have a bench to work at, patched the tube.
4km later, front flat again. Change to my spare tube, hop on. Seems to be low, so I stop to top up a little, slip while pumping, and bend the valve core. It breaks when I turn the nut after trying to straighten it, but seems to be holding air. I put my zefal hpx back on the bike, and coast down to the lock to cross the canal. As I'm carrying my bike across the lock, my pump falls in the drink. Forgot to put velcro strap on.
I got home fine, but took a while and really frustrating.
I hope Monday is better for you. Cheers
Still better than driving in traffic.
4km later, front flat again. Change to my spare tube, hop on. Seems to be low, so I stop to top up a little, slip while pumping, and bend the valve core. It breaks when I turn the nut after trying to straighten it, but seems to be holding air. I put my zefal hpx back on the bike, and coast down to the lock to cross the canal. As I'm carrying my bike across the lock, my pump falls in the drink. Forgot to put velcro strap on.
I got home fine, but took a while and really frustrating.
I hope Monday is better for you. Cheers
Still better than driving in traffic.
08-26-18 | 02:03 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
Between 16 and 20km, depending on route - the 20km route involves a lot more bike path and less stopping - it's my summer route. The shorter is passable in the winter.
Yea, not a huge deal anyway, I've got a lot of flexibility in hours.
08-26-18 | 02:14 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
The original flat was a small tear on the inside of the tube, and some of the spokes seemed a little loose, so I pulled out the truing stand and tried to get everything to an even tension, true and round. I got it done, and then thought about how long it's been that I've had that wheel and have never greased the bearings, so I did that as well. It's an AlexRims R500 with a Shimano H-2200 hub, everything looked good with no sign of contamination.
Now if I could only figure out what I'm doing wrong patching tubes...... I've never had enough flats to practice much, but I think I need to get it figured out. I almost never have them last very long on road tires.
Now if I could only figure out what I'm doing wrong patching tubes...... I've never had enough flats to practice much, but I think I need to get it figured out. I almost never have them last very long on road tires.
08-26-18 | 02:15 PM
#14
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
We all have those days once in a while. Those days makes up truly appreciate the other ones. You may want to consider a pump like the Topek Road Morph, it has a hose, which makes damaging the valve stem less likely than with the Zefal. I wanted to put a Zefal on my LHT when I got it, since I had one for many years on a differen bike, and it worked well, and of course the LHT has a pin for a frame pump. The old bike has Schrader valves though, and are harder to damage with a pump. I went with the Road Morph instead and really like it.
08-26-18 | 07:06 PM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 2,217
I was the same way, but I have to say, I am very happy with the Road Morph. I think the fact you pump it like a foot pump helps make up for the lack of volume.
08-26-18 | 09:21 PM
#16
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 325
Likes: 59
From: Spokane Area
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Warbird, (Specially Love my) 2021 Salsa Cutthroat, 2012 Surly LHT, 2015 Surly Cross-Check, 2008 Giant OCR A1, 2005 Leader 735R, 2005 Gary Fisher Montare, 1991 Nishiki Pueblo,
The original flat was a small tear on the inside of the tube, ......
Now if I could only figure out what I'm doing wrong patching tubes...... I've never had enough flats to practice much, but I think I need to get it figured out. I almost never have them last very long on road tires.
Now if I could only figure out what I'm doing wrong patching tubes...... I've never had enough flats to practice much, but I think I need to get it figured out. I almost never have them last very long on road tires.
Last edited by Eds0123; 08-27-18 at 07:33 PM.
08-27-18 | 06:15 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 212
Bikes: Mongoose Crossway, Bianchi Grizzly, Cannondale F700,
I know people log these kind of miles in and more on their commutes but 25 miles round trip a day is a haul.
I doubt you are hanging 2X12 Greenboard all day.
I doubt you are hanging 2X12 Greenboard all day.
08-27-18 | 11:34 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 718
Likes: 41
Bikes: Specialized Diverge E5 Comp, Specialized AWOL Comp, Scott Solace 10
The hose eliminates the risk of damaging the tube stem as well. Highly recommended.
08-27-18 | 05:47 PM
#21
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
No, I'm not doing labour, I'm an engineer now. I do know how to work though, 10 years enlisted before I decided the knees had had enough.
08-27-18 | 05:48 PM
#22
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
09-05-18 | 02:39 PM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Bikes: 2011 Surly LHT, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2004 Giant Cypress, 1990 Simoncini Super Professional
I've learned the hard way to take my time after repairing a flat. In my haste to get going, I've left behind tire levers, inflators, patch kits, etc.
Like you did, it helps to push the bike to more comfortable work conditions where the repair is less stressful, and hopefully you'll remember to put all your stuff back the right way.
Like you did, it helps to push the bike to more comfortable work conditions where the repair is less stressful, and hopefully you'll remember to put all your stuff back the right way.
09-10-18 | 04:14 PM
#24
Full Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
i can vouch for the road morph. plus the customer service is top notch. once i called them saying i needed to order a new hose assembly, as i broke the thumb lever that fastens the tire valve to the pump. the customer rep said "no problem i'll send out a new one right away and there's no charge". i told him the pump was 9 years old!.good people to deal with.
09-16-18 | 08:20 PM
#25
Thread Starter
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 210
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
I ordered the road morph. Used it today after some wheel repair as a test, I am quite pleased. Thanks for the recommendations.
