*%!# Flat! &$^# Wire! *&$#@ Tire!
 

So I'm rollin' along on my way to work this morning when I realize I'm riding on the rim. How the tire went flat without my even realizing it I can't imagine. I was close enough to work 1-1.5 miles that I debated whether to fix the flat or just walk the rest of the way. Having decided to fix it I proceeded to skin my knuckles very nicely trying to get the very tight tire off. Once it was off I thankfully remembered to feel inside for something sticking through. Sure enough a tiny piece of wire. I struggled for about 5 minutes and just couldn't get it out. Too small to get a grip on, and I haven't been carrying a pair multitool with pliers. So back on goes the tire, and I wind up walking anyway!

The thing that REALLY frosts me is my own stupidity. I had grabbed this spare wheel to put on for a couple of days while having a wheel rebuilt. I was pretty sure it did not have a Mr. Tuffy liner and thorn resistant tube, my flat reduction armor, but I figured "What the heck, it's only a couple of days. SURELY I won't get a flat in just a couple of days." I was pressed for time when I did the swap but it would only have taken about two extra minutes to put the tire/liner/tube from the other wheel on. I had already taken it off. But NOOOO, Rainman has to take the gamble. So for lack of a 2 minute investment, I spent nearly 30 walking my bike. By the way, I was very thankful I wear mtb shoes for commuting!

We've all had similiar episodes, what makes this funny is your signature. If you're the power, why not just will the wire out.:D

Alas, my power only applies to the pedals, and there is precious little of that. BUT, since it's all I have, I AM the power! :D

When I lived in Texas the little wire flat was very common for me. The wire comes from truck tires that fly apart. Anyway if I couldn't pull the wire out with my fingers I would "tweeze" it with my front teeth. Not exactly the healthiest thing but hey, it worked.

You ARE the power!

:D

20 minutes spent fixing a flat that culminated in my tweezing the wire out of the tread led me to include a tiny set of tweezers in my emergency kit. It must work, haven't had a flat since!

Oso

Oh boy are those famous lasts words or what?

I just realized that my logic was actually correct. I did ride for a couple of days without a flat. It was (literally) the THIRD day that the flat occurred. I feel MUCH better now. :rolleyes:

i go cheap on the flat protection, i cut down an old set of tires to use as liners and filled the tubes with slime. works for me