Lessons learned regarding flats
05-08-13, 10:51 PM
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Lessons learned regarding flats
In the past couple years, I've only gotten maybe 7 or 8 flats. Most of them, thankfully, were not on my commutes. However, 2 of them occurred in the past 2 weeks on my commute home.
The first was my own stupidity - anxious to install and use my new rear wheel, I forgot to put the rim tape on. The fact that I had brought a spare tube didn't help much, since I forgot to bring the pump with me that day. Surprisingly I rode about 80 miles before any problems occurred.
The flat I got today was because of a heavy-duty staple in the road only about 2 miles from work. When I went to change the tube, I found that my "spare" was the one that had burst because of the lack of rim tape, which of course hadn't been patched. I'm glad I brought my patch kit with me.
Lessons learned:
1. Take your time, and install things the right way.
2. Don't leave your method of inflation at home.
3. Make sure your spare tube actually holds air.
4. Always carry a patch kit.
Each of them is basically a no-brainer, but I guess I've been a bit careless lately.
The first was my own stupidity - anxious to install and use my new rear wheel, I forgot to put the rim tape on. The fact that I had brought a spare tube didn't help much, since I forgot to bring the pump with me that day. Surprisingly I rode about 80 miles before any problems occurred.
The flat I got today was because of a heavy-duty staple in the road only about 2 miles from work. When I went to change the tube, I found that my "spare" was the one that had burst because of the lack of rim tape, which of course hadn't been patched. I'm glad I brought my patch kit with me.
Lessons learned:
1. Take your time, and install things the right way.
2. Don't leave your method of inflation at home.
3. Make sure your spare tube actually holds air.
4. Always carry a patch kit.
Each of them is basically a no-brainer, but I guess I've been a bit careless lately.
05-08-13, 11:34 PM
#2
Senior Member
I have a spare tube but no patch kit. I shall get one. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned.
05-08-13, 11:40 PM
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I got my first flat in five months tonight (or Sunday, depending on how you look at it). I had the road bike out on Sunday then hung it up without noticing a problem. When I grabbed it for an evening ride tonight the rear tire was at about 25 psi. Stupidly, I just pumped it up and hit the road. I didn't have a lot of time before having to pick my daughters up at Girl Scouts, but I thought I could squeeze in a quick ride. Seven miles into a planned 8 mile ride the rear tire was completely flat. Naturally I didn't bring a spare tube, so I got to jog the last mile.
My lesson: slow leaks can quickly become fast leaks when re-inflated.
My lesson: slow leaks can quickly become fast leaks when re-inflated.
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05-09-13, 06:58 AM
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In the past couple years, I've only gotten maybe 7 or 8 flats. Most of them, thankfully, were not on my commutes. However, 2 of them occurred in the past 2 weeks on my commute home.
The first was my own stupidity - anxious to install and use my new rear wheel, I forgot to put the rim tape on. The fact that I had brought a spare tube didn't help much, since I forgot to bring the pump with me that day. Surprisingly I rode about 80 miles before any problems occurred.
The flat I got today was because of a heavy-duty staple in the road only about 2 miles from work. When I went to change the tube, I found that my "spare" was the one that had burst because of the lack of rim tape, which of course hadn't been patched. I'm glad I brought my patch kit with me.
Lessons learned:
1. Take your time, and install things the right way.
2. Don't leave your method of inflation at home.
3. Make sure your spare tube actually holds air.
4. Always carry a patch kit.
Each of them is basically a no-brainer, but I guess I've been a bit careless lately.
The first was my own stupidity - anxious to install and use my new rear wheel, I forgot to put the rim tape on. The fact that I had brought a spare tube didn't help much, since I forgot to bring the pump with me that day. Surprisingly I rode about 80 miles before any problems occurred.
The flat I got today was because of a heavy-duty staple in the road only about 2 miles from work. When I went to change the tube, I found that my "spare" was the one that had burst because of the lack of rim tape, which of course hadn't been patched. I'm glad I brought my patch kit with me.
Lessons learned:
1. Take your time, and install things the right way.
2. Don't leave your method of inflation at home.
3. Make sure your spare tube actually holds air.
4. Always carry a patch kit.
Each of them is basically a no-brainer, but I guess I've been a bit careless lately.
