Lessons learned regarding flats
05-08-13 | 10:51 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas, CA
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc; Trek 7.5 FX
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 | 11:40 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,103
Likes: 4,733
From: Beaverton, OR
Bikes: Yes
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
#4
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
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.
