I went for a ride, got about 7 miles in and then I got a flat, and it was a bad one, gashed open the tire pretty good. I'll need a new back tire. Anyways...I took a pic while sitting there waiting for a ride since I had a shcrader tube and needed a presta tube

To prevent this from happening next time, drill out your rims to fit schrader tubes. A presta valve will fit, and the slightly larger diameter will also fit schrader tubes. No problem anymore.

You've had yer run of bad luck mate. Finally got your spokes fixed and your tyre goes. Better check your seat post before you head out next time bluey.

Remember this the next time there is a Presta Vs. Shrader debate thread.

My front wheel is a Schrader and my rear WAS Schrader. I got my new wheel and it's presta, I may drill it out considering the Schrader holds high air pressure better for me.

Also if you bring a presta tube as a spare it will work in either size hole. This is handy if you have other riders with you, then you can fit most bikes.

Flats do suck. I had two of them on Friday and then my wife's tire went flat on Saturday after I pumped it up for our ride. To make matters worse the stem on the spare tube was too short for her Rolf wheels so I had to remove the tube from one of my tires because it had a long enough stem. Did I mention that flats suck?!

sounds like you ought to carry spare bike

Yeah I know. Friggin' crap

I don't blame you for being about a flat.

But, at least you were on a bike ride in the first place. Better than being home ?

What's funny is...it's so ahrd to convince myself sometimes to get out of the house, but I never regret it.

I know EXACTLY what you mean. After some ride time everything is a little better. A little exercise seems to cheer up just about anyone. Me included.

I'm kind of a techno geek, if I'm not in a hurry I look at a flat as practice for the next time. Of course I'm better at fixing flats than I really wanted to be. but if I'm on a ride with a group I can fix a flat for someone else, if they can't. That is usually appreciated.

Flats do suck.

Everythings going great, and then you hear the dreaded "hsssssss" coming from a tire.

I don't regret getting out of the house, either (this weekend's rain fest...stinks!!).

Have you noticed that the flat "gods" LOVE road bikes and/or ultralight (fitness-type) hybrids above all other bikes?? Must be something about 700c wheels and road bike (especially Presta-valve) tubes that attract the "sharpies" that can ruin a ride! ("Sharpies" can include ill-shielded spokes and/or valve holes that need chamfering of their "rough" edges!!)

You just brought back to mind the day I had to repair TWO flats on my Sequoia within 7 miles of each other...one at home before I left, and the other about the aforementioned seven miles out! The second had top be repaired on the grass, next to the road, in the hot sun...and I'm NOT the world's fastest flat fixer!!
(Most of my bikes are very well behaved re: avoiding flats, and I don't get much practice as a result! ) Got my ride in anyway, but, still...!!

You need a wife and kids. They will convince you.

... maybe get a flat in the rain...maybe change a diaper while two other people are screaming..hmmm?
what to do?