Flat tire - What to expect????
 

I'm new to the road biking scene. So, what should I expect when I'm crusing down a hill at a descent speed and one of the tires go flat? I hear a lot of talk about flats and I just wanted to know what to expect.

With a good tyre, flats are fairly rare, but it helps to be prepared.
Ive had an explosive blowout on the front (split tyre!!), and maintained control. Dont panic. You need to identify which tyre it is and avoid braking on that wheel.
Pick a straight line and ease your good brake on. If you have to corner, take it wide and ease off the brakes.
You can practice emergency braking with one brake. Dont try to stop quickly, but pick a safe line.
If you do have to crash the bike, try and allow a good runout. You get hurt worse from a sudden stop, than from a slide along a road. If you go down, relax, keep your hands, elbows and head tucked in, and take the fall on your shoulder.

Most of the time, it'll be your rear wheel that goes flat. If it's just the tube that fails, you'll just feel the bikes handling get mushy and it'll sound abnormal. Naturally, the rear wheel is a little more tricky to change, but it's not too bad. I always carry an old athletic sock in my seat bag to use when handling the chain so I don't get the bars all dirty when I get back on the road. Happy cycling!

Get a good kevlar belted tire and you should not really have to worry about it that much. Before you ride and when you stop check the tires. That way if there is something in the tire you can pull it out before it works through the belting.
Since I went to kevlar I have passed through a lot of debris and not gotten a flat yet (knock on wood). Thats over 2000 miles. Pre kevlar I was guaranteed at least one flat a month.:)

Always check the tires before you leave on the ride...even take a paper towel and just dust them off...

I find flats are mostly based on luck...on my old bike i had older mavic rims and decent continental tires. I think i went over 4 months without flatting...and this was riding at least 4 times a week

I got a new bike last month...Michelin Pro-Race tires...have put 600 miles on it...and flatted twice in the past week. At least there was reason though. First time I found a staple in the tire...and yesterday I found a tiny piece of glass.

Flats don't usually make you lose control though...either the front or rear wheel (whichever flatted) might feel numb for a few seconds and the rear might start to "thump"...but you should be ok...

And don't forget to unclip! ;)