First Flat
 

So I just got my first flat today on my Windsor 2.0 that I just got. Of course it was on my way to work. I have a spare tube and patch kit but have not changed a flat on this bike yet. So instead of messing with it for 20min.+ on the side of the road I threw the beatch on my shoulder and hiked the 1/4 mile home.

I was just planning on changing flats by hand, would it be better to get something to pry the tire off?

So my question, are flats an often occurance with road bike and skinny tires? The bike lanes of Portland are pretty treaturous with rocks, glass, and all sorts of debri. I think I ran over a pretty good size rock and I was flat about 5 seconds after that. I have these tires (Maxxis High pressure road 700c, presta valve tubes) and the guy at the bike shop told me they were good tires? Is there anything stronger I good get, or do i just need to be more careful when riding?

Thanks

tire levers are a must have for changing tires. you can buy cheap ones for about $1.50 a piece at any bike shop. you'll need at least 2, three makes it easier. keep them with the bike.

i'm sure someone else will chime in on a tougher tire for you, but running over large rocks is a sure-fire tire flattener with whatever tire...

Make sure your psi is up. If you get a flat rolling over a rock *typically* it's a pinch flat, meaning the pressure was too low. You want to be in the ballpark of 100-110 psi, generally.

Anyway, flats will inevitably happen. Just practice a few times at home.

I think your post is demeaning to men who like other men more than they like women. Bigot.

I found the most important thing for reducing flats, after experimenting with tire liners, gel filled tubes, Armadillo and other Kevlar lined tires, is simply this: don't ride thru crap! Stay off the outside of the shoulder, ride up near the white line or in the road when safe to do so. Watch where you're going. Avoid paths that are crushed stone instead of blacktop. It's a road bike, ride it on the road.

And keep your tire pressures up, I keep mine at the max setting. I still get the occasional flat, but not too often.

I feel your pain. I had two flats within the first 4 miles of my first metric about 3 weeks ago. Changing flats on the box rims of my old pug was cake and you could practically do it by hand. My new bike has skinnier aero rims and changing it was a pain the first time out. Needless to say I botched the job and pinched the first spare tube...for some reason that day I decided to bring a 2nd spare...After the first hack job I figured it out and did it right. Practice, practice, practice.

All sincere apologies, I did not mean to offend you or your partner. Thats just how I talk....sorry.

Thank you, will go buy 3 today.

Get the yellow Pedros levers.

I'v checked the pressure at least every other day and im not riding a whole lot. 8 miles yesterday after work and then i checked the pressure and aired up to 120psi on front and back, then it was 3 miles to my stop, and 2 miles before the flat this morning? I try to be very careful not to run over crap but.......i will try harder.

Why is that?

If you're going to commute you need to learn to change a flat relatively quickly. With a little practice, and the right tools it's easily done in under 5 minutes.

Flats aren't that common, but if you're commuting on a daily basis and can't change a flat, you can expect some long walks, and being late for work a few times a year.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AvcvS8tN7Ts

http://youtube.com/watch?v=i5K-DXt9djA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=j3nm8fHCPBU

They're wider and, I think, easier. They come in pairs; you'll only need two. I think I've been using them for 3-4 years and can't go back to skinny ones.

Thank you.

Two tire levers? The most I've ever used was one. Usually you don't even need that. You only need 2 if you're riding 20" wheels.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ghey

Give me a break. It's become a common, non-offensive term amongst people of a certain age.
And don't you dare accuse me of bigotry.

Nah. Soma levers are the best.

Wire beaded tires can be challenging. I regularly use 2 levers.

Real men don't need tire levers. Not that it matters, just saying...

Nothing personal, but that's a load of crap. It's an attempt to make an offensive use of a term (i.e. using "gay" to mean something bad) less offensive by spelling it differently.

Even the 3rd definition in the link you give makes it clear.

You may not intend it in a bigotted way, but it's sure as hell going to be taken that way.

+1. It's simply not a very precise or polite word. At the very least, it makes the user look extremely illiterate. Do you want people to look down on you because you can't write? (If not, don't use the word "ghey" ;))

When you're writing, even in conversational style, it's not a bad idea to aim for precision. If I were writing the original post, I probably would have said: "First flat... didn't have the right tools" or "First flat... very irritating". These convey extra meaning, won't offend anyone, and make you appear slightly educated ;)

I've heard that a certain word referring to African-Americans often thought to be extremely derogatory is now a common, non-offensive term among people of a certain age. Are we going to start throwing that one around in here?

Oh...now I get it. Ghey is not pronounced "fay". So how do you pronounce "****"? This interweb speak stuff confuses me.

People can use derogatory language without being bigoted. The fact is most of society needs to grow a thicker skin. I'm sure you shrug it off when someone uses the word "********" to describe something, and that can be just as offensive to the right population. I spent most of my early childhood in the states being called a "dumb pollack" - it was character building. However, there are certainly limits to how far you can take something before it becomes purposefully offensive.

That being said, the whole "ghey" versus "gay" thing is ********.