Go to place for bike repair know how in my opinion. Only problem is you will end up buying too many tools.
https://www.parktool.com/repair/byreg...mageField2.y=9
Also a favorite around here. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/

As for where to buy stuff. There is an amazon link to one of the mini pumps. But the general sources for buying stuff online are www.performancebike.com, www.probikekit.com, nashbar, coloradocyclist, competive cyclist. There is also someone associated with backcountry.com (www.realcyclist.com and there one deal at a time site bonktown.com).

How to:
Wipe tire down and inflate. Many times you will be able to see or hear the leak. A little soapy water helps.
Mark leak and pull out the offending debris.
Deflate tire and pry off one side. Remove tube. If you didn't find the cause of the leak remove the tire and examine the inside.
If you didn't find the leak inflate the tube again and use the soapy water to find it.
Dry tire and lightly sand the area.
Apply glue and let dry for 2-5min then apply the patch.
Let dry overnight. But I have used patched tires within 20 minutes with no problems.

I wipe my tires after every ride and look for those nasty little wires from ruined car and truck tires. Better to remove debris before you get the flat. I think I have cut my flats in half by doing this post ride ritual.

..and otherwise if I'm replacing the tube, just throw it in and go? I figured there would be more of a science to it-- how susceptible are the average rims to bending? Is it possible to get everything on and off of the rim without the tire lever?

I started using no-glues about a year ago and heard some discontent from others. I couldn't figure out what the fuss was. Mine worked very well. Now I see they are not very durable. I've gone back to the rubber and glue method. THAT is durable.

This has not been my experience. At >50F and <90% humidity, a thin film of rubber cement will dry enough to apply patch in less than 3 minutes. Usually 1.


+1 on setting the tire label in the same spot every time. Finding the relation of the leak in the tube to the tire/rim really narrows it down.

With the experience level you indicate. I would recommend getting your kit hung on the bike, riding it into the yard/driveway/park VERY nearby and using the kit on the bike to remove wheel, tire, and tube. (Even slap a patch on it if you want) Then re-install. That way, you know you have the necessary gear.
If you break it down into smaller pieces, it may be easier to work it out...
Checklist... go through each one and proof.
1. Can I get the wheel off/on the bike? On some bikes, one can't get the wheel free of the brakes if the tire is inflated. (Like when you've patched it and pumped it up.)
2. Can I get the tire off the wheel?
3. Can I pump up the tube to find a leak?
4. Can I patch a leak?

Answer yes to all and go ride. A lot.

My preference was always glueless patches. But I came from the MTB side.

I gave up on trying to locate a hole on the trail ( great story about a double flatting, fading sunlight, no water and a head full of aromatherapy materials...), so I carry an extra tube ( OK I used a shallow creek to locate the hole in the tube and then patched it).

How do you find a hole in a tube out on the road???

+1 to the minimum supplies lists above.

Some bike shops offer "clinics" on simple bike maintenance. I know my LBS recently had a "how to fix a flat" clinic. If your store has one, take it.

Edit: I see your post about no LBS. Never mind.

cell phone; road flares & helium balloons

Feel. Pump it up and unless it is really cold you can feel the air rushing out of the tube to figure out were to fix it. Also once you have a general area you can stretch the tube a little and the whole will open up.

Short answer Yes. Long answer kinda, you need hands to be pretty strong. My palm by the thumb also ends up hurting and it takes a while. Some of it depends on the tire and the wheel as well as the all important how long the tire has been installed. I find a fresh wheel from the package hard to install, but once the tire has been on for 6+ months it is much easier to put on and off. The worse set was a pair of Armadillos that I left partially on the wheel with the tube inflated to stretch it out some so I could get it on the next day, that was with tire levers are home, with cursing. I find cursing helps.

I pulled off and reinstalled two tires last night (installing new rim tape). I have sore fingers today and that was with levers. Some tire beads are harder to manipulate than others.

in addition if you lick your lips, you'll notice the air coming out of the hole more easily.

Maybe the bigger MTB tubes are different?? I have a hard time finding the hole when I'm sitting in my living room, much less soaked in sweat with my heart rate @ 160 BPM sitting on a curb somewhere....

Do they make tiny cans of Fix A Flat for bikes???

I'm going to put this out there so we don't have people licking their lips and rubbing inner tubes on their body on the side of the road or trail.

'cept maybe if she's hawt...

Anyway... Put the tube up near your face somewhere. If it is quiet, listen as well. It is much easier to feel the air on your cheek or lips than "elsewhere".

I like this video- basic bike repairs and maintenance, in a user friendly, visual format for $20!
https://www.bikegaragedvd.com/

and how to change a flat tire:

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

Yup.

Why do many people carry 2 or more levers? I am always able to slip tires on/off with a single tire lever. I always carry an extra tube, small patch kit, a single tire lever and a micro pump. I have CO2, but to me it is a complete waste (unless racing or in a club ride) when you can pump up your tire for free.

Levers:
https://www.pedros.com/levers.htm
Pump:
https://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Pumps/MicroRocketAL
Patch kit:
https://www.parktool.com/products/det...17&item=VP%2D1

You can fit two tubes, three tyre levers and a mini pump in one pocket of a jersey, I'm a minimalist and I think that's pretty minimal and much better than being stuck miles from home(I carry a cell phone in one of the other pockets).

I like to put one lever in pop the bead out and leave it then work the other one around the tire until the bead is completely off. Also if you snap a lever you still good.

Because a nylon lever weighs nothing so why not have 2........

Ok, so here comes the next ******** question of the day: How would I attach this mini-pump to my bike? I see that some bolt on, but do you guys normally just strap it on the frame somehow?

https://www.performancebike.com/webap...mmaryOnly=true

Another stupid question-- What size tube do I need? ( *sigh* I know.. I feel like an idiot even asking.)

And last one-- Why would you bother going through the trouble of patching a tire on the road and waiting when you could just throw another tube in and patch your hole when you're home?





I don't remember the last time I was this ignorant on a forum-- Thanks everyone!

That's friggin' sweet! Do pumps come with that, or is that extra?

A tip for the minimalists: Many styles of quick release levers can be used as tire irons.

It should say on your tire sidewalls.

If you didn't bring, or already used, your spare tube.