SwampDude

Double post. Sorry.

SwampDude

Riding mostly in Indiana and Florida, flats just don't happen a lot. Folks that have frequent flats, I believe, are ridin with too little air.

I have been whinin some about busted Presta valves. I've been putting on and taking off the floor pump nozzle the same way for years, but for some reason I've been breaking some Prestas during air up; the screw and nut break off. I'm buying good tubes. Haven't changed pumps. Go figure.

PS: I must be the oldest "Junior Member" in BF history. How do I get that changed to something appropriate, like Old Phart?

Savagewolf

I personally carry an extra tube, a small tiny box of tube patches, and a small cut retangle of an old tube to use as a sleeve. Some may think it's too much, but ever since I've done this I've never been caught out in the middle of nowhere due to flats.

Rx Rider

almost as sad as someone who hears "man up" and only hears man. let's all put on our big girl panties and then the OP's mean words won't hurt our feelers too badly. and he's right cell phones don't fix flats. vulcanized rubber fixes flats.

david58

Been my definition all along.

bikepro

You don't include the time you are stopped in your average speed -- especially time making repairs.

SwampDude

Duh. What purpose does the old tube sleeve serve? Seriously, I don't know.

Rx Rider

I'm guessing in case the tire is cut the sleeve will keep the tube from extending out of the tire. I've heard paper money will work for this also. I use those new style "glueless" patches for this, and old style for patching the tube. but the tube piece will work .

abstractform20

that is a pretty silly conclusion...although i do like the use of "enough".

double century with only one flat??? not riding enough.

ride around the block with 4 flats??? enough.

Bob Dopolina 

Again, AVE SPD related to flats is a poor metric.

What you should be focusing on is the TIME needed to change the flat.

SwampDude

Thanks. So you would patch the tube cut and wrap it with the piece of old tube inside the tire to strengthen the damaged area?

I'm so lazy, I carry new tubes for any kind of flat. Sometimes I fix the tube later, sometimes not.

Rx Rider

no when the TIRE is cut, the tube will bulge out of the cut. you need to put something inside the tire to stop it, money, tire patch or a small section of old tube.

SwampDude

Roger that, and thanks for your patience. Makes perfect sense. I guess tire slashes can happen, and without something to block the opening, the tube is likely to be exposed. I also see how a dollar bill might work to get you home.

ConradNaff

I have only had one flat-flat since 2008. Also in '08 I went through half a dozen Bontrager tubes in a couple weeks that were breaking at the valve or were broken out of the box, but I switched brands and haven't had a problem since.

The only thing to worry about 'round these parts is glass in the road.

Starchalopakis

WOW you are just too cool! I wish I was just like you!

Savagewolf

Rxrider has it right on. If my tire is cut too much, a little patch (I use the old tube cutout, some use a dollar, etc) it gives a tiny amount of protection for the new tube and keeps it from coming out of the tire. It's not something that you'd want to rely on, but it should be enough to get you home. It also takes up nearly zero space and weighs almost nothing.

ntjp

I got a slow puncture today midway through 120 miles, and it ruined my momentum for a while and pissed me off, and used up 3 of my co2 canisters 'cos the spare tube I had in my seatbag had a dodgy valve so I had to take it back out once I heard it hissing and puncture repair the punctured tube.

I completely and absolutely reserve my right to moan about this ****, and yes it's part of cycling and I am good at fixing this ****, but do I need to be happy that it happens......********** NO

jgrosser

"I've had nine on a century." WTF? Where were you riding?

banerjek

Was is truly a shard, or was it a tiny piece of wire? Wire bits from steel belted radials are a common source of flats, and they can be tricky to find and remove.

Big Lebowski

I've never had a flat, so I haven't fixed one. However, now that I am riding more for commuting it is bound to happen. I've read Sheldon Brown's directions, I have a patch kit, a 15 mm wrench and those lever things in my backpack, but I can't see myself doing my first repair on the side of the road or trail. I'll somehow make it to work or home and do it there. Both work and home have a pump. I need to get a mini-pump. Been thinking about a Pocket Rocket.

I believe that skill comes of doing. I guess I could practice changing a perfectly good tire, but that doesn't sound fun. I promise not to whine.

10 Wheels

Practice once at home.

You will benefit much.

elcruxio

Haven't had a flat in five years. But i'm assuming that i'll start getting those frequently when i swich for road tyres this summer.
The tyres i use now are actually 100% puncture proof (well maybe not 100% but so far no punctures while riding through tyre hell) but heavy as **** and about as comfortable as riding on rims.

But i'm still not gonna ride the lightest and fastest tyres around. Riding without decent puncture protection with my weight would just be dumb. Schwalbe durano plus for me please.

SwampDude

Such good advice. Fixing a flat is so fundamental to bicycling that I can't imagine getting far from home without knowing how to do it. Many bike shops have free weekend classes to teach fixin' flats. When you practice, do it with your rear wheel so you'll know whats involved with getting it back on and repositioning the chain. Your bike shop mechanic will share some tips that make the whole task easy, and then you'll be prepared.

For airing up after a flat, I use CO2 cartridges, and it's so easy. You just need to get something on board now for airing up. One thing we can promise is that the flats will come.

tmass

I use conti 4000s with forte thorn resistant tubes and mr. tuffy ultralight tire liners. And while I've changed tires I've not had a flat in 3 years. the tubes hold air tight...even though as practice I top off before each ride.

I do get practice changing tubes on my kid's bikes but they all moved up to full size bikes and wheels this year.

OldsCOOL

I tack on "suffer points".