Tire repair...

Ok, so I finally got my first flat. And I had those darned CO2 cartridges (that is all I had, duh!) but the adapter I had for them needs the threaded cartridges. The ones I bought this time weren't threaded - how the heck do you use those?? I had practiced with the threaded ones no problem last year!

Anyways, I bought the crank brothers mini pump - looky HERE for some crappy, many crappy reviews! Anyone used it or have ideas on how to get the freakin' thing to work? I'm not happy with paying $44 and not being able to use it on the road.

Anyways, another problem I have is getting that pump or my regular pump to fit onto the new tube's valve. I can get my floor pump to pump it up, barely. But no way with the mini pump, maybe that's the problem? The valve on the new tube is way shorter than the other one (the ones that came with the bike). What is up with that? Is there a variation in valve size? LBS never mentioned anything like that... agh, so frustrated! I will ask them later today when I go get new cartridges. Of the threaded kind.

On top of that, I forgot my helmet and can't ride at work today!!! Argh... will have to wait till after work I suppose... What a day!

Valve stems do come in different lengths.

Sorry I don't know about the CB pump. Non-threaded cartridges just pop on in if your pump can take them.