Question about flat tires

I stopped to talk to a girl on the riding trail who had a flat. We both had Giant OCR1s and her back tire was completely flat. I live just a few shorts miles from where she was to I went and got my car and took her home. She had already walked for miles and had forgotten her cell.She said I was the only person who had bothered to ask if she needed help.

Anyway, neither of us knew how to use the tire/air stuff in our bag that came with our bikes. Do any of you know where I can find instruction about how to use those short tubes that came with my bike (have no idea what they are called). I guess I could go to the bike shop and get them to show me, but I'd rather see if I can find info on here or the internet first. I'm sure some of you who have a Giant OCR1 know what I'm talking about.

Thanks!

I have a Cannodale, but I'll take a stab at clarifying.
By "short tubes" do you metal cylinders about the size of very large finger? These are Co2 cartridges. I use an air pump, so I can't help out. I would go back to the shop and make them show you how to change a flat with tools you have.
Some links that may help:
http://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=100
and:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/flats.html

thank you so much, I found an old link on here about the CO2 cartridges.

thanks again

rivergrl... wow, bike etiquette says that you ALWAYS ask someone who is stopped if they're OK. Sorry to hear people passed her without checking.

Here in San Diego, the local LBS's offer free beginner maintenance classes. You may want to check and see if any near you offer that. They teach you how to fix a dropped chain, how to change a flat, both front and rear, how to use a patch kit, how to use CO2, how to make minor derailleur adjustments to prevent chain hop (common as a new bike breaks in) etc...

good luck and you have earned some good bike Karma by stopping to help someone! :)

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Originally Posted by rivergrl

I'm sure some of you who have a Giant OCR1 know what I'm talking about.

Thanks!

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Just curious, how does the flat being on a Giant OCR1 cause extra problems.

Somebody posted a link today with some pictures. I'll have to go look. I always to to Park Tool first.

Try the link in this thread :
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8998

If your LBS will teach you that's the best route. Having someone watch you do it yourself and give some coaching is really good.

I got a flat the other day, and I was really surprised that none of the cyclists asked if I needed anything. Some of the walkers stopped to chat. I provided them with some entertainment, I guess. A woman from the neighborhood was over feeding the ducks, and she offered to drive me home :)

Anyway, fortunately I was prepared. A CO2 cartridge might have helped, but the tube needed to be patched or replaced first.

It occured to me that the LBS should warn new riders, maybe have a handout they can give away, on how to get the tube out, fix it, and put it back. Until you get a flat, I can imagine that new riders don't think it will happen. It doesn't happen in cars often. :)

Most decent bike shops will give you instructions on how to change a tire. You should ALWAYS carry a tube (that will work on your bike); tire irons, a patch kit in case you get multiple flats; and a way to pump up the tire whether it is a co2 cartridge kit or if it is a pump that fits on your bike.

I've even had a flat on a 5 mile trip to work so no trip is too short to carry your stuff.

Don't just let them show you how to change the tire tho. What will happen is you will go out thinking you know how and then you will not be able to do something on the road. Go home after being shown how to change your tire. Sit in the living room or wherever and practice 1. getting wheel off of bike (both wheels they are different), remember to loosen your brakes or disengage brakes on a mountain bike 2. taking off the tire and removing the tube 3. putting the tube back into the tire; 4. pumping the tire back up; 5. if you are using co-2, go ahead waste a cartridge to make sure you can use it on the road; 6. put the wheel back on the bike 7. don't forget to check your brakes before you ride (either reattach them on a mountain bike or put them on the tight setting on your road bike.

It is really important for your safety to know how to do this! I wish I could do a video (no video camera:( ) instruction and put on this site. I have given instruction on this many times!

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Originally Posted by spokewench

It is really important for your safety to know how to do this! I wish I could do a video (no video camera:( ) instruction and put on this site. I have given instruction on this many times!

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There are instructions on this site (no video though):
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp

Also at this site you can download a podcast video.

http://www.bettybikegear.com/tips.aspx

Before I could drive a car (after I got my license), my dad made me change each tire once and drive 1500 miles with him...best advice EVER.

Bike shops should not let customers leave the store without showing them how to change a flat--front AND back. It can be dangerous out there if you get a flat and are helpless.

There are lots of good links provided here, so please PLEASE learn to change a flat. Practice at home until you are comfortable with it. Take a class at a local LBS or REI if you have to. A little bit of self-sufficiency goes a long way.

Ride fast and have fun (and learn how to change flats!)

Thanks Teddyparker, that was a great link...I actually think I could change a tire! And I was totally clueless.

I am glad you found it useful. I actually needed to use it the other day when
I found my rear tire flat. Thank goodness I was home and I could pause and replay the video to get me though it.

I was having this discussion with my BF a couple of days ago. Some on another forum asked whether people tended to patch or replace? It came up because he came upon a women with a flat, who needed help because she had given her last tube to someone else and didn't know you could patch a tire and was completly amazed when the guy did it for her. So, do you patch or replace? BTW, I just tried a sticker patch, that DID NOT work. I'm going back to glue.

I patch if I can find the hole. I use the Park sticker patches with no problem. I've even patched over another patch and put a few hundred more miles on. I patched a tube for someone a couple brevets ago- he was concerned about running out of tubes, but leery of patching, but then broke the stem on his oast remaining tube. Time for a patch!!

Nanci

Nanci, I can NEVER find the hole! Maybe it's old eyes.

I take two tubes with me. I've had flats where the replacement tube had a defect (usually around the valve).

You've received some GREAT advice about sitting in your living room & practicing. The rear wheel can be difficult if you have never done it before.

I'm surprised nobody asked to help! What is this world coming to? :mad: I always slow down and call out "Got everything you need?" If it is a women who appears to be struggling, I'll stop. Another good reason to carry two tubes - I've been able to give away a tube to hapless cyclists.

Karma is a good thing! :D

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

Nanci, I can NEVER find the hole! Maybe it's old eyes.

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You need to put air in the tube to find the hole. Don't depend on your eyes. Use the "look, listen, and feel" method (you can tell that I used to be a CPR instructor). Hold it up to your ear until you hear a hiss, then put it near your cheek to feel for escaping air. When you find the area, stretch the tube so the hole can be seen more easily. If that fails, go home and try the bathtub.

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Originally Posted by DebW

If that fails, go home and try the bathtub.

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Great advice! Drown the little bugger that ruined my ride!

http://www.marathonind.com/solid.html this site has a new type of tire that some of the guys I know use and they seem happy with them

Blood

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Originally Posted by Bloodsng

http://www.marathonind.com/solid.html this site has a new type of tire that some of the guys I know use and they seem happy with them

Blood

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There's another version at http://www.airfreetires.com/. I know a commuter who used these. They don't get flats, but they are heavy, and they are a bear to get on the rim (the company provided a tool to do it). To quote Sheldon Brown:

"Of all the inventions that came out of the bicycle industry, probably none is as important and useful as Dr. Dunlop's pneumatic tire.

Airless tires have been obsolete for over a century, but crackpot "inventors" keep trying to bring them back. They are heavy, slow and give a harsh ride. They are also likely to cause wheel damage, due to their poor cushioning ability. A pneumatic tire uses all of the air in the whole tube as a shock absorber, while foam-type "airless" tires/tubes only use the air in the immediate area of impact."

The guy I know who used them broke a rim.