Flat tire adventures...

[bluerider]

I've gone and done it. Fixed my first flat!
On my way home from a 30km ride and psssssttttttt...the rear wheel goes as I climb out of the saddle up a hill...I had to ride on the deflated tire for a bit and was wondering if I could've done any permanent damage to the rim? Ideally would've like to stop but it's a narrow road and was more interested in getting somewhere safe to stop. Anyhoo, had to lug it home and change it. Am proud I figured it out (after an hour!) but am wondering now what would've happened if I was on the road with a hand pump. There is NO way I could've thrown 120 pounds of air into that tire. I guess most people just pump it enough to get them home?

[Geonz]

Yea, you can bang up a rim riding on a flat tire. Better to jog along with it (one reason I try & wear the industrial strength bra if there's a risk of that).

I keep the box along - the one with the directions on it :-) Otherwise I forget a step like, oh, checking the tire for the glass that got me so I get it fixed and then it goes flat right away.

Most people I know either give it enough to get it home or they have CO2 cartridges; I have a Road Morph that *will* do the high pressure even though it's bigger. Hey, I can handle the weight :-)

[bikerz]

I second the road morph endorsement - I have been able to get 120 pounds into a tire with that pump pretty easily...

[CorsairMac]

I had my first flat last Fri wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out in the middle of nowhere. I have been carrying a CO2 cartridge/pump combo that fits in my seat pack and the LBS kid that recommended - God Bless him!! All I had to do was pop the cartridge in, put the little pump on the valve and press the lever and wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I had so much pressure it shot the little bitty pump right our of my hands and across the parking lot!! Once I retrieved it I was ready for it and got my tire inflated and was rolling in nothing - ahh - flat?! LOL I'll swear by the CO2 pump/cartridge unit every time!!!

[wabisabi]

I third the co2 cartridge suggestion--I have the little inflater thing with it. I use the hand pump and finish up with the cartridge. You can also get little tire guages.

[bluerider]

Thanks ladies. Will pick up a few canisters this weekend at the LSB.

Happy riding!!!