Last night I was out doing an easy ride on the nearby rail-trail when I passed a guy walking his bike. I asked if he needed anything, and he asked if I knew how to change a tire. He had all the stuff you need, just didn't know what to do with it. So I helped him.

He took it well - I know some guys would have trouble getting help like that from a female, but he was just very appreciative. He bought the bike in June, and took it to the shop to get a previous flat fixed, so I told him he should go back and ask them to go over basic maintenance with him. I kinda wonder about the shop though, since they never recommended that he buy any tire-change supplies when he bought the bike.

Anyway, I haven't had a flat in about a year, so I'm hoping that I've appeased the tire gods and they will allow me to continue my flat-free spell.

In the meantime, I've been wondering, do you ever replace a tube just because it's getting kinda old, and if so, what do you consider old? Since I've been riding the same tubes for a year, I don't know if at some point I should worry about "rubber fatigue" causing a blowout.


Thanks