Got my first flat and changed it!

[Kimmyt]

I took a free bike maintenance/repair course at my local REI. They should have some of these during early spring, when riding season sets in. It was a pretty basic class, basically just covering tire changing, lubing, etc.

Got a flat once on a ride during a major BONK (very hot/humid day and too little hydration on a looooong hill= major problem) and luckily my group took great care of me, because I was too zoned out to figure out how to do anything with the flat.

Got lucky the following time and got a flat after my ride (was unloading the bike from my car and noticed the tire was completely flat) so I got the luxury of taking my time and changing it in the comfort of my own home. I managed to remember how to do the whole thing and only get moderately greasy (of course, back tired BOTH times... go figure!) so I think next time it happens on the road I'll be okay.

Check out your lbs for clinics, but I think also just setting some time aside at home with a good computer website tutorial or a book and you should be able to figure it out. The trickiest part was getting the tire back over the tube!

K.

[SouthernBelle]

Repairing Flats video

[missymaya]

That's awesome whippetgirl! I agree with the rest of the ladies on the forum that knowing how to repair a flat is very important 'cause you may get stranded out somewhere and only have you to rely on. Where ever you go to learn how to change a flat, I would ask about other little things that might go awry while on the road/trail that you could fix or patch up until you can get to a bike shop. My BF has taught practically anything and everything about repairing and patching up stuff so that if something does happen, I don't need to phone him or get help from a stranger, just be self-reliant.

Also, a tidbit, if you have a hole, you could use a bar wrapper or gel wrapper to cover where it meets the rim, so you won't get a pinched flat. I just learned this technique, pretty handy!

[Tuckervill]

My boy and I got into a patch of goatheads in New Mexico last summer. All four tires flat as a pancake. Luckily it was just as we were pulling into our destination (Balloon Museum in Albuquerque), so we went to the museum, then caught the bus back to the hotel, got the car and picked up the bikes.

Then I had to sit in the parking lot of the hotel and change all the flats! The bike rack on the back of the car makes an adequate bike stand. I hadn't changed a flat since I was a teenager before this. Got all my practice down in one fell swoop!

Karen

[chickwhorips]

congrats and good job!!!!

thanks for all the other information girls. i may have to look up that class at REI sometime.

[whippetgirl]

Thanks for the encouragement!
I did discover when I was using my inexpensive tire irons that I was having problems getting the tire released from the rim. That is when my riding friend loaned me her telescoping tire iron that created a better lever for me to make that release. Maybe I have to get back into the weight room...and work those arm muscles!

QUESTION: how many inner tubes do you carry with you as a rule?