Dreading flats!

[SadieKate]

I cannot think of many situations where a flat tire would result in an injury. If your front wheel goes flat and you're going at high speed down a hill it may cause some steering problems, but nothing that cannot be conquered with some bike handling skills.

I suggest:
1) Taking a basic bike mechanics class. Flats will be covered as well as minor mechanical issues, and what you can do about them.
2) Taking a bike handling skills class if you can. It will teach you LOTS of great stuff even in a very short time!

There's nothing like PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Good luck!!

Absolutely agree with Grog. A slash on the front tire causing instantaneous depressurization (is that a word?) during a high speed descent is the one time you would be at risk. Practice your bike handling skills which will stand you in good stead for other situations anyway. Learn how to change a flat and go ride.

[tink]

Yep and Yep.

I agree it takes practice and do not worry, it is not that hard! I personally am willing to pay extra for armadillo tires; I had NO flats last summer and rode to work and back everyday and took my bike on my honeymoon and rode it all over the pacific northwest "city style" and still have not had a flat. I think these folks are right.. take a class. There are videos you can download online too! Good Luck girl... just dive on in!

[Wahine]

I put a lot of mileage in on my bike and I will have to change flats at least once a month and I've had as many as 3 on one ride. The worst one happened when I was in a big pack of riders, I hollered flat but a couple of people didn't hear me and got really mad because they alomst ran into the back of me when I slowed down. Moral of the story, don't assume that people in a group know what you're doing even if you've done your best to inform them.

I found this on youtube...

How to change a flat

I don't agree with using a tire iron for putting the tire back on, I use the heels of my hands. But this is a pretty good video.

And yes.... practice at home a bunch of times. Especially with the back tire.

[Ana]

Thanks for all your insight! I will definitely be practicing changing tubes before I go out riding! :-D

[wackyjacky1]

Geez, I used to be a flat magnet. Every piece of glass or metal on the road seemed to find its way into my tires. I think I got a flat at least once a month. Because I was so prone to flats, I had lots of experience fixing them, and I could fix a flat in no time! I never lost control of my bike; rather, I would notice that pedaling seemed harder, or the bike seemed a little sluggish, before it would dawn on me what had actually happened. (Knock wood, nothing so far on my current bike -- it has Kevlar-reinforced tires.)

I once did a 60 mile ride down in Corpus Christi and flatted three times along the way -- all on the rear wheel of course. Just beware of where you lay your gloves when you're changing that tube: the last flat I got on that Corpus ride, I didn't discover that I had put my gloves down on a fire ant hill until I started putting them back on. Ouch!

After that ride, I installed Mr. Tuffy tire liners and didn't get any more flats.

[jesvetmed]

Wow this is timely. Just got back from a nice long ride in the sun, and yep, flat on the front. Was slow so I was able to just pump it back up twice and head home (slower than I would have otherwise). I know / am comfortable changing a tube. But I realized I still have some concerns I'm hoping someone can help with:
1) In a race, does CO2 work better / faster / as well as a tire pump?
2) Someone once mentioned about something you squirt into the tube the "seal" it up to get you going without having to change tube?
3) Basically my questions are: In a race, have a flat (likely a basic puncture); what are the best options for not losing a lot of time, but yet not damaging the rim (or myself). Considering my handy little pump stops cost me about 7 to 8 minutes on my ride today, this is something I should figure out ahead of time! And my tube changing skills at best are 10-15 minutes. that's a lot of time when the ride is only 22 miles or so!

Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks...
Jessica

[Grog]

1) In a race, does CO2 work better / faster / as well as a tire pump?

I am not sure what type of race you are talking about, and what type of event. My husband won't even change a flat during an Olympic triathlon (not my philosophy but...). In triathlons you can't get help normally. In a road race you could have a new wheel given to you by your team I think. (May not apply to all races.) In any case fixing a flat would be a major time sucker. CO2 would definitely be the way to go.