Dreading flats!

[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.

[Geonz]

Add to the votes to practice in the living room (or the garage, or wherever).

I still need to read the side of the box when I'm doing it, and tho' I'm pretty lucky, in last year's 10,000 miles I had a few flats. I really, actually *did* ... at the bike shop, no less... try to take the tire off before the wheel. Not too long ago. I don't do well when distracted ... but hey, I can handle the "magic head" pump well.

Oh, but when it happens... *all* of mine have been "Oh, garbanzo beans, the tire is flat." No trauma.

[jesvetmed]

My first one is an olympic tri.... then a sprint, and another tri for the the year. Yeah, it just seems like a lot of time wasted! On the other hand, when I pumped and kept pedaling today, I only really got about 3-4 miles before I was completely flat again.

[Grog]

My first one is an olympic tri.... then a sprint, and another tri for the the year. Yeah, it just seems like a lot of time wasted! On the other hand, when I pumped and kept pedaling today, I only really got about 3-4 miles before I was completely flat again.

There is a very low chance that you'll have a flat during a race because usually the course director will have inspected it for glass and swept away grit and stuff. However, having been on the course director side, I know that sometimes some things get overlooked at the last minute!

So you can have a tube in your pockets, and a cartridge of CO2. But I don't think I'd carry that unless it was a half-ironman. Even for friendly triathlons I have taken off my saddlebag.

I am not 100% sure but in other types of races you wouldn't be allowed a saddlebag or anything attached to your frame (like a pump) that could become detached from it (possibly causing an accident).

[sgtiger]

2) Someone once mentioned about something you squirt into the tube the "seal" it up to get you going without having to change tube?

The only one that comes to mind right now is Slime but I think there are other brands on the market. You have to remove the valve to get it in though. Some LBS's will do it for you or you can purchase prefilled tubes for about 3x the price of regular ones. You'll probably still need to stop to inflate your tire and inspect it to remove the offending object that punctured your tire in the first place.

I found an excellent how-to once on a commuting site, but I can't seem to find it now. I'll post it if I stumble upon it later.

ETA: I just read on one of the local LBS's website that it's not recommended for high pressure road bike tires.

[Geonz]

Oh, and I would as of today especially strongly recommend Bontrager Hard Case tires - they're heavy duty and I think harder to get on & off (but I've done it)... but my tire should have been gashed today and it wasn't at all.

[Spec&TrekGirl]

I had to chime in because I just got home from a ride where I had my first flat in years - I'm just getting back into riding. Oddly, I decided to stop and check my tires for no particular reason and found that the back tire was a little low and saw the offending thorn sticking out of it. I had a patch kit and remembered how to fix it...except that I apparently didn't wait long enough for the vulcanizing glue to dry before applying the patch because as soon as I got the tire put back together and pumped up - it started leaking again! Oh well, practice makes perfect, right.

I am interested in learning how to put the tire back on the rim without using the tools because I've pinched tubes before that way. I'm wondering if I don't have the hand strength to do it or if there is a technique I need to learn. I am signed up for a class coming up shortly.

I second (or third, or fourth) the practice in your living room before it happens to you approach.

I must say, there were several friendly cyclists who asked if I needed any help and if I had everything I need. Interestingly, some even said they didn't have anything to change a flat but offered their cell phone if I needed it.

[Andrea]

Most of the time when you race, you stick a spare set of wheels in the wheel truck. Otherwise, if you get a flat, you abandon the race and ride back in the wheel truck

As for what happens- I've had a front tire blowout at 20mph+ and the biggest thing is (just like in a car) DON'T PANIC!! Just keep your arms relaxed, stop pedaling, and don't make any sudden moves/braking. You'll be aight...

[Jen-Jen]

Hey- nice question and good info. I, too need to learn how to change flats this year: per DH.

He even purchased a flat kit and a little hand held pump for me!