Lost my Tire Virginity!!

[doctorfrau]

The new road bike forced me to change my first flat today. (rear wheel even!)

I apparently picked up a splinter of glass on the rail trail. I was so oo glad that I had asked the LBS to walk me step-by-step thru tire changing before I took the new bike home.

I didn't have a spare tube, only a patch kit (spare was at home waiting to go into the seat bag). So I crouched on the rail-trail next to the depot, and talked myself thru the whole thing. I got it off, patched it with "Slime Scabs", got it back on the rim, had it almost all the way inflated .... when the valve stem separated. CRAP!!!!!

Fortunately, one of the LBS's was only about 2 blocks away, so I hoisted the frame up on my shoulder, grabbed the wheel with my other hand and hauled my way to the bike shop.... and arrived two minutes after closing time. CRAP!!!!!

Fortunately, one of the mechanics saw me standing there in front of the glass, and probably saw my mouth forming cuss words, because he came out and asked if I needed help!

So, now I have a new tube in the tire, AND a new tube in the seat bag (lesson learned), AND a newfound skill in bike maintainance!! Yeah for me!!

[Dogmama]

You also experienced another axiom in cycling:

It's Always The Back Tire

At least you found the blasted hole. I can never find it. I just change out the tube & go on.

[RdDezert]

G-r-e-a-t! Now you just reminded me of my springtime chore, patching a whole lotta tubes for riding season! For both bikes, no less...
Yes, even with flat changing experience, I'm still not a smiley person when I hafta change flats, ugh.
But bottom line, what the mechanic cute????

[ChainsOflove]

I bought Gatorskins (conti) that are supposed to be bomb proof.

I am going to keep my virginity a bit longer.

[doctorfrau]

I gotcha on that one!

Bike was due for a checkup, so I took it down to the LBS today and said while they were at it, they should swap me out for some 28c Armadillos!

There's lots of drunks and college kids that drop glass around here, so I'm hedging my bets for these tires!

[Barb]

I'm sooo glad I read this. I am getting ready to go shopping ...and I almost forgot that I need new tubes. My road bike has tubes that are 13 years old...I kid you not!!! They are the originals. I just got the bike and won't leave the neighbor hood until I get my tubes!!!! SLIME SCABS??? Is that like a band aid patch, no glue just stick it on sort? I might have to look for those also!

[hibiscus09]

I still have my virginity. I worry about it also -- they did show me how to change one in the bike shop, but that was last summer! I've never heard of Gator Skins -- I'll do a search.

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by hibiscus09
I worry about it also -- they did show me how to change one in the bike shop, but that was last summer!

Practice, practice, practice! My husband "showed" me how to change a tire and replace a tube, but I didn't really get it until I had done it a few times. The first time I did it by myself (at home in the garage) I couldn't do it. (Now granted, I'm not really very mechanically inclined). Be sure you know how to remove and replace your back wheel! As Dogmama said, it's ALWAYS the the back tire!

But I'm really glad I practiced at home so much. I've flatted a few times out on rides and the practice paid off! I ride alone a lot, so if I can't fix my bike, I would have to walk back. I'd also recommend you learn and practice how to fix a chain. That comes in handy sometimes, too!

[hibiscus09]

I need someone to practice with me -- my hubby (sweet, loving man that he is) doesn't have a clue!! I'd take it off and not be able to get it put back together.

I do agree practice will help me. I wonder if bikeshops do powder puff type clinics?

[doctorfrau]

Hibiscus,

Why not just ask your LBS to walk you thru the drill once or twice (or three) times? If they offer "any" kind of customer service, surely this should be it. Especially if you bought the bike from them in the first place. Just say that you ride alone alot, and your husband isn't mechanical, and you want to be able to do it yourself. The guy at my LBS seemed thrilled that I was actually interested and asking questions about routine maintenance. And if you are anything like me, just watching doesn't help alot, I have to actually lay hands on in order to get the hang of it!


Barb,

Yeah " Slime scabs" - lovely name isn't it? They are made by the "Slime" people and are pre-glued patches ('scabs' for tire boo-boos, I guess) I ran into them accidentally on the Performancebike.com site. They were actually very easy to use.
Good luck!

[hibiscus09]

Thanks, doctorfrau -- I'm really not easily intimidated -- but I have been somewhat with biking. I'm somewhat athletic -- have squatted 215lbs and leg pressed 815lbs, played softball and have done some running -- I don't know why I'm hesitant to ask these guys to spend some time with me teaching me about routine bicycle maintenance. I must be though, because I haven't done it yet! There's another cycling shop in town that is run by a woman and she does rides from her shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays -- I think I may contact her and ride with them some and get her to show me.

And yes, I do prefer actually doing something to being shown!

[annie]

Just a little warning about "slime scabs" or any other pre-glued patch......
They are quick and easy to use for an on-the-road-repair, but are not as dependable as the good ole let-the-glue-dry then put on the patch type of patch. It'll certainly get you through the rest of the ride, but don't depend on that tube to last for a long time. They often fail at the patch. I used to use them but no more. I carry a spare tube and use it if I get a flat -- I've had 4 already this year. :-( -- If I get another, I patch it, but usually, I just patch blown tubes when I get home and then use them as spares.

Anyone have any similar experiences?

[doctorfrau]

Thanks for the heads-up Annie.
I was wondering about that. I guess there are drawbacks to anything that is "that" easy.

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by annie
Anyone have any similar experiences?

Yep. The glueless patches will "getcha home" but that's about it. For long lasting patches I use the old-fashioned style.

I also agree with "doing" vs. "watching" when it come to flat-repair. It's important to know that you can fix your flat with your equipment. That means practice using the pump and/or CO2 device that you carry, along with your tire lever(s) and patch-kit of choice. You want to be sure that it all works well before you actually need it.

[Dogmama]

Oh my. I don't even remember when I lost my tire virginity. And they say you never forget the first time!

I use heavy duty tubes that have slime inside & don't care about the added weight. At any given time during the month, I may have added or lost that much weight on my body! However, those tubes can be a pain to put in, so I keep regular tubes for road use.

Here are some tips:

Taking the tire off: Use your tire tools to get the edge of the tire flipped over the rim. When you get a good 3-4" of tire off of the rim, you should be able to use a tire tool to flip the rest off (put it between the tire & rim & run it around the tire). Don't take the tire all the way off - leave one side in the rim.

Remove the tube. Look for the hole. Cuss & throw away the tube (that's my story - you may be able to find the hole.) Note - I always pack my old tubes back & throw them away at home.

OK, here's the good stuff.

When you buy a new tube, take it out of the box & rub it lightly with cornstarch - sort of drizzle it between the folds. Now, put it in a baggie & put it in your seat pack. Now the tube just slides in the rim rather than sticking (and possibly sticking between your rim & tire causing the dreaded "snake bites." More about that later)

You have your tire halfway off (one edge of the tire is still in the rim.) Put a little air in the tube - just enough to give it some shape. You might be able to just blow some air in with your lungs. Put the valve in the hole & work the tube around in the rim. It may fall out, that's OK. Do the best you can.

Now - without tire tools - start to flip the tire back under the rim using your hands. Tire tools may pinch & puncture your tube, so hands are important. Get the part of the tire that is next to the valve in first - that's the hardest part. Move around the tire being careful to not catch the tube (which has a little air in it to give it shape) between the tire & rim. The last part may be difficult - that's why practice is good.

This is where you insure against snake bites. Inflate the tire just a little so that it is semi-hard but still soft enough that you can push the sidewall in & see the bottom of your rim. Push that side wall in all the way around, both sides, making sure that the tube isn't caught between the rim & tire.

You're done. Inflate the tire, get it on the bike & ride like the wind!