Got my first flat and changed it!

[whippetgirl]

I got my first flat tire today...and changed it!
I had practiced on my bike just last week, and sure enough, I got my first one and knew what to do. It took a while and I had help and encouragement from my riding pals, but I (we) did it!!! yeah!
Lots of (nice) male riders did ask if we needed help, and we were able to let them know that we had it under control.
Just wanted to share. To me this was a big deal!

[five one]

Way to go ! It IS a big deal. I remember how great it felt to be able to change out a flat for the first time. I have had quite a few since then, so I've had lots of practice. I'm also really good at patching tubes .

[jobob]

What five-one said, congratulations!

Being able to fix a flat yourself makes you a real cyclist, IMHO.

[caligirl2]

Hi There...I am very excited for you. That is a great safety tool to have mastered.

Can I ask, How does a newbie like myself learn to do this? Did you take a class or read it in a book?

I hope my question does not sound silly.

Thanks

[han-grrl]

Way to go on being a mechanical chick!!

[LadyinWhite]

Hi There...I am very excited for you. That is a great safety tool to have mastered.

Can I ask, How does a newbie like myself learn to do this? Did you take a class or read it in a book?

I hope my question does not sound silly.

Thanks

My DH walked me through step by step. I then practiced in the garage a couple of times. Before I had an emergency change kit on my bike, I got a flat and walked it to a LBS. (Here in NJ they are everywhere.) They changed it for me in a jiffy but they said "Hey, stick around and we'll show you how to do it step by step."

So if you don't have a DH or a friend to show you, I'd go to a friendly bike shop and ask them to give you a walk through. I think most of them would be more than happy to give you a quick tutorial. They don't want you stranded by the side of the road.

You can't count on good samaritans - I've seen both. Riders pause as they went by saying "Everything ok?" and others just go right by without so much as a "Hi there." I always say "You ok?" when I pass a rider. I figure it's the least I can do and then if they should happen to say "No call 911!" I will!!

[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?

[Veronica]

I carry two. I usually ride by myself and if I only have one and use it, I feel like I should start heading for home. And sometimes I get a flat when I'm not ready to head for home.

V.