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A tire flats at 40
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 2009-06-21 7:51 PM |
Master  1402   Highlands Ranch |  Subject: A tire flats at 40Well, more like 36 really. 1st one since I got my road bike, and it really got my attention. I'd just started back down from the crest of a steep canyon, zipping downhill and enjoying the speed while keeping an eye out for other bikes and lots of weekend road traffic - harleys, rice rocket bikes and cars, Hummer/F350 sized pick 'em up trucks - all of which are enjoying all of the pavement on both sides of the double yellow. Suddenly I hear an unusual sound that's too close to be anything but me, fwp-fwp-fwp-fwp-fwp-SHNBANG! and I have just barely enough time to straighten up, stop and get my butt out of the road. 30 minutes later I've managed to snap the valve screw from my only spare, used my only charger, begged another tube from a passing roadie (thanks to Chaundra from the Pioneers cycling team!) and now get to ride 18 miles home on a distended tread with a small but gaping hole in the center bead, which I under-inflated to avoid flatting it again. Among other things, I learned:
So I'm curious, what other pearls of wisdom can the collective brain trust of BT share about being prepared on longer rides? Edited by StMaas 2009-06-21 7:52 PM |
| 2009-06-21 7:53 PM in reply to: #2232440 |
| Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 No need for a second tire. Carry a dollar bill and fold it over the hole, or use en empty gel packet |
| 2009-06-21 8:10 PM in reply to: #2232444 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290  The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 ChrisM - 2009-06-21 7:53 PM No need for a second tire. Carry a dollar bill and fold it over the hole, or use en empty gel packet And if that doesn't work, use the cell phone. Lot easier to carry than a spare tire, and more versatile. |
| 2009-06-21 8:29 PM in reply to: #2232483 |
Master 1325 Lake Oswego, OR | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 the bear - 2009-06-21 6:10 PM ChrisM - 2009-06-21 7:53 PM No need for a second tire. Carry a dollar bill and fold it over the hole, or use en empty gel packet And if that doesn't work, use the cell phone. Lot easier to carry than a spare tire, and more versatile. Cell Phone? I can see how it might fit inside the tire of my mountain bike, but it is too big to squeeze into a 700X23 road tire. Do you tape to the outside some how? |
| 2009-06-21 8:49 PM in reply to: #2232512 |
Master 1517 Raleigh | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 E=H2O - 2009-06-21 9:29 AM the bear - 2009-06-21 6:10 PM ChrisM - 2009-06-21 7:53 PM No need for a second tire. Carry a dollar bill and fold it over the hole, or use en empty gel packet And if that doesn't work, use the cell phone. Lot easier to carry than a spare tire, and more versatile. Cell Phone? I can see how it might fit inside the tire of my mountain bike, but it is too big to squeeze into a 700X23 road tire. Do you tape to the outside some how? i hope the sarcasm button was pressed when saying that... |
| 2009-06-21 8:56 PM in reply to: #2232444 |
Extreme Veteran 569 Austin, TX | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 ChrisM - 2009-06-21 7:53 PM No need for a second tire. Carry a dollar bill and fold it over the hole, or use en empty gel packet +1 My front tire has been booted with a dollar bill for >3600 miles with no issues thus far. *knock knock* Good on you for handling the flat so well. That has got to be scary flatting at high speed! |
| 2009-06-21 9:13 PM in reply to: #2232440 |
Champion 7595 Columbia, South Carolina | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 I carry a tire patch kit with me just in case. I did once use a patch to put over a hole in the tire (rather than to repair the tube -- I guess I've now learned that a dollar bill works too). I've also used the cell phone before (thank goodness for spouses) -- I find it works better if you push the buttons.... |
| 2009-06-21 9:31 PM in reply to: #2232440 |
Master 1402 Highlands Ranch | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 One dollar bill then, added to the ziplock w/phone, DL and debit card. Perhaps two, one for each tire. What I was surprised by was that such a small a (~1/2") tear across the center bead 'un-trued' the tire so badly when it was re-inflated. And yes, it was seated correctly on the rim, I got some quality time working on that too... |
| 2009-06-21 9:33 PM in reply to: #2232483 |
Master 1402 Highlands Ranch | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 Had the cell, but had just put wife and kids on a plane this morning. Could've begged a ride from the commuta-bikers at the bottom of the hill, but no challenge in that. |
| 2009-06-21 9:54 PM in reply to: #2232440 |
Regular 106 Fort Myers, Florida | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 Sorry to hear about your ride! I too have had 2 flats in one ride before and I somehow managed to cram two tubes in my under seat bag now...kind of makes you test your resourcefullness huh! Luckily there are enough riders here in CO that every time this has happened there are always multiple riders that pass and ask if I need help! |
| 2009-06-21 10:26 PM in reply to: #2232686 |
| Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 StMaas - 2009-06-21 7:31 PM One dollar bill then, added to the ziplock w/phone, DL and debit card. Perhaps two, one for each tire. What I was surprised by was that such a small a (~1/2") tear across the center bead 'un-trued' the tire so badly when it was re-inflated. And yes, it was seated correctly on the rim, I got some quality time working on that too... Nah, just use the money for the after ride coffee, then use the debit card if you have to use the $$  Bring the cell as well, and save the number of the local cab company. I've had a friend do that when family/friends were out of town ETA, couple seasons ago I had to call my wife for a pickup for that very reason.... Edited by ChrisM 2009-06-21 10:26 PM |
| 2009-06-22 2:31 AM in reply to: #2232440 |
| Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 Congrats on keeping everything under control. Yesterday seems to have sucked all around, yours, the other guy with the double flat and I also had a double flat, gave up and called for a ride. Mine turned out to be a bad valve in the spare. I hate it when the removable valves don't seal well. http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TB-2-Emergency-Tire/dp/B000YBGJRS I carry these in the bag with the spare tube for just such an occasion so I don't have to use money inside the tire Park Tool TB-2 Emergency Tire Boot (Pack of 3) |
| 2009-06-22 9:57 AM in reply to: #2232440 |
Veteran 249 Littleton, Colorado | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 Cell phone works wonders. Had to make my first call to the SAG wagon this weekend. Sidewall of my tire blew out, and I only carry spare tubes. Of course it happened as I was exactly 5 miles away from 3 different bike shops in all directions. |
| 2009-06-22 10:11 AM in reply to: #2233058 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 DanielG - 2009-06-22 12:31 AM Congrats on keeping everything under control. x2. There are a lot of riders (well, triathletes anyway) that would have been road pizza at 36 with a flat. Well done! John |
| 2009-06-22 10:15 AM in reply to: #2232691 |
Expert 2547 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 StMaas - 2009-06-21 9:33 PM Had the cell, but had just put wife and kids on a plane this morning. Could've begged a ride from the commuta-bikers at the bottom of the hill, but no challenge in that. I was about 25 miles west of Austin one time and for whatever reason, my rear derailler got tied up and bent into my rear wheel, ruining both. I had to hitch-hike from 2 different cars to get back to town and found that no one will stop if you are just standing there with your thumb out. I picked up my bike and threw it over my shoulder and had a friendly driver pick me up immediately. I guess looking pathetic is key. Anyway, remember that if you need to hitch a ride. TJ |
| 2009-06-22 12:34 PM in reply to: #2232440 |
Expert 1121 Chicago | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 Yes you are a biker, 18 miles too late. You don't have to wonder, it wasn't a blunder. Your tire was a victim of fate. 30 minutes too late, 30 minutes too late. Sorry, best I could do on the fly. |
| 2009-06-22 10:22 PM in reply to: #2234228 |
Master 1402 Highlands Ranch | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 nice... |
| 2009-06-23 12:14 PM in reply to: #2232440 |
Extreme Veteran 562 | Subject: RE: A tire flats at 40 A tire boot suggestion I didn't see in this thread: cut the bead off of an old tire and cut sections about 2" long, keep a couple of these in your seat bag. They work better than a dollar bill and they're freecycled. I've ridden thousands of miles on a tire booted this way. |
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