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Can you change a flat?
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 2009-07-07 11:18 AM |
Veteran  190  |  Subject: Can you change a flat?Does everyone around here know how to change a flat? The more training I do, the more I fear I'm going to get a flat and I know I would not be able to change one. Now I've read several articles, watched an on-line video and besides not have the correct tools at this point, I know I would not be sucessful at it. I just figured that if it happened to me I would either walk home or call my husband to come pick me up. I'm the kind of person that considers themselves to be self-sufficient in general, but technical/mechanical things are beyond my comfort zone. |
| 2009-07-07 11:21 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Veteran 1097  Elizabethtown, KY | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? My vote - bad attitude Just like everything else, practice makes perfect. It's really not that hard (and trust me, I thought it would difficult just like you), but after the 2nd or 3rd try, it becomes pretty easy. Oh, and it WILL happen to you, probably 20 miles from home. Significant others will start resenting you if they have to drive out that far! |
| 2009-07-07 11:22 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Member 42 | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? I would practice in a no pressure situation. I have never had a flat (relatively new) but I have practiced a bit. It would not be fast or pretty, but I could get the job done on the road. If you are going to be on your bike much it would be a good skill to learn. |
| 2009-07-07 11:24 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? It's bad attitude. It happens to my attitude as well |
| 2009-07-07 11:26 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Champion 8766  Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? If you're out riding you NEED to be able to change a flat by yourself. And always carry enough tools/equipment to change TWO...yours and the one for the stupid idiot you find on the side of the road with a flat that doesn't know how to change it. |
| 2009-07-07 11:28 AM in reply to: #2267523 |
| Member 56 Toronto | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? My girlfriend, who is hapless at most things (thank god she does not read this board), finally learnt how to change a flat after I taught her. Within a week, from not knowing how to change a flat, she managed to change a flat in 6.5 minutes. She's a pro at it now, and is even better than me at doing so. Leading up to Florida 70.3, she practiced every night! |
| 2009-07-07 11:29 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? It's not difficult, so why not learn? Best way is hands-on, maybe under supervision the first couple time, then practice. |
| 2009-07-07 11:33 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Seeing as I was a mechanic and it was my job ..... yes. And I'm almost always the one that ends up changing other's flats on training rides because I'm pretty darn quick at it. |
| 2009-07-07 11:34 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Regular 106 Fort Myers, Florida | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Its only a matter of time before you get one...its easy! oh yea...and always bring TWO extra tubes, I had one ride where I got two flats about 40 minutes from each other! |
| 2009-07-07 11:38 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
| over a barrier | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Take your wheel off tonight and work on in front of the TV, No pressure. Once you figure it out, do it again and again. Spend a couple of hours one night taking the tubes out and playing with the co2, you'll be a pro. The alternative is sitting on the side of the road with melting tar and bugs with cars zooming by... |
| 2009-07-07 11:38 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Veteran 355 Lakewood Ranch, Florida | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Not since i was a kid, but i do not even have the proper equipment yet, i am going this weekend to get all the right parts since i am going to start riding more next week. I am assuming i can find a bike flat kit at the local bike shop or do i have to buy peice by peice and put it into a bag that latches to bike, sorry, i am brand new to this as well. |
| 2009-07-07 11:38 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Regular 90 Des Moines, IA | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? x2 on the practicing. Now that you've spoken up, you're definitely going to get a flat... SOON! Better get at it. Be sure to practice both the front and back tires. The back one will be a bit more challenging if you've never done it before.  |
| 2009-07-07 11:41 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
Champion 6046 New York, NY | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? learned before I even took my bike out of the store. you really should know how to change a flat, be carrying 2 tubes and at least 2 CO2 cartridges on rides. My first flat was on a group ride and I got help so that I did not hold everyone up. Then I went through a flurry of flats during last summer's rains - both bikes, every tire.... this year started the season with a flat almost every ride - all of this is good cuz if I ever flat during a race I will be able to finish - you are not allowed to have outside assistance during a race - so do you plan to DNF???? |
| 2009-07-07 11:46 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
New user 38 | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? I personally carry one tube, a patch kit, a set of tire levers and a crank brothers power pump (http://www.crankbrothers.com/pumps.php)in a rollup tool kit that I attach to my seat rails. I do not like to use CO2 cartridges. For me they add stress to the situation of changing a flat. The Crank Brothers pumps are very small and quite effective. Edited by Straz 2009-07-07 11:47 AM |
| 2009-07-07 11:48 AM in reply to: #2267499 |
| 175 | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? It's not too hard to do. Granted, the first few tires I changed all flatted immediately because I pinched the tubes, but once you get the hang of it it's totally worth it. It takes so much stress off your mind to know you won't end up stranded somewhere full of serial killers with no way to get yourself out of there. I sometimes ride with someone who relies on her boyfriend to change her flats for her. It gets kind of annoying when you're constantly supplying someone else with tubes/cartridges/mechanical. Don't be that person! |
| 2009-07-07 12:02 PM in reply to: #2267530 |
Elite 3683 Whispering Pines, North Carolina | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? jldicarlo - 2009-07-07 12:26 PM If you're out riding you NEED to be able to change a flat by yourself. And always carry enough tools/equipment to change TWO...yours and the one for the stupid idiot you find on the side of the road with a flat that doesn't know how to change it. i resemble that remark!  |
| 2009-07-07 12:05 PM in reply to: #2267499 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? You WILL get a flat, so practice changing your inner tubes. In short, you remove the wheel, pry the tire off with your tire irons, remove the bad tube, put in the new tube, then remount the tire and the wheel. It is hardly what anyone would call taxing or challenging. Even your first try should not take any more than 10 minutes or so. |
| 2009-07-07 12:15 PM in reply to: #2267499 |
| Member 115 Petaluma, CA | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? I probably get a flat every 2-3 rides, and sometimes I get two flats during one ride. I suppose it has a lot to do with the vegetation around you as well as road conditions. I carry no fewer than two tubes, sometimes three, and 3-4 CO2 cartridges. Tire levers are certainly a must, and I've got a patch kit just in case. Edited by DaveyG 2009-07-07 12:15 PM |
| 2009-07-07 12:17 PM in reply to: #2267499 |
Veteran 190 | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Ok, ok I will learn. |
| 2009-07-07 12:24 PM in reply to: #2267684 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? nerak11 - 2009-07-07 12:17 PM Ok, ok I will learn. Two tire levers SHOULD be suffcient to change a flat...though having a third can be handy especially if you break one. Your tire size should be on the tire somewhere...really you just need to know if you have 700's or 650's because that's about the only difference. CO2 cartridges are not stand alone...you need an inflator to put them in. A frame pump (specially made to attach to the frame, not you trying to attach your pump to the frame) is always a good emergency plan in case your CO2 fails or you just have a leaky tire you are trying to limp home. I haven't put mine on lately, but they are nice especially if you are doing long training rides. A multi-tool should not be necessary for changing a flat. But is handy to have for other stuff. |
| 2009-07-07 12:26 PM in reply to: #2267684 |
Master 1572 PA | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? nerak11 - 2009-07-07 1:17 PM Ok, ok I will learn. I only carry 2 tire levers. And used to carry a small hand pump. I've been riding a little over a year and never had a a flat. A week ago i switched to co2. I've had 2 flats in the last 4 days. The second of which I could not get the co2 to engage. And had no hand pump, so i had to get picked up in the middle of my ride. If someone teaches you, make sure you practice on your own without them there walking you through every step. I had learned to change a flat at the LBS, but then when I had to do it on my own on the road, I basically had no idea what I was doing. The hardest part for me is getting the final few inches of the tire back on the rim, fyi. |
| 2009-07-07 12:27 PM in reply to: #2267677 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? DaveyG - 2009-07-07 12:15 PM I probably get a flat every 2-3 rides, and sometimes I get two flats during one ride. I suppose it has a lot to do with the vegetation around you as well as road conditions. I carry no fewer than two tubes, sometimes three, and 3-4 CO2 cartridges. Tire levers are certainly a must, and I've got a patch kit just in case. A flat every 2-3 rides is excessive. I would look for a better solution. As in, is there something wrong with your wheel that is causing those flats? If not, if it's just the vegetation and road conditions, get a sturdier tire. You should NOT get a flat every 2-3 rides. |
| 2009-07-07 12:27 PM in reply to: #2267499 |
Expert 1049 Burnaby, BC | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Yes, I just changed my front after work yesterday. It's much harder to see glass on the road in the rain. The hardest part of fixing a flat is learning to find the source of the flat and fixing it before you run out of tubes/patches. Always check your tires before your ride and before replacing the tube. I carry 2 tubes, 2 CO2 cartridges, a nanoflator, tire levers and a patch kit. I rarely need the tire levers and have never used the patch kit. I tend to carry too many tools, but at my weight a few ounces of tools that I rarely use are not a problem. Go to your LBS if your nervous and ask them to teach you to change a flat. Buy your flat kit from them at the same time so your not abusing them. |
| 2009-07-07 12:29 PM in reply to: #2267714 |
| Member 115 Petaluma, CA | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? jldicarlo - 2009-07-07 10:27 AM A flat every 2-3 rides is excessive. I would look for a better solution. As in, is there something wrong with your wheel that is causing those flats? If not, if it's just the vegetation and road conditions, get a sturdier tire. You should NOT get a flat every 2-3 rides. It's pretty common where I live. We've got a goathead issue. Edit: I should also point out that I rode with some really thick tires and tubes on my mountain bike and had similar trouble. I'm actually surprised to hear that it's not more common to get so many flats. I know many around here do. Edited by DaveyG 2009-07-07 12:31 PM |
| 2009-07-07 12:29 PM in reply to: #2267684 |
Champion 10020 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Can you change a flat? Ask the people at the bike shop for the tube information. Also, ask them for unbreakable tire levers (recommend Pedro's). Some are better than others. I found I only needed one tire lever, by the way... so you could pare it down accordingly once you've practiced. I find I don't have the strength to use a small frame-mounted pump. I now carry CO2 cartridges and an inflator thingie. nerak11 - 2009-07-07 12:17 PM Ok, ok I will learn. |
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