I've had 13 or 14 flat tyres since Christmas—about two per month. Normally I'd expect to get about two per year. Actually that was between Christmas and June—unusually low mileage and (maybe) those new tyres I've got helped make July a puncture-free month (to date, but there's still time).
While this run of bad luck hasn't yet caused a level of paranoia, it has led me to develop something of a siege mentality: a combination of fatalistic expectation that I'll get a puncture every time I go out and a resigned acceptance when it happens.
Looking on the bright side, I've learned a few things, which I'll share now:
A good pump doesn't need to be expensive, but it does need to work every time. Go to a reputable bike shop and take their advice, even if it means splashing out more than you'd intended. Believe me, you will save money, not to mention time and hassle, in the end.
If you use inner tubes, as I do, I'd recommend Weldtite Cure-c-Cure, along with their Vulcanising Rubber Solution. Together they make the most seamless adhesion. It can be hard to spot the patch once it's set. The rubber solution works nearly as well with those standard patches you can get everywhere. (Nothing to disclose—it's just my honest opinion.)
When it happens
You're trundling along happily when you hear that ol' familiar pssssssssssss and you look down. "Oh, ΦΔ♠∂◊!!!" Yep, that tyre is definitely getting soft.
I don't know what you do first, but here's what I do:
- swear and curse and get it over with
- accept that I'm now going to be late
- if someone's expecting me, call them
- take a deep breath and relax
I've tried fixing punctures angry and I've tried the calm way, and not surprisingly taking things calmly gets things done faster.
Choosing where to work
It's absolutely essential that I'm safe and comfortable. If necessary, I try to force some air back into the tyre and keep riding until I find a good place to stop. (It's almost always possible to get some air back into the tyre, unless it's a tear or a blow-out.)
I prefer to
- get completely out of the traffic flow
- get under a light (if it's dark)
- get under shelter (if it's cold or wet)
Being methodical
Before plunging in, I take a second to think through all of the steps and remember how I avoided problems previously. It's a matter of working carefully without dawdling. Anything removed from the bike as part of the repair—from the pump to the valve cap—must be laid down carefully, where it won't get lost.
Laying out my workspace
Bike bags, from the smallest seat bag to the biggest pannier, are generally made to open while the bike is upright, so it can be awkward to reach in for stuff while the bike is lying down or upside down (if that's the way you operate). Before I get to work, I fish out all of the bits and pieces I'll need.
I prefer to sit down on the job—might as well be comfortable—lay out my tools within reach, and get started.
The actual repair
Right, get the wheel off and remove the tyre. But I don't just shove the tyre lever in under the bead and expect to whip the tyre off in one go. Air pressure can cause the tyre bead to get a bit sticky on the inside of the rim, so I quickly run right around the wheel pressing the tyre off the rim (on both sides) before doing any levering.
I slip the tube out then take the tyre off the rim, making sure to keep the tyre and tube in the same orientation (that is, don't flip one or other around) because I'll need to line them up again shortly.
Sometimes the cause of the puncture is obvious, like when there is a huge chunk of debris sticking through the tyre, but often it's not. If it isn't obvious, I pump some air back into the tube and listen for a hiss or feel for the escaping air.
An ounce of prevention
Getting rid of whatever punctured the tube is vital—who wants to stop a few hundred metres down the track to fix another completely unnecessary puncture? Once I've found the hole, I line up the tube against the tyre to locate the puncture zone then look (and if necessary, feel) for glass or flints or other pointy stuff sticking through the inside of the tyre and remove them. Examine the whole tyre, and focus particularly on the section of tyre that punctured. I'll also look on the outside of the tyre, as often the thorn is lodged in the tyre tread without being obvious on the inside.
I don't often patch a puncture on the side of the road, I just slip in a spare tube and keep going. At home, I stockpile a few "to be repaired" tubes until I've got enough for a tube-patching session.
Reassemble
Hook the tyre back onto one side of the rim, making sure the tyre is facing the right way (some tyres indicate which way they should rotate) and that the label is located over the valve hole. Pump a very small amount of air into the tube, put the value into the valve hole and push the tube in under the tyre. Push the tyre bead back over the rim with my thumbs (I don't really need to say not to use the tyre levers, do I?) With my tyres, things get a bit tight when there's only an inch or so of tyre bead left to get back over the rim. I find that going to the opposite side of the wheel and pushing the tyre right down into the rim, then 'rolling' the slack around from there back around both sides to the last bit of tyre works quite well.
Wheel back on, pump the tyre up, pack away the gear and I'm on my way.
Prepare and practice
I dread to think that there are people out there who don't know who to take their wheel off, let alone fix a puncture. Your first attempt at levering a tyre off your wheel should not be out on the road somewhere after having a puncture. Do it in the comfort and convenience of home before you have to do it by the side of the road. I know you're going to ignore me (I probably would) but having some practice at home helps you to work out what gear you need to carry and helps you discover any bugs in your technique.
For instance, one that kept tripping me up until I paid attention was that it's impossible (or at least, very difficult) for me to get my rear wheel back on with the tyre fully inflated. It's very tempting to pump air straight into that newly fixed tyre and just as frustrating to have to let it all back out again.
Trying things at home also allows you to make sure that you have the valve and the tyre label lined up on your wheels. This sounds pedantic, but it's really useful when it comes to trying to find the object that's caused a puncture, sometime later.
It's boring, I know, but if you've got a new bike (or even new wheels or tyres) practice tyre changes at home before you run into trouble on the road.
Comments
Nancyboy declared that One thing I like to do if it's a back wheel (it's always a back wheel)
I hate that. Front wheels on the trike are trivial - flip the trike on to one side and I can change it in place while standing.
The back wheel has to come off and I agree that getting on to the small cog in back does make getting it back on less of a trial.
One should never tempt the fates: indeed there was still time and as of this morning July is no longer puncture-free. Grrr.
Ed W's advice is right: good tyre pressure and road position are both good methods of prevention. (I shudder when I see people bouncing along on their rims, probably because they often look like people who might not know how to fix a flat!) These are things that you learn to do without thinking about it, but of course they are preventative measures.
And another nice tip from nancyboy, again that's all about thinking clearly in a moment of stress/annoyance.
Prevention is always a good plan, too. Use a floor pump and see that your tires are properly inflated at least every other day. It helps to prevent pinch (snakebite) flats. Don't hug the curb, the fog line, or ride on shoulders strewn with debris. Ride in the tire track where those cars sweep it all away.
Thanks Treadly, that was excellent. I had a run of three flats recently. (They always seem to come in threes) First time I had every tool I needed except a wrench to take the wheel off...Durrr Front is an allan key but of course it was the rear. I found a piece of wire, pulled it out and then got another flat a few hours later. When I got home I picked 8 pieces of glass out of the tyre. I decided it was time for a new tyre and got another flat on my way to the shop!
Nice piece, Treadly. I particularly like the advice to take a deep breath. It's impossible to fix a tyre while angry with a 160 heart rate.
One thing I like to do if it's a back wheel (it's always a back wheel) is to change down onto the smallest cog at the back before removing the wheel. I makes it a whole lot easier to get everything lined back up again when replacing the wheel.
Cheers,
Excellent advice, I think I'll pass this on.