Missed connection

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dasgeh 113699 wrote:

We made it safely down the trail (but no, I’m not going to take a Kidical Mass ride down there. Wow).

That hill, like 41st St, is one I only ride UP.

[hozn]

@dasgeh 113751 wrote:

Yes. I don’t know why you would patch if you can get the wheel all the way off (unless you’re on a long trip and can’t carry enough tubes or something), but with funky set ups, that’s not always an option. We can get the tire unseated and the tube out, which allows patching.

Crazy! I’ve never even considered the possibility of patching a tube without pulling it out of the tire, but sure, I guess it makes sense!

Here’s another idea: set this up tubeless with sealant and use plugs to fix any holes. This works great on the MTB; I haven’t had to put in a tube for the last few flats, anyway. The downside is you’ll probably have to top off your tire pressure every other day or so. And if you do get a flat that the plugs + sealant won’t fix, you will then have to pull off the wheel to put in a tube.

Or just carry the adhesive patches

But it does seem like a design flaw if you can’t trivially remove the wheel for trailside repairs.

[Steve O]

@jabberwocky 113749 wrote:

I generally assume patching a tube requires getting it out of the tire anyway, so swapping a tube isn’t any more effort.

You can patch a tube without removing the wheel from the bike. Good to know for bikes without quick releases or that are otherwise difficult to remove (e.g. coaster brakes).

[Vicegrip]

@Steve O 113770 wrote:

You can patch a tube without removing the wheel from the bike. Good to know for bikes without quick releases or that are otherwise difficult to remove (e.g. coaster brakes).

I will pull the tube out leaving the stem and tire in place patch or swap. This way I can pump the tube up a bit, find the hole and know where to look on the tire for what did the dirty deed. If a known pinch flat I will just swap it out when I have a new tube on hand. this weekend my son rolled over a drain grate and snake bit the back tire. Rear wheel is bolt on and wheel is 650b. Was not hard to find the holes and patch with a glue on patch. Patch kits are $2. I carry a new kit replacing it with new when it gets used on the road. Old glue and patches become shop stock. Little plastic box can hold some patches, glue, a boot, a master link, a 2032, sandpaper and a little patch of paper towel to keep things from rattling.

[dasgeh]

@hozn 113769 wrote:

But it does seem like a design flaw if you can’t trivially remove the wheel for trailside repairs.

This is one of my pet peeves about cycling there’s no requirement that you do your own maintenance to bike. Some people just don’t do their own maintenance. And that’s fine. As long as you have some way to deal with hiccups, you’re fine. (Just like with a car!)

For example, our bakfiets fits in our minivan. So if we have a major mechanical, the plan is to jump off bike, lock up bike, find alternative transportation (cab, bus, feet), then come back later and pick up bike. Other bikes, the plan is to take the bus with the bike. Given that we’ve had two flats on the bakfiets in 2 years of heavy use, I’m ok with that plan.

I don’t think the patching is much harder than replacing a tube. It’s one extra step, but a pretty easy one. The advantage of not taking the tube out is that you know where on the wheel/tire the flat occurred so it’s easier to check for issues. But yes, whatever your plan is, you have to make sure you have the stuff for it – tubes, patches, glue, bus fare, a working phone. Sometimes you don’t and you have adventures, but at least you got to go for a bike ride.

[hozn]

@dasgeh 113785 wrote:

The advantage of not taking the tube out is that you know where on the wheel/tire the flat occurred so it’s easier to check for issues.

This is why we line the up the label on the tire with the valve stem!

But to your general point, I appreciate that not everyone wants to do bike maintenance. But I also feel like bikes are really pretty simple things (unlike cars); changing a flat on the bike is a lot easier (IMO, anyway) than putting the spare tire on the car and flats happen far more frequently on the bike, yet so many people ride around completely unprepared to deal with them. In commuter-heavy areas a AAA-like service for bicycle repair probably would make sense (and probably exists; I’m too lazy to google it).

I agree 100% on being creative when it comes to dealing with mechanicals, though. Yeah, take the bus, a cab, etc. That’s what I would do if I had a mechanical problem that couldn’t be fixed with a spare tube or multi-tool. I’m not going to carry a whole toolbox for that hypothetical that has yet to happen in ~7 years of regular riding.

Not that this is at all pertinent to your anecdote, but it does bother me when people don’t carry with them the requirements for flat-tire repair *and* expect help from others. I’ve stopped plenty to help unprepared people fix flats, but now when I see people walking with a flat and obviously no equipment to fix it, I keep riding and hope that someone learned a lesson — and enjoyed their walk. I’m sure someday I’ll forget my pump/co2 and get a flat and have a long karmic walk home.

[83b]

@hozn 113789 wrote:

In commuter-heavy areas a AAA-like service for bicycle repair probably would make sense (and probably exists; I’m too lazy to google it).

Funny you should mention it. Two weeks ago I had a difficult to fix flat (blown out rear tube on a bike requiring multiple tools and some time to get the rear wheel off). I was also swamped at work and it was going to be several days before I could reasonably expect to get myself running again (either by toting the necessary tools to work on the train or ::shudder:: driving in to retrieve the bike). But @HandyBikesDC fixed me up for about the cost of two days commute via Metro. He came out to my office and made the repairs so I didn’t have to be away from my desk for more than a few minutes. It’s really nice to know that there is an available fallback option should disaster strike again.

[dasgeh]

@83(b) 113793 wrote:

Funny you should mention it. Two weeks ago I had a difficult to fix flat (blown out rear tube on a bike requiring multiple tools and some time to get the rear wheel off). I was also swamped at work and it was going to be several days before I could reasonably expect to get myself running again (either by toting the necessary tools to work on the train or ::shudder:: driving in to retrieve the bike). But @HandyBikesDC fixed me up for about the cost of two days commute via Metro. He came out to my office and made the repairs so I didn’t have to be away from my desk for more than a few minutes. It’s really nice to know that there is an available fallback option should disaster strike again.

Great to know. I also like to make the point on public forums, mainly for any newbies or interested folks who might stop by. Getting into transportational cycling can be intimidating, and the attitude that you have to be able to fix a flat in order to ride a bike makes it more so (increases barriers to entry, in econ speak). Just ride. The rest will come.

[dbb]

@hozn 113789 wrote:

Not that this is at all pertinent to your anecdote, but it does bother me when people don’t carry with them the requirements for flat-tire repair *and* expect help from others. I’ve stopped plenty to help unprepared people fix flats, but now when I see people walking with a flat and obviously no equipment to fix it, I keep riding and hope that someone learned a lesson — and enjoyed their walk.

A couple of years ago I helped a fellow (new cyclist) with a flat on the 14th Street Bridge. He was largely clueless but seemed trainable. He got my spare tube and 10 minutes of philosophy. A week or so later he came up to me at the AF Classic ride to thank me again and show me he was now carrying a spare tube and a pump. I felt pretty good about helping that fellow join the family of cyclists I am proud to know.

[Steve O]

@dasgeh 113785 wrote:

Some people just don’t do their own maintenance. And that’s fine. As long as you have some way to deal with hiccups, you’re fine. (Just like with a car!)
So if we have a major mechanical, the plan is to jump off bike, lock up bike, find alternative transportation (cab, bus, feet), then come back later and pick up bike. Other bikes, the plan is to take the bus with the bike.

@hozn 113789 wrote:

But to your general point, I appreciate that not everyone wants to do bike maintenance.
I agree 100% on being creative when it comes to dealing with mechanicals, though. Yeah, take the bus, a cab, etc.
…people don’t carry with them the requirements for flat-tire repair

@dasgeh 113794 wrote:

I also like to make the point on public forums, mainly for any newbies or interested folks who might stop by. Getting into transportational cycling can be intimidating, and the attitude that you have to be able to fix a flat in order to ride a bike makes it more so (increases barriers to entry, in econ speak). Just ride. The rest will come.

Your most important tool is your SmarTrip card. Don’t leave home without it.
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8359&stc=1[/IMG]

[jabberwocky]

@dasgeh 113785 wrote:

This is one of my pet peeves about cycling there’s no requirement that you do your own maintenance to bike. Some people just don’t do their own maintenance. And that’s fine. As long as you have some way to deal with hiccups, you’re fine. (Just like with a car!)

I’m probably colored by the fact that I started my cyclist life as a mountainbiker. When you’re 6 miles (and 2000 feet of vertical) of rugged, rocky singletrack away from your car and you pinch flat, your only choices are to fix it yourself, hope another rider with a tube chances by who is willing to fix it for you, or spend your next few hours pushing your bike off the mountain. Which sucks.

Even now, I commute in more suburban areas (reston and great falls) where buses aren’t really an option. If I can’t fix something myself, I’m hoping I can get my roommate on the phone to give me a ride (which is 50-50 at best) or walking home. I don’t leave home without being prepared to deal with common issues, like flats and minor adjustments. The pack I wear on the mountainbike has a little more equipment in it, like extra cleats for my shoes and quicklinks for chain repair. I hate cutting a fun ride short because of a minor mechanical.

[Sunyata]

@jabberwocky 113807 wrote:

I’m probably colored by the fact that I started my cyclist life as a mountainbiker. When you’re 6 miles (and 2000 feet of vertical) of rugged, rocky singletrack away from your car and you pinch flat, your only choices are to fix it yourself, hope another rider with a tube chances by who is willing to fix it for you, or spend your next few hours pushing your bike off the mountain. Which sucks.

+1 to this…

But that being said, I actually do not keep a spare tube on me for my commuter bike. I have a belt drive with an IGH and getting the rear wheel off is a HUGE pain in the ass. I have a short enough commute (~5-10 miles depending on route) that is all within close proximity to bus stations and CaBi stations, that if I have a flat, I will just lock up, CaBi (or bus) home, get my car, and pick up the bike. I do, however, travel with a multi tool for minor adjustments, etc. And I have a 700cx25 tube (for my road bike, it will work on my commuter in a pinch for a very short distance) in the seat bag just in case of a major emergency or if someone else needs it.

[Terpfan]

@hozn 113789 wrote:

This is why we line the up the label on the tire with the valve stem!

But to your general point, I appreciate that not everyone wants to do bike maintenance. But I also feel like bikes are really pretty simple things (unlike cars); changing a flat on the bike is a lot easier (IMO, anyway) than putting the spare tire on the car and flats happen far more frequently on the bike, yet so many people ride around completely unprepared to deal with them. In commuter-heavy areas a AAA-like service for bicycle repair probably would make sense (and probably exists; I’m too lazy to google it).

I agree 100% on being creative when it comes to dealing with mechanicals, though. Yeah, take the bus, a cab, etc. That’s what I would do if I had a mechanical problem that couldn’t be fixed with a spare tube or multi-tool. I’m not going to carry a whole toolbox for that hypothetical that has yet to happen in ~7 years of regular riding.

Not that this is at all pertinent to your anecdote, but it does bother me when people don’t carry with them the requirements for flat-tire repair *and* expect help from others. I’ve stopped plenty to help unprepared people fix flats, but now when I see people walking with a flat and obviously no equipment to fix it, I keep riding and hope that someone learned a lesson — and enjoyed their walk. I’m sure someday I’ll forget my pump/co2 and get a flat and have a long karmic walk home.

Easier versus a car? I would say, eh, depends if I have my levers on me and if it’s my rear tire of the bike. I can change a flat on a car relatively fast, probably on par with changing my bike flats sans levers. It’s always getting the last piece of the damn tire to pop back on and no matter how much I do the bend it over trick, I swear it’s just annoying.

As for being prepared, ha, I’ve had that karma. I usually carry a pump or co2 (moved more toward co2 just because it’s easier and I’m lazy) on my rides if only because 1/4 of my ride will be on back streets where I usually don’t encounter other cyclists. Go figure, last time I went without said gear, I got a flat at the very bottom of Beacon Hill Rd where it becomes Belle View Blvd. Spokes didn’t open for another two hours and the bus wasn’t coming for another 25 minutes. So I just walked home 2 miles. You can bet I have not forgotten it since then .

[hozn]

@Terpfan 113844 wrote:

Easier versus a car? I would say, eh, depends if I have my levers on me and if it’s my rear tire of the bike. I can change a flat on a car relatively fast, probably on par with changing my bike flats sans levers. It’s always getting the last piece of the damn tire to pop back on and no matter how much I do the bend it over trick, I swear it’s just annoying.

You need a Crank Bros Speed(ier) Lever. Those make mounting tough tires/rim combos not only easily doable buy quite …. speedy!

I have gotten faster at changing tubes, though I still spend time to make sure I understand the reason for the flat. Have had too many times where I miss the piece of wire/glass and just immediately flat my new tube.

[creadinger]

Southern winds blow strong
Dirt and dust on fourteenth bridge
Fast cars, dirty teeth

[Author]

Posts