My first flat tire…a question about flat repair…

[SerialCarpins]

Yesterday after riding for just under 5 years….I got my first flat tire (Many thanks to whoever left a thumbtack on the Capital Crescent Trail just before the Maryland line…although, at least it made it easy to find and repair the hole)

First off, I had about ten people pass me while I was stopped, and around 8 of them asked if I had everything I needed….two of them even stopped to check on me…A very big THANK YOU to those that asked or stopped…even those that didn’t at least looked me over to see me working on the tire and seeing that I was OK…despite what one would think in 2011, courtesy and care is somewhat alive and well out there somewhere…

Secondly, the patched tire (Which worked surprisingly well, considering I had never done it before) got me home, but since I’ve never done it before, is it worth getting a new tube, or can I ride on this for awhile? I don’t really know if these things are designed for long-term use, or if it’s just a temporary measure…thanks all!

Topic

[consularrider]

I am using a Lezyne Drive pump that has a pen gauge on the hose (you have to buy it separately) that works with both presta and schraeder valves. I also line up my valve stem with printing on the tire, but use the recommended inflation info as my marker. That way I am always looking at my target when I am pumping. With different bikes, it helps remind me.

[Greenbelt]

I consider tires that go flat as disloyal. I shred them with my wife’s expensive meat scissors, and hang their remains out for the all the other tires to see, as a warning of the penalty for treason.

[CCrew]

@Tim Kelley 5824 wrote:

Another option is to always line the brand name of the tire up with the valve stem of the tube when you put them on the wheel. That way you don’t have to worry about carrying chalk around if you aren’t changing it at home!

Plus, I’m told, it looks more “pro.”

d00d, it’s a rule!

Rule #40 / Tires are to be mounted with the label centered directly over the valve stem.
Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it. This will save you precious seconds while your fat ass sits on the roadside fumbling with your CO2 after a flat. It also looks better for photo opportunities.

[SerialCarpins]

Excellent…thanks for all the advice/anecdotes everyone!

Yeah, I certainly didn’t have an hour to let my patch dry…the instructions that came with the kit said at least five minutes, and since I had a two year old waiting for me to pick him up at daycare, I waited for the minimum five minutes, slapped the tire back together, inflated (with my small manual hand pump) and got home safe. I was lucky, having watched a few “how to” videos online, and also being able to read and follow directions. :p That, and the fact that I was also lucky that it was the front tire, which is a bit easier to deal with than the rear, and that the huge thunderstorm had stopped already…

At any rate…all the planets lined up, and it went well…

Since I don’t do any huge rides (12 mile commute each way for work) I’m gonna stick with riding on the patched tube for at least the next week until I have a free moment to hit up a bike shop for new tubes…

Thanks again, everyone! As always, great advice (and amusing bits) from the forum…

[Author]

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