Newb questions about fixing flats.

[lordofthemark]

I am a bit embarrassed to show what a mtnce newb I am, but embarrassment keeps people from learning, so here goes.

I had a flat over a month ago, someone lent me a tube, I am now trying to fix the flat so I can return the tube (my old tube is a schrader, and the borrowed one a presta, so they are not interchangeable) and because I need to learn to do this.

I managed to find the puncture, and there were two holes near each other (which I guess means it was a pinch flat?)

I used the little roughening tool that I found in my bike room toolkit, some glue (from my own flat fixing kit, some swag I got on BTWD I think) and the little patches. I think I did one of the patches too quickly (and had glue on my fingers and was generally messy about it) and didn’t quite get it down smoothly on the tube surface – anyway, when I came back to look at the tube a day later (I did not put the tube in the tire yet) it had lost most of the air I had filled the tube with. This weekend I tried again, putting a third patch on top of the patch that seemed to have been put down wrong, filled the tire again, and rode off (on the borrowed presta tube – I wanted to make sure the fix was holding) When I came back a few hours later, the tube had lost the air again.

So question 1 – does this show I patched improperly – or is there something about inner tubes that they will not hold air if outside a bike tire? (Remember there is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION).

If the latter, I guess I should fill the tire, and then put it in the tire right away.

If the former, do I need to remove the patches I have put on and start from scratch?

Your assistance is appreciated.

Topic

[hozn]

If you removed the rim strip then it is certainly inevitable that you would flat due to tube being cut by the spoke holes, yeah.

If you did not, then probably just failed to remove the original culprit.

Not sure what you mean, by needing several pumps to install the tube, but you can just blow (i.e. with your mouth) in the tube to give it a little volume/shape initially for install if you are in situation where you only have co2.

[lordofthemark]

Turned out it was a piece of glass that had gone through the tire. Since the tire was balding, I replaced it as well as the tube. The presta tube has been paid forward (Helen said they give stuff like that to bikes for the world) and I also have my old schrader tube at home, that I will attempt to patch SLOWLY and CAREFULLY when I get the chance.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@hozn 139884 wrote:

in situation where you only have co2.

The solution to this, of course, is to just get a frame-mounted mini pump. They weigh and take up about the same amount of room as CO2 and you’re only limited by your arms’ pumping endurance. I went with CO2 when I was noob and just went with what the bike shop gave me, but now I don’t really understand why people waste their time with it. I’m sure many have made some sort of cost/benefit calculation with it…I guess they just view that equation differently than me.

[hozn]

@TwoWheelsDC 139889 wrote:

but now I don’t really understand why people waste their time with it.

I ride with a pump in jersey pocket (or my backpack) and co2 in saddle bag. I use co2 if I am on a group ride and people are waiting for me to fix my flat. It obviously saves time. Otherwise I just use a pump and save the co2.

Definitely agree that riding with co2 only is foolish. As I think is riding without patches in addition to the spare tube(s).

[Anonymous]

@TwoWheelsDC 139889 wrote:

The solution to this, of course, is to just get a frame-mounted mini pump. They weigh and take up about the same amount of room as CO2 and you’re only limited by your arms’ pumping endurance. I went with CO2 when I was noob and just went with what the bike shop gave me, but now I don’t really understand why people waste their time with it. I’m sure many have made some sort of cost/benefit calculation with it…I guess they just view that equation differently than me.

Also, the variables in our equations probably have different values. 😮

yes, yes, I need to go pick up some barbells or milk jugs or something a bunch of times

[vern]

In 9th grade we had to give a “demonstration speech”. I chose to give my speech/demonstration on how to fix a flat tire on a bike. It’s a good life skill.

[lordofthemark]

I kind of feel it makes sense to first make sure I really can do a competent patch, before loading up on stuff to carry around to do patches in the field.

[mstone]

@lordofthemark 139910 wrote:

I kind of feel it makes sense to first make sure I really can do a competent patch, before loading up on stuff to carry around to do patches in the field.

The proper approach is to get a flat on a group ride, so everyone can offer a critique of your procedure.

[Anonymous]

An incompetent patch may still be sufficient to get you home.

…

#totallytheoreticallyspeaking #notlikefromexperienceoranything

[bentbike33]

@Amalitza 139900 wrote:

Also, the variables in our equations probably have different values. 😮

yes, yes, I need to go pick up some barbells or milk jugs or something a bunch of times

Shop for your pump at the LBS and ask to try some out on tires with pressure ratings like the ones you expect to fix. Then you can see if you are strong enough to do it with the selected pump, or need to try a different model. Generally, the skinnier the pump, the less strength you need to get to high pressure, but the more strokes you need to achieve volume. Many manufacturers offer MTB (fatter) and Road (skinnier) versions of pumps. The one I have is on the fat side, but is designed to be braced against the ground like a floor pump so I can put my weight into it to hit 120 psi.

[Tim Kelley]

@bentbike33 139933 wrote:

so I can put my weight into it to hit 120 psi.

Are you pumping up tubulars?

[bentbike33]

@Tim Kelley 139939 wrote:

Are you pumping up tubulars?

No, ISO 571 x 23 clinchers.

[Vicegrip]

@hozn 139899 wrote:

I ride with a pump in jersey pocket (or my backpack) and co2 in saddle bag. I use co2 if I am on a group ride and people are waiting for me to fix my flat. It obviously saves time. Otherwise I just use a pump and save the co2.

Definitely agree that riding with co2 only is foolish. As I think is riding without patches in addition to the spare tube(s).

I ride with a small pocket rocket pump, spare tube and patches. Got burned once riding with CO2 only and had to make the “call of shame”
Very good point on the CO2 for group rides that I had not contemplated and plan to add that to group rides.

[lordofthemark]

@lordofthemark 139910 wrote:

I kind of feel it makes sense to first make sure I really can do a competent patch, before loading up on stuff to carry around to do patches in the field.

So, I finally took some time on Monday to go to the bike room and patch the tire. Checked it this AM, and the tube was still filled with air! Evidently I patched it correctly. So now I will have to go back to contemplating what stuff to carry around.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@lordofthemark 142590 wrote:

So, I finally took some time on Monday to go to the bike room and patch the tire. Checked it this AM, and the tube was still filled with air! Evidently I patched it correctly. So now I will have to go back to contemplating what stuff to carry around.

1 x mini pump/frame pump
1 x NEW innertube
1 x self-adhesive patch kit and tire boot (no cold vulcanizing glue!!)
2 x tire levers
1 x multitool

Don’t skimp. Leave the patched tubes at home or for emergencies only.

[Author]

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