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28/02/2010 11:09:00 PM
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Daniel M Smith
Posts 7
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I hate these things...really annoys a otherwise enjoyable ride/sport. What I do when I get one on a training ride is replace the inner tube, either throw the buggered one away or carry it to the nearest bin like I should. I check the inside of the tyre, and outside for the cause, then put a new tube in and pump it up. Now what do others do? I mean, my little pump on my bike is kinda useless, but I know others use a gas inflator thingo, and others I know use puncture repair kits. But this takes ages and if I'm running late for something, i do not like the idea of waiting for glue to go tacky.
Just want to hear how others handle this and is there such a thing as a puncture proof tyre?
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1/03/2010 12:59:54 AM
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Michael Warner
Posts 121
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I take my dead tube home and patch it there, unless it's a pinch flat or a serious tear. On the road, I carry a Park glueless patch kit to deal with the remote possibility of a second flat or a dead spare tube - I've only ever needed one once, and it held up fine, even though it's not meant to be permanent. Most other glueless patches are reportedly crap.
Those gas inflators are fast and get up to a high pressure, but they're heavy, you don't need 120psi to finish a ride, they make it too easy to blow out your spare tube through a tyre cut, and you'd need a pump as a backup anyway. I carry a small Lezyne road pump, which I like because it's light and connects to the valve with a screw-on hose - it's too easy to bend valve stems with the standard type.
Also carry a boot (piece of old tyre, thick rubber etc) to get you home if you cut your tyre right through. It's saved me a couple of times.
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1/03/2010 1:12:08 AM
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Michael Warner
Posts 121
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As for puncture-proof tyres: You can get tyres which are very thick, or put thick plastic liner strips inside them, but at the cost of very high rolling resistance.
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1/03/2010 1:00:36 PM
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Aaron Griffiths
Posts 8
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Daniel
I have 2 strategies, depending on the bike:
1. For long rides on my racing bike, I replace the tube on the spot and, like Michael, I carry a puncture repair kit for the subsequent punctures.
2. For my commuting bike (it's a nice term for my crappy runaround!) I installed a liner (kevlar I think) that I bought from the bike shop for around $10-15 for a pair nearly 2 years ago and I haven't had a puncture yet. This was a frustrated reaction to having 3 punctures in the one week of riding to work and trying to fix them in rain, darkness etc! The liners really give me certainty about getting to work on time. When I drive to work my arrival time is fluid, since it depends on traffic volume, accidents etc. When I ride to work my arrival time can be estimated down to the nearest 3-5mins (only factor is wind) since I don't have to worry about punctures. Overconfidence Disclaimer: I still carry a spare tube on the commuting bike!
I'm having a good run at the moment - no puncture for about 2 months on then racing bike........it's strange, you won't have a puncture for about 1000km or so and therefore your mind is oblivious to having one. Then suddenly you get a puncture and your first thought is "man, what if I get another one in the next 100metres" and you become paranoid about getting one!
It doesn't matter how many thousands of $$$$ your bike costs, it only takes one prick to stop you in your tracks..............someone will make a fortune if they advance tyre technology to prevent punctures!
edited by Aaron Griffiths on 1/03/2010
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1/03/2010 5:15:25 PM
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Mr White
Posts 14
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I've found Continental Gatorskins to be great for general training rides (but race on singles) - haven't had a puncture in last 12 months (~15k km). However, I still take at least 1 tube with me. I have only been caught out once when both tyres sliced by broken glass bottle in city early on a Saturday morning (obviously left there by the ferrels from the night before) - "simple" fix was phone call to wife at 0530. Lesson learnt - don't go through the middle of town after Fri/Sat nights. Also, steer clear of kerbs near pubs as all they do is use blower vac to blow glass and other sh.. onto the roadway. I do the vast majority of my riding in the hills so that probably another reason I haven't had many punctures.
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2/03/2010 9:03:00 AM
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Mr White
Posts 14
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There I go, tempting fate again - puncture this morning (admittedly a 10mm long piece of wire/staple) in Hutt St - stay out of the city!
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2/03/2010 1:55:33 PM
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Chris Wolff
Posts 12
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I normally swear a bit. On the commuter I carry two tubes and have oy ever used 1. I carry a pump on that bike and it's been fine. Onthe weekend bike I carry a couple of cannisters and an inflator. If I go with mates I don't normally carry a second tube but do if I am bymyself. I find good tyres are the best way to avoid the attentions of the puncture gods. I ride gp4000s and have found them good. Present pair have done about 5000 mm without a puncture yet. That should jinx it though so look for me on the side of the road tonight.
I will normally patch the tube unless it's a pinch flat in which case it gets chucked.
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3/03/2010 9:33:58 AM
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Gary S
Posts 19
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........and if you're new to the cycling caper, beware the use of tyre levers when putting the tyre back on after replacing the tube. If using tyre levers to leverage the last stubborn part of the tyre back onto the rim, there is a real possibility of pinching your new tube when putting the tyre back on (I did this 3 or 4 times when new to cycling). Whenever I puncture now, I inflate my new tube with just a few PSI and THEN roll the tyre back onto the rim with my hands (which is easy to do with Conti 4000s on my bike) all the way around the rim. By putting a small PSI into the tube first, you reduce the chance of inadvertently blowing the sidewall of your tyre out as a result of pinching the tube between the tyre and rim. Using hands to roll the tyre on should prevent pinch flats caused by tyre levers.
My hand pump is only good for 70-80 PSI into a new tube, but that's enough to get one out of the poo and back home.
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3/03/2010 3:34:35 PM
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Michael Warner
Posts 121
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Gary S wrote:
........and if you're new to the cycling caper, beware the use of tyre levers when putting the tyre back on after replacing the tube.
Many people think you need unusually strong hands to do it without levers, but in most cases it's just a matter of technique. Make sure that the rest of the bead is as deep into the rim as it'll go, since that leaves as much slack as possible for the last bit. Pulling the bead around the rim toward the last bit several times may help, too.
We definitely should practise this at home, so we know how hard it'll be on the road.
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3/03/2010 5:59:43 PM
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andrew rowling
Posts 23
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pick up the bike and repeatly throw it as far as you can
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3/03/2010 9:30:52 PM
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Michael Warner
Posts 121
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andrew rowling wrote:
pick up the bike and repeatly throw it as far as you can
And when your team mechanic comes running with another bike, scream at him and throw that one away, too!
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3/03/2010 11:51:09 PM
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Matt Sarre
Posts 8
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I'm with Michael and most others here. Change the tube, take it home and repair it there. I'm happy with a handpump too. You won't get 100+ PSI, but it gets me home no worries. I use Slime Skabs as my back up to repair a second puncture if needed. They are really quick to apply and while I've only used them 5-6 times (repairing tubes at home - only once on the road), I've never had a failure yet. I ride in the hills too mostly which accounts for my relatively few punctures too.
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7/03/2010 1:51:17 PM
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tb123
Posts 1
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I hate you guys, haven't had a puncture in ages, read this thread, been in the back of my mind and wham, run over a big nail yesterday just as it started to pour down!
+1, change the tube, repair or bin it when home.......
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8/03/2010 12:05:19 AM
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Robert Rau
Posts 149
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Wait for another cyclist to come along like happened to me today. Left the spare tube and cafe money on the kitchen table, course Im gonna puncture......thanx to the fellas who stopped and gave me a spare tube and loan of pump....."will do the same as do unto others" Didnt have to walk home......thankyou to the mysterious strangers
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8/03/2010 1:13:39 AM
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Michael Warner
Posts 121
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Time to invest in a tool bag and frame pump, Robert - relying on your memory to take that stuff is just tempting fate. BTW, I wouldn't give away my spare tube, but certainly a glueless patch.
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8/03/2010 12:11:20 PM
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Robert Rau
Posts 149
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Usually carry the tool bag in a pocket and a couple of tubes and dont mind handing out a few when needed or a free gas to help someone back on the road. Hate to see someone stuck out there all day or having to walk miles or annoy their "Misses" for a pick up. More people that want to ride in Adelaide the better and supporting a positive friendly attitude based on good values doesnt really hurt.
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6/04/2010 6:03:23 AM
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harley j
Posts 57
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Im 32 and never had a drivers license and logged over 260 000km since using my bicycle as my primary transport.
Im a puncture fixing specialist now! And so is anyone once they change a few flats. I patch my tubes with those small round patches you can buy at Bicycle Express on 124 Halifax St. They are about the size of 5c coin.
Secret is to apply the glue and wait at LEAST 5 minutes or more. Ive forogt about em and left em overnight and then applied the patch to the tube the next day and it was fine. Glue both the patch and tube.
I have a track pump with an accurate gauge at home and always carry a topeak pocket rocket pump with me. These pumps are great as you can buy spares for em if they wear out rather than having to throw out more resources. Every bit of resources we save adds up. On the monetary side of things, I get about 3 flats a month so at 10-15$ a tube thats 320$+ a year I would be throwing out moneywise and a few kg of rubber that I could save by just spending 10c on a patch and fixing the bugger.
Puncture proof tyres are Specialized Armadillo or Vittoria Rubino. Ive cycled across the nullabor on both of these tyres and not one single puncture. Ive also raced on em too.
I ALWAYS carry a spare tube, glue, patches, tyre levers and pump. For really big cuts in your tyre, you can patch it with a 5$ note until you get back, but this is only temporary!! My mate got a tyre slashed and put in a fiver and then a few weeks later we saw him railing down mt lofty with the same tyre! NOT THE SMART THING TO DO!
On epic solo rides over 400km or interstate etc, I carry a spare foldable tyre.
Sure it can be frustrating as a cycling newbie but remember the next time your already late for work and its raining and your hands are so cold you cant even flick the lever of your mini pump open..remember 'the universe only gives us things we can deal with'.
edited by harley j on 6/04/2010
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14/05/2010 1:21:50 PM
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Troy Collett
Posts 146
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The New Rubino looks good coz they`ve made it for Australian conditions.
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1/06/2010 11:21:04 AM
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Andrew Craick
Posts 1
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I dont stand by the GP4000's as i've had many punctures with them. Mainly very small pieces of glass or wire that slowly work their way through. Always give them a once over after riding and dig out anything thats embeded as it eventually it will get through. Even then if something gets lodged in on a ride and its too small to see without stopping and going over the things.
I also hit a rock with the GP4000 coming down donna buang and shredded the thing to pieces. Admittedly i dont think anything would have stood up to a rock that size and it was my own stupid fault for moving too late.
Get a Topeak mini or road morph to carry with you. You can easily get your tyres back up to 120Psi with this pump as it has a fold out foot that makes it kind of like a track pump because you can put your back into it. Its also got a pressure guage. I forgotten the number of times i've had to lend my pump to people who had bulbs with them but either couldn't use them or they didn't work.
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