Flat tyre - Triathlon - Runner's World

Chris 100

27/01/2004 at 10:44

I am just about to start triathlon training, I am doing FLM and don't think I can maintain motivation through running alone for the rest of the year and so the change.

It's a long time since I rode a bike alot and the tyres on my new bike look very thin and fragile (especially at 80-100psi) What do I do if 30 miles from home a tyre goes flat? Is it a case of carrying a spare and trying to change it on the side of the road with mini tyre levers etc ?

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

27/01/2004 at 10:51

This is of interest to me also as im new to cycling.

I have spare tubes and a bike tool and will be carrying the kit in case of puncture.

Guess the best plan is to practice changing the tube a couple of times in the comfort of your garage so when it happens for real you know what your doing.

Pump or Aerosol?

Not sure whats best to take on my rises, do you experienced peeps use a pump or one of those aerosol bike inflator gadget thingies?

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 11:14

Its worth pumping your tyres a bit harder than 100psi if they can go harder, this will cut down the chance of a puncture.

its also worth having a set of tyres for training on, as race tyres are generally to light and fragile for everyday riding.

Save your Aerosol for race day and take a pump on your training rides as these can fail. It may be worth taking an Aerosol on one training ride so you can get used to using it (thats providing you puncture)

There is a tyre called a Specialized Armadillo, this is a training tyre that can virtually guarantee no puntures!! Honest!!!

cougie

pirate

27/01/2004 at 11:16

Oh dear. Erm, punctures are quite rare. (or they were until I just said that !)

Obviously keep an eye out for what you are riding over. I once blew both tyres by hitting a pothole coming off a roundabout in full tuck position on the tribars. DOh !
Hedge cuttings can be nasty though - watch out if that's happened.

I always take a spare tube - usually a brand new one - I don't trust repaired ones that much. And you can get some high pressure Leech patches that just stick to punctured inner tubes rather than doing the glue stuff. That's OK in the extreme chance you get 2 punctures in a ride !

Take tyre levers with you - you don't need them all the time depending on the fit of the tyre, but sometimes they are vital. Just watch when you put the tyre back on that you don't pinch the new inner tube.

Take a pump with you. I think the large frame pumps are the best. I'm struggling to find a half decent mini pump. Don't bother with aerosols.

Use a track pump at home to ensure your tyres are at the right pressure before you go out.

Check your tyres from time to time. If you get holes I sometimes put a spot of superglue to stop things getting into the tyre.

Tyres are very sturdy, and despite what Daz thinks ;-) you can hit a cattle grid at 50mph with no blowouts !

Dead legs

27/01/2004 at 11:17

Chris,

If you go to Halfords you can buy inner tubes or a product I think its called "Goo".

Basically it self seals if you get a puncture. I've used the inner tubes myself and have not had a puncture yet.

cougie

pirate

27/01/2004 at 11:17

Sorry - didn't see JLK's post.

Forgot - if you use Quick Release Wheels - make sure you know how to take them off and put them back on securely.

If you haven't got QR's - take a spanner with you !

cougie

pirate

27/01/2004 at 11:19

Goo would be good for training on, but I bet it slows you down on race day.

Chris 100

27/01/2004 at 11:30

Thanks for the advice, I like the idea of the armadillos, just looked them up on web and they appear almost puncture proof. Don't accelerate as well as a normal tyre apparently - not sure if thats relevant to a beginner. Has anyone else tried these tyres, can you notice a difference?

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 11:33

Cougie, i have a mini pump called an Airforce by Specialized. It will pump upto 80+ psi, i even pumped my car tyre up with it the other day! Dont ask!!

Slime??? Mmmmmm!!!!!!

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 11:36

I have a friend who races on the continent as a Pro and he reckons he got 8000k's on them.

They are a bit slower though not enough to make you think you've bruised legs like some ive ridden.

Ping Pong Boy

27/01/2004 at 11:36

Confession time. I was out for a 35 mile cycle last weekend. At just about the furthest point from home I got a flat and had no spare and no puncture repair kit. F***CK!

So I thought, what the hell I'll just ride back on the flat. Well I didn't realise know that I would knacker the wheel. I'm waiting on the verdict about how much it's going to cost me. But I'm not a happy chappy. So I'll always carry a spare tube and pump from now on.

PPB.

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 11:41

Nice one, i guess its better than walking home in bare foot or in your road shoes?! just ride!!

It's gonna cost you about £50 ish for a 9spd wheel (back wheel)

cougie

pirate

27/01/2004 at 11:43

OOoh - ta for the tips. I'll look for them. COuld do with a bombproof tyre for my fixed wheel winter bike as it would be a faff changing the rear on it.

PPB - don't feel bad - one of my clubmates who should know better - did the same. On his carbon disk wheel !!!!!

SalfordRower

27/01/2004 at 12:49

i got a blow out on sunday with my rear wheel and i mean blow out. Fish tailed all over the place and i have no idea what caused it. It meant i had to run a couple of miles with the bike (it's still where I left it as i don't have a spare inner tube :( )

Still I'm not a serious cyclist thankfully and never go more than a couple of miles at once on any bike

MMmmm Universal Twinkler

27/01/2004 at 13:10

maybe its the whole mtb, miles from anywhere civilisation thing, background I come from... but do you all REALLY go out without spare inners and pumps and tyre levers...?

they don't take up that much room....

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 13:23

Could be an excuse to get a lift home?!

cougie

pirate

27/01/2004 at 13:26

HOW many times would I have liked that !

Not done it yet though.

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 13:37

Had to walk 6miles once whilst out training in Lanzarote. Broken Chain.
Would have loved a lift, instead i found a german with a chain tool. He actually knew a lot of english though they were all swear words.
Saved me walking the last 15miles.

Funny enough i seem to carry a chain tool where ever i go now!!!!!

Lindi - Livin' the dream :-) pirate

pirate

27/01/2004 at 13:50

I always carry a tool kit - for ages I tought it was silly carrying a chain splitter with me but did eventually get to use it on a friends bike whose chain snapped on a MTB ride.

My top tip is to learn how to use it - ended up taking a couple of attempts to get the thing back together so his chain ended up a bit short - at least his gears worked much better with a shorter chain!

But don't think just cause you are carrying a spare tube you won't have to walk home.... I once went for a leisurely afternoon cycle on my MTB -
1st puncture - changed the tube in the back,
2nd puncture - mended hole in back,
3rd puncture - mended hole in front, broke pump and begged help from passing motorist who luckily had a pump,
4th puncture - walked to nearby National trust property, begged my way in as had no money, sat on floor in toilets mending 'spare' tube to much tutting from old ladies. Returned to bike to discover both tires flat.

Decided to give up and phone everyone I knew for a lift home - nobody in! Walked 3 miles to nearest station - no trains on a Sunday!
Eventually walked about 8 miles home, very fed up.

Since then I often carry two spare tubes!

jeffery lady killer

27/01/2004 at 13:55

I guess you should have checked your tyre for 'thorns'?

Gutted!!!!