daredevil

I commute on a 26 inch wheeled bike. Currently I'm running 26 X 1.5. Those are a hell of a lot easier to change than a 700. I don't need anything but a speed stick.

SingingSabre 

Helped a guy yesterday fix a flat on the MUP. Got to use my CO2 cartridge for the first time, as mini pumps suck and I don't care to sink money into trying a new one (although the Topeak Road Morph has my eye).

He offered me a couple bucks, I said "Pay it forward."

While we were working on it, another guy stopped by and asked if we needed help.

znomit

yeah, only time mine have been used in anger is helping a guy who was walking home(about 10miles!).

Anyhoooo... to the OP
You real problem, if you haven't figured it out already... is you don't have enough bikes! Always have a spare on hand!

ok_commuter

Will people please stop saying "Pay it Forward"? That was such a hokey, horrible movie. That was never a saying before that movie was it? Just a terrible, terrible movie. Let's come up with a different phrase, one that doesn't make me think of that awful, annoying film.

squeakywheel

I do that too. I've had tubes pop because they were twisted or pinched under the wire bead. Now I pump up a little, bounce the tire on the ground a few times all the way around, let the air out, and then pump up fully.

HeIncreasesMe

My goodness. I feel the same exact way. Too bad my bank account doesn't. Savings is one greedy monster.

I am hoping to put together a bike soon. Something really cool and classy.

AmberRae

in offering you a beer, i think it may be possible she was't JUST trying to THANK you

jyossarian

If I was single, I'd have taken her up on the beer. Damn wedding vows!

Febs

I had my own bad tire experience this morning. Got a flat about 6 miles from home. Installed my spare tube and proceeded to snap the valve off while inflating it with my frame pump. Removed the spare tube, patched the old tube, and reinstalled it. Unfortunately, I managed to puncture it in two places while doing so, and I only had one patch left.

Sigh.

I've patched and changed many flats in my day but this was the first experience I've had since returning to cycling after a 10 year hiatus. To avoid having a similar problem in the future, I went to the LBS near my office at lunch and bought 3 spare tubes, a new patch kit, a CO2 kit, and some new tire levers. (My old tire levers were aluminum and had some sharp edges that no doubt contributed to the problem.) I'm sure I'll have better luck when I get home tonight and have another go at it.

amit_shah25 

+1

TromboneAl

I had two separate flats yesterday. Fixed one by locating the leak, and pulling out the tube in that location only, and applying a patch. This is the first time I've used a simple patch that didn't involve glue, rubbing, and cellophane removal. The new system is great.

Second flat involved a thumbtack. I heard a clicking, and then saw the tack. I just replaced the tube on that one.

DavidW56

I fixed my first flat when I was maybe 12 or 13. Trial and error. Used screwdrivers to get the tire off the rim. Didn't know there were specialized tools for such things. That was on a 1969 or 1970 Royce Union three-speed. Those tires were difficult to move on and off the rims. My current bikes are not so difficult; but then, I've now got better tools.

I used to sprinkle a little baby powder inside the tire so the tube wouldn't stick. Does anyone else?

As for helping other people -- I've never encountered a bicyclist with a flat on the road, but when I was much younger and driving unreliable cars, nearly every time my car broke down or had a flat, someone with an even worse vehicle than mine would stop and offer help. That impressed me -- usually someone with less than I had was willing to help. I've always had AAA for emergency road assistance, so it was never an issue -- but I've always stopped to help others on the road. It's just neighborly.

n_r_child

While I wouldn't say it was pure joy, I did help (or try to help) two different riders this past weekend. First guy had a spare tube but no levers. I lent him mine, he managed to bend the tip of my steel-core levers. I think he was running overly wide mountain tires on a too-narrow rim, but that is just my theory. To top it off, once he got the tire off he discovered his spare tube was Schrader and didn't fit in his Presta-drilled rim. I was on my roadie, and only had equipment for such, so couldn't help him. He did offer to get me new levers, which was nice.

Luckily, my attempt on the return ride went better. Another roadie was stopped in the rain, and I was able to help her and her father change her tire much more quickly than they were achieving. I'm just glad it wasn't me with the flat, because the tire / rim combo I have on that bike usually requires 40 minutes to get a flat changed.

And I have to admit, I was paying it forward because the last time I flatted I only had one lever with me, and on that bike, one just doesn't work (for me). For the bike-tour guide that stopped to help, it did.

ericy

Once you have mastered the basic technique of changing tires, you eventually find that you can change change a tire without the use of tire irons. Initially I would avoid the tire irons when putting the new tube on (mainly to avoid pinching the tire with the irons) - it got to be easy enough that I reasoned that I could do the same when removing the tire as well.

Thus I don't bother carrying tire irons any more. Makes my pannier just that little bit lighter.

10 Wheels

Put the valve nut inside the rim. When finished pumping the tube you will not damage the area
when pulling off the pump head. (see Pic)

hxzero

Wikipedia says it was. Don't let a bad movie ruin a decent phrase.

ablang

My brother swears by the Hurricane Air Scepter Mini.

AmberRae

hahaha, good reason... I GUESS!! jk... if only more men were like you :sigh: