Changed my first flat
#1
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Changed my first flat
I've had a few flats before, on my hybrid, and despite having a spare tube, tire levers, and a pump in my bag, I just walked my bike to the LBS, ( In Korea, many within walking distance from nearly anywhere ) mainly because I was too nervous to change a flat myself. What if I couldn't get the wheel off? what if I punctured the tube trying to put the tire back on, what if I couldn't put the wheel back in place etc.
Today, while cleaning the wife's bike, a Specialized Como 2.0 e bike, the back tire completely deflated, I pumped up the tire, but it deflated quickly. At least 2km out from one of the LBS's, I thought bugger it, I'm going fix the flat. The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
The bike has Nimbus Sport Reflect, 650b x 2.3", so quite large, and no quick release, luckily GCN had a couple of change tire videos, so off I went, the whole process took about 40 minutes, but what an experience, luckily all went well, but so glad I conquered my fear of changing a flat.
Here's hoping for no more flats but at least now, I have the confidence of fixing it myself, hopefully successfully here on out.
Today, while cleaning the wife's bike, a Specialized Como 2.0 e bike, the back tire completely deflated, I pumped up the tire, but it deflated quickly. At least 2km out from one of the LBS's, I thought bugger it, I'm going fix the flat. The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
The bike has Nimbus Sport Reflect, 650b x 2.3", so quite large, and no quick release, luckily GCN had a couple of change tire videos, so off I went, the whole process took about 40 minutes, but what an experience, luckily all went well, but so glad I conquered my fear of changing a flat.
Here's hoping for no more flats but at least now, I have the confidence of fixing it myself, hopefully successfully here on out.
#3
Newbie
good experience getting dirty
Good for you! Sometimes it is more difficult getting the grease off your hands than doing the change!
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#4
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I can tell you it gets easier, but no less annoying. But when you do get your next flat you can say to yourself..."I got this!"
Good job!
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Must be nice, I'm jealous !! Around here it's a CVC pharmacy, a Dollar Store, or another convenience store/ gas station, that you can't seem to go a block without running into.
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The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
#8
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Good for you, friend! My "return" to cycling (35 years?) was fraught with repair nervousness. After six years I marvel that I ever used my LBS for any adjustments or derailleure installation. Only bottom brackets as I lack knowledge and tools. Derailleur adjustments were a bundle of nerves at first... youtube and practice have made them routine. I patched my first tire, successfully, two weeks ago and now carry it as a spare, after a thankfully rare nail puncture.
Don't be afraid to "mess it up"... and you will be amazed how many times you succeed!
Don't be afraid to "mess it up"... and you will be amazed how many times you succeed!
#9
Fredly Fredster
Changing a flat sucks no matter the situation. Easier in the garage..... less so out in the wild.
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One happened at a local country gas station, that has some covered picnic tables (where, coincidentally, I do a lot of my Craigslist-type meets). I flipped the mtn bike upside down on a table, replaced the tube, pumped it up,and hit the road !
Easy peasy !
The other was on my road bike. I was checking the bike and getting my bottles ready for an early ride the next morning, and saw that my front was flat. I grabbed my changing gear, and took it inside where I had TV and air conditioning, and patched that one, and had it all back together in about 10 minutes. That one was so quick and easy I'd have almost called it fun !! (especially in comparison to some, that have been highly inconvenient and a real headache).
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#11
Fredly Fredster
While admittedly, it ain't no party, if you have some cooperative tires, it can be an outright breeze. My last couple flats, first I've had in a couple years, couldn't have been less of a delay or headache.
One happened at a local country gas station, that has some covered picnic tables (where, coincidentally, I do a lot of my Craigslist-type meets). I flipped the mtn bike upside down on a table, replaced the tube, pumped it up,and hit the road !
Easy peasy !
The other was on my road bike. I was checking the bike and getting my bottles ready for an early ride the next morning, and saw that my front was flat. I grabbed my changing gear, and took it inside where I had TV and air conditioning, and patched that one, and had it all back together in about 10 minutes. That one was so quick and easy I'd have almost called it fun !! (especially in comparison to some, that have been highly inconvenient and a real headache).
One happened at a local country gas station, that has some covered picnic tables (where, coincidentally, I do a lot of my Craigslist-type meets). I flipped the mtn bike upside down on a table, replaced the tube, pumped it up,and hit the road !
Easy peasy !
The other was on my road bike. I was checking the bike and getting my bottles ready for an early ride the next morning, and saw that my front was flat. I grabbed my changing gear, and took it inside where I had TV and air conditioning, and patched that one, and had it all back together in about 10 minutes. That one was so quick and easy I'd have almost called it fun !! (especially in comparison to some, that have been highly inconvenient and a real headache).
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I've had a few flats before, on my hybrid, and despite having a spare tube, tire levers, and a pump in my bag, I just walked my bike to the LBS, ( In Korea, many within walking distance from nearly anywhere ) mainly because I was too nervous to change a flat myself. What if I couldn't get the wheel off? what if I punctured the tube trying to put the tire back on, what if I couldn't put the wheel back in place etc.
Today, while cleaning the wife's bike, a Specialized Como 2.0 e bike, the back tire completely deflated, I pumped up the tire, but it deflated quickly. At least 2km out from one of the LBS's, I thought bugger it, I'm going fix the flat. The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
The bike has Nimbus Sport Reflect, 650b x 2.3", so quite large, and no quick release, luckily GCN had a couple of change tire videos, so off I went, the whole process took about 40 minutes, but what an experience, luckily all went well, but so glad I conquered my fear of changing a flat.
Here's hoping for no more flats but at least now, I have the confidence of fixing it myself, hopefully successfully here on out.
Today, while cleaning the wife's bike, a Specialized Como 2.0 e bike, the back tire completely deflated, I pumped up the tire, but it deflated quickly. At least 2km out from one of the LBS's, I thought bugger it, I'm going fix the flat. The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
The bike has Nimbus Sport Reflect, 650b x 2.3", so quite large, and no quick release, luckily GCN had a couple of change tire videos, so off I went, the whole process took about 40 minutes, but what an experience, luckily all went well, but so glad I conquered my fear of changing a flat.
Here's hoping for no more flats but at least now, I have the confidence of fixing it myself, hopefully successfully here on out.
#14
Senior Member
I've had a few flats before, on my hybrid, and despite having a spare tube, tire levers, and a pump in my bag, I just walked my bike to the LBS, ( In Korea, many within walking distance from nearly anywhere ) mainly because I was too nervous to change a flat myself. What if I couldn't get the wheel off? what if I punctured the tube trying to put the tire back on, what if I couldn't put the wheel back in place etc.
Today, while cleaning the wife's bike, a Specialized Como 2.0 e bike, the back tire completely deflated, I pumped up the tire, but it deflated quickly. At least 2km out from one of the LBS's, I thought bugger it, I'm going fix the flat. The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
The bike has Nimbus Sport Reflect, 650b x 2.3", so quite large, and no quick release, luckily GCN had a couple of change tire videos, so off I went, the whole process took about 40 minutes, but what an experience, luckily all went well, but so glad I conquered my fear of changing a flat.
Here's hoping for no more flats but at least now, I have the confidence of fixing it myself, hopefully successfully here on out.
Today, while cleaning the wife's bike, a Specialized Como 2.0 e bike, the back tire completely deflated, I pumped up the tire, but it deflated quickly. At least 2km out from one of the LBS's, I thought bugger it, I'm going fix the flat. The flat was on the inner side of the tube , facing the rim .
The bike has Nimbus Sport Reflect, 650b x 2.3", so quite large, and no quick release, luckily GCN had a couple of change tire videos, so off I went, the whole process took about 40 minutes, but what an experience, luckily all went well, but so glad I conquered my fear of changing a flat.
Here's hoping for no more flats but at least now, I have the confidence of fixing it myself, hopefully successfully here on out.
#15
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Good for you! I really need to try that. I know, in theory, how to change a tire, but I have never actually needed to do it. Probably better to figure it out in my garage than on the side of the road. And I should probably buy a new mini pump. I have a spare tube, tire levers and a patch kit in my saddle bag, but my mini pump bounced off my frame and rolled away. I was miles away before I realized what that sound was. Not very useful to carry everything needed to change a tire with no way to inflate it.
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Something to look forward to...riding familiar routes and passing locations where you remember fixing a flat.
#18
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I love it sincerely when people celebrate small but important victories.
As someone who has had to change 4 tubes in the course of one century, I wish you as little roadside practice of this skill as possible, but am glad you now will be able to deal with the situation if it arises.
Is the traffic in Korea as bad as I have heard?
As someone who has had to change 4 tubes in the course of one century, I wish you as little roadside practice of this skill as possible, but am glad you now will be able to deal with the situation if it arises.
Is the traffic in Korea as bad as I have heard?
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When I was riding bikes casually, I never thought that I might get a flat—and I swear I never got one. Then I started riding all the time and read on here about people getting flat tires and studied up on how to fix them and started riding with a spare tube and mini-pump. That’s when I started getting flats!
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#21
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Thanks for the words of encouragement !
I took the tube to the LBS, but the owner said he had no idea.
No I didn't, it never crossed my mind, I will definitely check next time if it happens again.
Yes, Seoul traffic would have to rank up there
I took the tube to the LBS, but the owner said he had no idea.
Yes, Seoul traffic would have to rank up there
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When I was riding bikes casually, I never thought that I might get a flat—and I swear I never got one. Then I started riding all the time and read on here about people getting flat tires and studied up on how to fix them and started riding with a spare tube and mini-pump. That’s when I started getting flats!