dedhed

OK "tools" then. They use the same tools Al or steel, I use the same tools Al or steel.

rsbob 

Rather than name calling, making judgements and just being uncivil to the OP and each other, why not simply point out to the OP that there are videos on YouTube to help teach him the fundamentals or someone local that can give him a quick in person tutorial on changing a flat? It seems like there are a few that go out of their way to be unnecessarily cruel rather than encouraging and helpful.

when I first started cycling, I didn’t know squat about repairs. I certainly didn’t devine how to fix a sidewall blowout repair but was taught by a friend to use a folded dollar bill. How about a little charity to help people out? Isn’t that the point of forums; to help each other and to share the good and bad times? Asking for decency is not too much to ask.

And thank you to the respondent to my question on how to deal with a tubeless flat and am sure glad their response didn’t devolve into a rant about my moral and ethical failings. See people can be nice with as little effort as changing a tube. . Have a better day and maybe all of us can be a bit better people, myself included.

rydabent

No you dont HAVE to if you dont mind walking home.

rydabent

Of course I grew up on a farm and learned mechanics early. By the time I was 12 I learned how to regrease all bearings, and had taken my New Departure coaster brake apart and put it back together again. Flat tires are simple.

dabac

Re: CO2 inflators
OP, if you decide to take a step on the road to self-reliance and learn how to replace a tube - CO2 inflators are an option instead of a pump. They take less space and reduces the risk of pulling the valve off the tube.
But they introduce the risk of finding yourself cursing in a cloud of CO2 as the precious gas go just about everywhere apart from in the tube.
Buy a couple to practice with before you actually need them.

shelbyfv

Either my post doesn't mean what you think it means or you are being deliberately obtuse. Either way, it doesn't seem you have anything to contribute to my knowledge or appreciation of cycling. So, on you go to the iggy list.FWIW, you should use He with a capital in that context.

CargoDane

Hence why I wouldn't let you near my alu rims - car, bicycle, or motorbike.

CargoDane

Yawn. He made it clear that he'd rather phone a friend than patch a tube/tire:

Quote:

Even if I had a repair kit, I doubt I would use it. I would call a friend and hope they were available to pick me up a the nearest intersection and get my bike home.

In other words: He's not the least bit interested in learning how to do such basic things.

Milton Keynes

I was probably about the same age when my dad taught me how to patch a tube at his service station. Heck, at that age I may have even already been patching car tires. But around that age was when I not only worked for him, but he decreed that any flat bike tires that came in were my responsibility which I would receive the repair fees for.

Milton Keynes

I would never use that primitive method of dismounting a car tire. Too much work. Using a tire machine is much quicker & easier.

dmanthree

No kidding. I've made the call, but I only call when something happens that just isn't fixable. I always have a patch kit, small pump, and spare tube with me. Along with tire levers, and whatever I need. hell, once I cut a tire and used a folded $20 bill as a boot, along with some electrical tape to ride 20 miles home.

Milton Keynes

I think you're being a bit hyperbolic. It's not about never being in a situation where you need help, it's about being prepared enough to not need to bother someone else to bail you out of a situation you can easily get yourself out of.

Milton Keynes

When my wife's younger sister went to college in the early 2000's, she was amazed at how many girls in her dorm had absolutely no idea how to wash their clothes.

downhillmaster

Ok.
So you agree that anyone asking for help in that situation is entitled and ethically challenged?
Because that was the point I was clearly disputing.

Milton Keynes

I'm in that camp, too. I hate to break out a brand new tube when a patch job works just as well and doesn't really take that much more time than swapping out tubes. But the consensus seems to be that most people put in a new tube and patch the other one once they get home.

CargoDane

That wasn't the point you were "disputing". But whatever: Yes,a person who asks for people to go out of their way to help them because they can't be bothered to carry or do the most basic thing is indeed entitled and ethically challenged. Not "anyone asking for help in that situation". You really can't help with the strawmanning, can you?

CargoDane

Haha, glad I'm not the only one!

downtube42

Leave with no cell phone, no flat repair, no plan. Snacks, cash, and shoes you can walk in are useful. Enjoy the ride.

If something happens, you're a human with a brain, which is the best tool in the known universe for handling situations. Sit down, have a snack, and come up with a plan. You'll be fine.

After that experience, you may decide to carry something more. But realize that no matter what you carry, fixing the bike is not always possible. And that's just fine.

woodcraft

It depends.

There are tons of folks who ride around town with no flat repair capability- especially on bikes with bolted axles and chunky tires. I don't carry anything on my single speed grocery-getter...

I'm sure there are few here who would think of repairing, or even changing, a car or motorcycle tire themselves, nor would they think of shaming others for the same.

Milton Keynes

I agree that someone always relying on family or friends to drive out somewhere and pick them and their bicycle up because they refuse to learn how to patch a tire and carry a patch kit or spare tube with them is entitled and ethically challenged. I guarantee if I had a friend like that, I might pick them up the first time they called and then offer to teach them how to patch a tube. After that I'd get really tired of having to give up my spare time to help them out when they should be able to help themselves. Give a man a fish, teach a man to fish, and all that. If the man refuses to learn how to fish I'm not going to keep giving him one day in and day out. Just like how if I'm out riding with someone who has a flat I won't mind helping them repair it, but if they expect me to fix their tire every time they have a flat then I likely won't keep riding with them. Patches aren't expensive but it's the principle of the thing.

Ghazmh

5 pages, I’m impressed.

DudeManBro

been wondering this myself, thanks for the info!

downtube42

For me, it may depend on miles to go on the ride and/or days to go if I'm on a multi-day. Early on I'll patch, keeping the tubes for unrepairable failures. Closer to the end, I might be tempted to just swap in a tube and deal with it at home. OTOH if it's a nice day, maybe I'm tired of the saddle and there's somewhere decent to sit, I might just sit down, have a snack, and patch. OTOH if I'm riding with a group and they're waiting, I might throw in a tube and go; heck I might even use CO2 to be super quick.

There aren't any rules to follow or strict philosophies that must be adhered to. Ride, enjoy, deal with things as they come.

hipslo

while i am somewhat embarrassed to admit it, i don't have the skills to change a flat tire on my car, and I drive about 15k miles per year. how is this different in any material way? Especially now that AAA will pick up a cyclist with a flat and transport the cyclist and the bike back home (within a reasonable distance).

indyfabz

For one thing, you can sit inside your car while you are waiting for Super-Man to arrive and change your tire. Not so much when you’re riding. Also, AAA bike service is not available in all regions last I checked. And my time has value. I’d rather be able to take 10 min. to swap a tube than wait to be rescued. Not being able to fix common problems limits your options. I tour in rural places. I need to be able to deal with a flat.

BTW...I drive fewer than 3,000 miles/year and can (and have) change a car flat.