Excelsius

I did my first triathlon, only to get a flat on my rear wheel half way through the race. For the first time, I had removed the pump from my bike and had one CO2 cartridge. I haven't had a flat for over 1.5 years, so wasn't expecting this. Needless to say, the CO2 cartridge wasn't enough and there wasn't anyone around who could help. I was faced with either not finishing the tri or going on a flat. I chose the latter and still manage over 18mph average. My question is whether you think the wheel has to be replaced now. I have CAAD10 RS10 wheels, rode on smooth asphalt, and the tire stayed on the rim the whole time. I can't see any obvious damage. The wheel isn't true, but it also isn't bent out of shape. So I don't know whether I have to replace it or not. I know my $50 tire has to go, which was brand new - first ride. I'm pretty bummed about this. I had a puncture with the length of a fingernail.

And since we're on this topic, might as well get some tips on how to get a flat repaired ASAP. If you're in a race, what are some of the best techniques to fixing punctures? If the hole is obvious on the tire, has anyone tried to put the patch directly on the tire? This might be worth it even if it will last just a few miles. How about removing only a portion of the tube and patching it? Pinch flats might be more likely in this case, but maybe if you're careful it could work out. Or how about superglue on the tire? Just want to get some tips.

DaveWC

I don't get this. Why wasn't the Co2 cartridge enough?

AngryScientist 

assuming you're serious. neither of these will work. on a clincher tire system, it's the inner tube that holds the air. even if you think the cut is just in the tire, it is not. patching a tire without patching the inner tube is a useless idea, as the tire will not inflate in this manner.

Quick tips during a race:

more practice at changing a tire. the more you do it, the quicker you will become. for small leaks, vittoria pit-stop is a quick solution, basically "fix-a-flat" sealant for your tubes.

tagaproject6

Bring a spare tube. Unless you are absolutely positive on the location of the puncture, much easier than looking for a tiny little puncture and there may not be only one! Carry two CO2 cartridges.

Excelsius

I had never used CO2 before and thought I could get a few pumps out of it. After I inflated once, the air went straight out through another hole and that was it, no more CO2.

Excelsius

Yes, changing the tube is the most secure solution, but it's also the most time consuming if you're trying to finish your race in a good timeframe. I think that should be the last resort. By then, race is over anyway. It takes a good 5-10 min to change a rear tube.

I know that inner tube holds air, but my thinking is that if the tire is fixed and the tube inflated, the hole will come in contact with the tire and leak very slowly, giving you enough time to get to the finish line, even if you do have to pump it twice along the way. I'll try this at home and let you know how it goes.

popeye

Get more flats, practice make perfect.

mwchandler21

Changing the tube is the only solution unless it is an extremely slow leak. If your tube went suddenly flat it isn't a slow leak.

NWS Alpine

So you put only CO2 into the tube after a flat and were suprised it didn't work? You need to replace the tube first or the CO2 will just go right through the tube. You can use some sealants like stans no-tubes in a tube if it has removable cores. This will help on a lot of possible flat scenarios. It won't seal big puncutres. If the tire is ripped you might need to boot it. if you put a new tube it might puncture if it pushes through the casing. The vittoria put stop pictured above would work along with the hutchinson fast air as well.

deacon mark

Buy bulk co2 cartridges and practice. Normally it is not a slow leak carry and extra tube. I carry 2 co2 cart and a small mini pump 6 inches long. Co2 cartridges can have issues if you are not careful. Always carry a mini pump it gets you home. As far as a race, well it basically is over takes at least 5-10 to change a tube, I would never repair a tube until I got home. Finding the leak can be longer and it may not hold.

tagaproject6

You are taking way too many chances...but then again, a tire/tube with a slow leak will give you the comfort of, at least, getting to the finish line.

However, patching the surface of the tire is not going to work. You might just as well move the tire enough so that the puncture is away from where you think the hole on the tube is located. Doing this maneuver will do what you think patching the surface of the tire will do. You are just thinking of blocking the percieved air tunnel going from the tube to the tire. Nice theory, but, it is your experiment.

Brian Ratliff

This is a terrible assumption. The best way to be fast at fixing a flat is to practice. Have tire irons, a new innertube, and CO2. Practice, practice, practice until it only takes you a couple minutes.

Another solution is to use tubulars and carry a pre-glued, pre-stretched spare. Figure out how to glue it so it stays secure and can be removed rather quickly without tools (use old-school methods rather than newfangled needs-several-days-to-install-and-a-jackhammer-to-remove methods). If you aren't doing serious cornering (30+mph in a crit cornering), you'll be fine. I've seen a guy (old school guy) fix a flat in less than two minutes with a pump using a spare tubular. Just pull the old one off, put the new one on, and inflate. No checking for stuff, no chance of pinching the tube. Also, if you are within a couple miles of the finish, you can just ride the flat tubular at full speed without any issues (well, handling will be bad, but you won't be risking a crash caused by the clincher coming off the rim).

Excelsius

Couple of minutes to change the rear clincher tube? I have to see that one! I don't know much about tubulars, but I could tell that I had to keep my speed below 24 on straight roads and less than 10mph at the corners because the tire wanted to come out. The other possibility is to use something like the Gatorskins, but I know that these are not recommended for races/cornering.

So no one knows if my rear wheel might be trashed? I am so glad I didn't upgrade the wheel before the race.