The basic stuff
07-09-20, 07:34 PM
#26
Senior Member
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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I ride in some pretty remote areas where towns are few and far between let alone having any kind of a bicycle shop in them. I'm of the age where in my teens there were no such things as cell phones. When I tour I want to be able to fix most anything that can go wrong on my bike. In the 1980s one rainy night I punctured with a slow leak. I could not find that hole even after immersing the tube in some standing rain water. That incident taught me to carry a spare tube on every ride. Get a flat? Pull out the old tube, check the tire for the debris that punctured it, put in new tube, pump it up and ride. Repair the tube at home or at a campsite if touring. Sure beats trying to patch a tube in the rain.
Cheers
Cheers
07-09-20, 08:00 PM
#27
Full Member
Had trouble on my commuter bike twice and I've owned it since March 2020. Broke my chain when I was a mile from my car and the most recent trouble was about a month ago when I blew out my front tire while crossing a gravel road. Could not remove the tire to change out tube and my car was about 20-plus miles away. A couple stopped to help and it took the gentleman 10 minutes to change out my tube. Found out he was the owner of a LBS from the nearby county while chatting. I was so fortunate and thankful that day for his assistance. So far I have not visited his shop but plan on doing so in the future when I need work done on my bikes.
07-09-20, 10:26 PM
#28
Happy banana slug
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Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
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I called for a pick up once, 3 miles from home, when a stick got intimate with my rear derailer and spokes; I didn't know a derailer could bend that way.
I can (and have) fix a flat and lube my entire drive train. I once fixed a flat (rear tire, natch) on my new bike next to a busy highway. It was my first time doing it with hydro disc brakes, and I did everything wrong, but somehow it worked out anyway.
I can (and have) fix a flat and lube my entire drive train. I once fixed a flat (rear tire, natch) on my new bike next to a busy highway. It was my first time doing it with hydro disc brakes, and I did everything wrong, but somehow it worked out anyway.
07-14-20, 04:58 AM
#29
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I keep and know how to use a set of tools on my bike. They're intended to get me back home, not do full maintenance or extensive repair. And I've been able to get a few other folks home as well while out riding around town. 
07-14-20, 07:42 AM
#30
Senior Member
I have the knowledge on how to change a flat and also the tube. What I lack is faith in my skills. I have changed flats and then brought them to a bike store to have them double check. I do not carry tools to fix anything at this time as I lost my rack bag on a road while my bike was on the back of my car while I was driving home from a short 2 day tour last summer. I have yet to replace the bag(can't find the same one). And I do not have mechanical aptitude which I think is very necessary in fixing all things bike related.
Though on the other end of this I did once get a flat 1 mile from work while the temp was a chilly 21 f degrees at 5:30 am. I would not even think about changing it at that temp in the darkness on the side of the road. I walked the bike to work. I try and not bother other
people with situations I put myself in.
Though on the other end of this I did once get a flat 1 mile from work while the temp was a chilly 21 f degrees at 5:30 am. I would not even think about changing it at that temp in the darkness on the side of the road. I walked the bike to work. I try and not bother other
people with situations I put myself in.
07-20-20, 11:39 AM
#31
Senior Member
The only tool I carry on my rides is a bus pass. When I was a kid I received an old bike which I completely took apart and put back together. I have fixed a flat a few years ago but I can't recall how I picked it up as I have never been stranded. Must have been a slow puncture where it went flat at home. But I do use protected tires and take care not to hit edges head on that might cause a blowout. I did replace tires a few years ago.
07-20-20, 11:41 AM
#32
Senior Member
It's different in a survival issue
I ride in some pretty remote areas where towns are few and far between let alone having any kind of a bicycle shop in them. I'm of the age where in my teens there were no such things as cell phones. When I tour I want to be able to fix most anything that can go wrong on my bike. In the 1980s one rainy night I punctured with a slow leak. I could not find that hole even after immersing the tube in some standing rain water. That incident taught me to carry a spare tube on every ride. Get a flat? Pull out the old tube, check the tire for the debris that punctured it, put in new tube, pump it up and ride. Repair the tube at home or at a campsite if touring. Sure beats trying to patch a tube in the rain.
Cheers
Cheers
