Fear of Flat!!
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
Just make sure you are prepared for a flat: carry a spare tube, a small frame pump or a CO2 pump and cartridge (basically a single-use type deal), 2 tire levers (to help with changing it). You can easily fit all of that in a small bag that attaches behind/under the seat.
To learn how to change a flat, talk to your local bike shop, as the people there are often happy to help you. Or find a place that does classes on it: for example, REI does a free class (a hour or so) that teaches changing a flat and lubing a chain (some basic bike maintenance).
Some optional things to carry are a patch kit, a few dollar bills (can be used to reinforce the tire if the side of it gets really messed up with the flat), or even a cell phone to call a friend if too many flats happen and you need a lift home ;)
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driggins posted 1 year ago.
kyillee is right. but if you want added security don't inflate your tires as high, slightly less, which will make your tires less prone to flats. also, buy a set of high quality puncture resistance tires such as the michelin pro2's. you can race and train with them.
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1214 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
Practice practice - and not just the front tire. Little more work getting the rear wheel going again.
The other posts cover everything else.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
driggins;65463 wrote:
kyillee is right. but if you want added security don't inflate your tires as high, slightly less, which will make your tires less prone to flats. also, buy a set of high quality puncture resistance tires such as the michelin pro2's. you can race and train with them.
I would say, instead of "don't inflate your tires so high", "inflate your tires to within the PSI recommended". If you go too low, you can get pinch flats. Too high and they can blow out.
In addition to getting puncture resistant tires you can get strips (tuffies) that go between the tire and tube and decrease the risk of thorn/glass punctures by adding a think, hard layer before the tube itself is reached.
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wesmeyer11 posted 1 year ago.
sit in front of the TV tonight with the rim and practice changing it. Once you learn it is a no brainer. To do this sport right, or at least cycling, you HAVE to know how to change a flat.
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1132 days
Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
I left my spare stuf home one day. Got a flat. Borrowed someone elses. The tube blew up while inflating. Havent forgotten my tires and such since.
In my under the saddle bag I have:
2 Tire levers
2 Spare tubes
1 Patch kit
1 Small Multi tool with hex wrenches
1 Mini Pump
Extra gels for emergencies.
A few dollars cash for the same.
Over kill according to some- but when you get a flat and so does your friend who forgot their stuff...
Flats happen. Just be prepared.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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TBRAVO posted 1 year ago.
Sheldon Brown has a pretty good article about fixing flats:
http://sheldonbrown.com/flats.html
Triguy has a good list of things to carry in your saddle bag.
I would add...
small amount of duct tape (really handy for many things, makes a great tire boot if you get a sidewall rip).
Fully charged Starbucks card (can't go anywhere without that). :D
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1132 days
Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
TBRAVO;65498 wrote:
small amount of duct tape (really handy for many things, makes a great tire boot if you get a sidewall rip).
Thats in the Camelback for MTBing ;) I dont anticipate too many sidewall tears on the road.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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JamieM posted 1 year ago.
I'd add a cell phone to Triguy's list. And as for the duct tape, I usually find the dollar bills are easier to boot a tire with.
AGHH :|
I have only done 2 triathlons and I have been swimming and running for a few years now but cycling is new to me. I went on a 30 mile bike ride with my friend and i ended up with a flat and had to walk an hour home in the rain!! :( Now im afraid of doing long bike rides because i might get a flat tire. How can i be prepared for this or how do I prevent this? Anyone who has experience cycling have any tips for a real beginner like me?!
Thanks
Fel :)