Flat tire repairs and pumps

[benyl]

First ride to work, first flat. Fuck.

Did a test ride on Friday, it was wet and muddy.

This morning was icy. So annoyed about the flat. haha

[benyl]

$60 for tire and tube.

cheaper to drive. lol

[msommers]

What the heck did you run over? And replace it with LOL

[benyl]

Originally posted by msommers
What the heck did you run over? And replace it with LOL

Dunno what I ran over. It slashed the tire to the point that water would be going in if I only replaced the tube.

Tube $6. OEM Trek Tire, $40. Installation, $8.

If I was at home, I would have done the install, but imagine trying to get to 90 psi with a handpump. The guy had a hell of a time changing it anyway. It was $8 well spent. haha

[Khyron]

Originally posted by benyl


Dunno what I ran over. It slashed the tire to the point that water would be going in if I only replaced the tube.

Tube $6. OEM Trek Tire, $40. Installation, $8.

If I was at home, I would have done the install, but imagine trying to get to 90 psi with a handpump. The guy had a hell of a time changing it anyway. It was $8 well spent. haha

No floor pump? I use mine before every ride or two and it goes 110-120 easy. Also recommend you carry a "boot" - or even a new 5-10-20$ bill will work. You put that over the slash/big hole then put spare tube in which stops it from bulging out. I'm so paranoid on the long rides I have 2-3 tubes and 3-4 co2 carts and a patch kit. And a chain breaker.

[benyl]

I have a floor pump at home. The flat I got was on the way to work.

No spare tube (have that now). I just had a patch kit. Waste of time. I don't even know why I bought one as they have never worked for me. Maybe I am not patient enough when patching.

After the flat, I took a car2go to the bike shop and had them deal with it.

If I need a chain breaker, I would simply give up and use my cell phone and call someone to pick me up. haha

[Khyron]

Originally posted by benyl
I have a floor pump at home. The flat I got was on the way to work.

No spare tube (have that now). I just had a patch kit. Waste of time. I don't even know why I bought one as they have never worked for me. Maybe I am not patient enough when patching.

After the flat, I took a car2go to the bike shop and had them deal with it.

If I need a chain breaker, I would simply give up and use my cell phone and call someone to pick me up. haha

I use spare tube first, but patch is handy if you double flat or get a 3rd on a long ride. Some have sticker patches that are way easier than the glue. Look into the CO2 inflators - so much easier and you won't break your valve off like some guys do with the little hand pumps. Inflates in 3-4 seconds too.

Chain breaker is if you get 1 kink that seizes you can punch out both pins and keep going vs ending the trip. Hasn't happened to me but it's one of those easy things to carry vs hauling around a spare fork.

Last mtn bike ride I was on that was ruined was because the girls hydraulic brakes BOTH lost pressure/leaked out. Sucked walking out, but that's something you can't really bring tools for.

[bigboom]

Originally posted by Khyron


I use spare tube first, but patch is handy if you double flat or get a 3rd on a long ride. Some have sticker patches that are way easier than the glue. Look into the CO2 inflators - so much easier and you won't break your valve off like some guys do with the little hand pumps. Inflates in 3-4 seconds too.

Chain breaker is if you get 1 kink that seizes you can punch out both pins and keep going vs ending the trip. Hasn't happened to me but it's one of those easy things to carry vs hauling around a spare fork.

Last mtn bike ride I was on that was ruined was because the girls hydraulic brakes BOTH lost pressure/leaked out. Sucked walking out, but that's something you can't really bring tools for.

Get a lezyne hand pump...don't waste time with any others. That hose lezyne uses gives a lot of flex so you don't rip your tube at the valve stem. They also do 90psi quite easily if you get the right version.

When patching make sure the glue has dried before applying the patch, do not apply the patches wet, most people think that the patches need to be applied when the glue is wet.

With the chain breaker make sure you are carrying spare pins/links. The ones that you punch out are not re-usable, all that will happen is that they will fall out of the chain is you reuse them.

[benyl]

Originally posted by bigboom

When patching make sure the glue has dried before applying the patch, do not apply the patches wet, most people think that the patches need to be applied when the glue is wet.


Well, shit. You learn something new everyday. I have, so can I go home now?

[benyl]

Originally posted by bigboom


Get a lezyne hand pump...don't waste time with any others. That hose lezyne uses gives a lot of flex so you don't rip your tube at the valve stem. They also do 90psi quite easily if you get the right version.


This one?

http://www.lezyne.com/product-hpumps-hp-microflrhp.php

[bigboom]

Originally posted by benyl


This one?

http://www.lezyne.com/product-hpumps-hp-microflrhp.php

That's a good portable pump but it is a little bigger/bulkier. The one's I carry are a variant of this type...

http://www.lezyne.com/product-hpumps-hp-rddrive.php#.U3PL1vldV-c

bolts up to your water bottle bosses and is light and efficient.

[Moonracer]

^^^^Now that you mention it I'm going to have to get me one of those too and get rid of my crappy mini pump which works ok for mountain bike tires but no so good for road tires.

[phreezee]

You guys don't like the CO2 inflators?
http://www.mec.ca/product/5014-512/planet-bike-red-zeppelin-co2-inflator/

That's what I carry.

[bigboom]

Originally posted by phreezee
You guys don't like the CO2 inflators?
http://www.mec.ca/product/5014-512/planet-bike-red-zeppelin-co2-inflator/

That's what I carry.

I use co2 for races because it's quicker. On commuting/rec/training rides I really don't feel like co2 and the waste of a canister is environmentally friendly :)

Granted, with co2 it takes me about 2 minutes to change a tube vs 7ish for manual pumping.

[bigboom]

Originally posted by benyl


Well, shit. You learn something new everyday. I have, so can I go home now?

Don't know if you care to know the reasoning but the "glue" you are using isn't really glue, it's a vulcanizing fluid. I'm sure some chemist/chemical engineer is going to argue the fact that real vulcanizing can only be done at high temps but the fluid you use isn't glue. It's a liquid that helps the patch actually bond with the rubber on the tube so it essentially becomes part of the tube and not just a patch that is glued on with a chemical adhesive in between, so in essence a form of vulcanizing.

A lot of old school tube patchers light the fluid on fire so that it dries quicker and then they throw the patch on that.

[lilmira]

Originally posted by phreezee
You guys don't like the CO2 inflators?
http://www.mec.ca/product/5014-512/planet-bike-red-zeppelin-co2-inflator/

That's what I carry.

I carry the same one. Haven't used it just yet, I'm counting my days.

[Moonracer]

Originally posted by phreezee
You guys don't like the CO2 inflators?
http://www.mec.ca/product/5014-512/planet-bike-red-zeppelin-co2-inflator/

That's what I carry.

I carry 1 spare tube, patch kit, mini pump.
I do have some co2s but like bigboom says it's kind of a waste if you are not racing.

[msommers]

I've been using this and it's worked perfectly in function and even had a gauge. It's a little bulky but not too bad. Might look into something sleaker though.

http://www.mec.ca/product/5016-153/filzer-mini-zee-pump-wpressure-gauge/?bc=

[HHURICANE1]

Originally posted by bigboom


That's a good portable pump but it is a little bigger/bulkier. The one's I carry are a variant of this type...

http://www.lezyne.com/product-hpumps-hp-rddrive.php#.U3PL1vldV-c

bolts up to your water bottle bosses and is light and efficient.

This is the one I use on my road bike. For a mountain bike you need a high volume pump. Different tools for different applications.

[bigboom]

Originally posted by HHURICANE1


This is the one I use on my road bike. For a mountain bike you need a high volume pump. Different tools for different applications.

This one here is a high volume pump and I have this one in my bag for mtn biking.

http://www.lezyne.com/product-hpumps-hp-pressdrive.php#.U3Tj6Cj9Ogc

and you don't "need" a high volume pump...you just need to work a little more to get to the same pressure :)

[HHURICANE1]

Work smarter , not harder is my motto. :D That's why I invested in one of these.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-c3-19.2-volt-cordless-inflator/p-00911586000P
Best tool EVER! I changed the head with one of these.
http://www.mec.ca/product/5014-150/filzer-floor-pump-clever-head/?h=10+50002+50039+50548&f=10+50002+50552
Releases the valve better and no more torn valve stems.

[Moonracer]

Originally posted by bigboom


This one here is a high volume pump and I have this one in my bag for mtn biking.

http://www.lezyne.com/product-hpumps-hp-pressdrive.php#.U3Tj6Cj9Ogc

and you don't "need" a high volume pump...you just need to work a little more to get to the same pressure :)

As you know I picked this one up and I tried it out and it's pretty trick. A techno-weinies dream. :thumbsup:

[benyl]

Originally posted by Moonracer


As you know I picked this one up and I tried it out and it's pretty trick. A techno-weinies dream. :thumbsup:

Bow cycle? Do they have the carbon one?

[Moonracer]

Originally posted by benyl


Bow cycle? Do they have the carbon one?

ya Bow cycle, I didn't notice if they have the carbon one :)

[Nitron88]

Originally posted by HHURICANE1
Work smarter , not harder is my motto. :D That's why I invested in one of these.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-c3-19.2-volt-cordless-inflator/p-00911586000P
Best tool EVER! I changed the head with one of these.
http://www.mec.ca/product/5014-150/filzer-floor-pump-clever-head/?h=10+50002+50039+50548&f=10+50002+50552
Releases the valve better and no more torn valve stems.


Was it a pretty easy process to replace the head? Any tools you needed to use to make the conversion?

[msommers]

Buying that kinda thing online is probably a lot cheaper. I'm curious in terms of size and weight how much of an advantage that Lezyne one is compared to my MEC one. Might wait for a sale if it's worth getting.

[msommers]

Was at how checking out the Lezyne pumps and noticed they're actually a lot smaller than what I have so I'm quite interested. But there seem to be a lot of models for road bikes and I can't tell the difference or pros and cons beside weight.

Also with no gauge, how do you tell what pressure you have? Some models max out at 90, 120, 160.

[bigboom]

Originally posted by msommers
Was at how checking out the Lezyne pumps and noticed they're actually a lot smaller than what I have so I'm quite interested. But there seem to be a lot of models for road bikes and I can't tell the difference or pros and cons beside weight.

Also with no gauge, how do you tell what pressure you have? Some models max out at 90, 120, 160.

Buy the one that suits your application...for example don't buy the 160 one if you ride clincher road tires that have a max psi of 120. Also these pumps arent meant to be your primary pump, more of a backup pump to get you home.

[gpomp]

I picked up a Lezyne Road Drive pump from Bow Cycle the other day. I was playing around with it and I can't much pressure, about 55 psi / 150 pumps, 65 psi / 200 pumps, and 70 psi / 250 pumps. By the time I get to 250, my arms are basically dead and I can barely move the pump at all. Not sure how I'm supposed to get to 100 psi, let alone the rated 160. Maybe I'm just really weak :dunno:

[benyl]

70psi should be enough to get you home even on a 23C tire. Just don't corner too fast. haha

[HHURICANE1]

Originally posted by Nitron88



Was it a pretty easy process to replace the head? Any tools you needed to use to make the conversion?

Super easy. 2 small hose clamps and a barbed hose splice. Cut the head off the hose that comes with the pump and splice the new one on. All of 5 minutes.

[gpomp]

Originally posted by benyl
70psi should be enough to get you home even on a 23C tire. Just don't corner too fast. haha I ended up returning that pump and got a 283mm Road Drive from the bike shop. Now I can get 80-90 psi easily. :thumbsup:

[msommers]

Sounds like something might have been wrong with the previous one. Where did you mount the bigger one?

[gpomp]

Originally posted by msommers
Sounds like something might have been wrong with the previous one. Where did you mount the bigger one? I tried another Medium at the store and couldn't get much pressure from it either, I must have weak arms or something. I put it on the seat tube, it's not as big as I expected.
http://i.imgur.com/2ozPBVj.jpg

[msommers]

Hm I might just have to go get one too!

[lint]

this looks interesting http://uncrate.com/stuff/patchnride/

[bigboom]

Originally posted by lint
this looks interesting http://uncrate.com/stuff/patchnride/

That looks like it has nothing but issues...it might work for big punctures where you pick up a nail but things like pinch flats that tool would be useless since the hole would be in the rim bed.

Also, a lot of flats are caused by little pieces of debris making it's way through the rubber or the rim strip shifting. The only way to find those are to take the tire off and visually inspect it/remove it/fix it. Not taking off the tire just means you are going to flat again in about 2 minutes worth of riding time.