Fix-a-flat

[Trevize1138]

Here are some basic tips for fixing a flat and replacing innertubes.

Use proper tire irons
Do not use a screwdriver to remove the bead of the tire from the rim. You will most likely damage the innertube beyond whatever hole might already be in it.

Now that we've got that out of the way, to replace an innertube with tire irons, first make sure as much air is out of the tube as possible. I like to hold the wheel between my knees, push the bottom of the tire flat on the ground and push on the top of the tire to really get air out of there.

Next, work the bead of the tire (the part of the tire that fits inside the rim) into the middle of the rim all the way around. The middle of the rim has a smaller diameter than the sides, so once the bead is pushed in there you should be able to get a tire iron between the rim and bead. Now, pry this part of the bead out past the rim and put a second tire iron in there to hold it in place. Run one of the tire irons down the rim to pull more of the tire out.

Eventually, the bead will be free enough of the rim that it will just sort of flop around and then you can just pull the tube out from it. Now, either repair the tube with a patch kit or replace it with a spare tube. It's always better to just replace the tube rather than patch a bad one, however. Tubes are pretty cheap, too.

To install a new tube, first pump it up with a little air to give it a nice, round shape. Don't overdo the air at all, just enough to make it a hoop. Fit the air valve into the hole in the rim and push the rest of the tube into the tire. Position as much of the bead back into the rim as possible without the tire iron. Usually, if you've got the rest of the bead nicely centered all the way around the rim you should be able to push the last bit in with your bare hands.

Pump up the tire, slap it on your bike and ride!

[bike>>rider]

Before putting the new or patched tube back inside the rim, inspect the outside of the tire for whatever may have caused the flat (thorn, glass, nail, sharp rock, etc.). You may not find anything.

Then, run your hand along the inside of the tire and wheel for the same purpose.

One thing that I try to remember to do is to align the valve stem of the tube (and obviously the valve hole in the rim) with a label on the tire itself. That way, when I get the flat innertube out of the tire I can find the leak in the tube and crossreference its location with respect to the valve stem to the label on the tire and concentrate my search for the puncture cause in that area of the tire.

Most times I forget cause I'm so pissed that I flatted. Ha!

Goes without saying but remember to carry a hand pump or CO2 inflator as well or all the patches in the world will be worthless on the trail.

[transplant]

Use a rag or long finger gloves when checking the inside. Better to rip those up a bit instead of a finger tip.

[Kingbozo]

No mountain biker in Minnesota should be without CO2. Trust me, pumping up a tire while being exsanguinated by our state insect is no fun.

[mara]

You forgot the most important part of fixing a flat: never, ever go on a ride without a pump, spare tube, and tire lever. The one day you leave the house without supplies is the very day you'll flat.

[Paul Swenson]

Use a rag or long finger gloves when checking the inside. Better to rip those up a bit instead of a finger tip.

Good advice! I cut the heck out of my finger last year on a piece of glass that was lodged in my tire.:hit:

[soupboy]

How does a pump work?

[Trevize1138]

How does a pump work?

The pump I use is a 9mm Beretta. Try this at home soon as you can, Sean: load a fresh magazine in the 9mm, insert barrel into mouth, pull trigger. Works every time! ;)

[flombe]

.....insert barrel into mouth, pull trigger. Works every time! ;)

Yeah, but you only use it once!

[Trevize1138]

Yeah, but you only use it once!

That's why it's a perfect fix!

[jjrsds]

You forgot the most important part of fixing a flat: never, ever go on a ride without a pump, spare tube, and tire lever. The one day you leave the house without supplies is the very day you'll flat.

She left out the part where she stands around and lets the 4 or 5 GUYS change it for her. :D

[soupboy]

I prefer .50cal. Nothing like the smell of gunpowder in the morning.

The pump I use is a 9mm Beretta. Try this at home soon as you can, Sean: load a fresh magazine in the 9mm, insert barrel into mouth, pull trigger. Works every time! ;)

[Pink Pony]

Stans notubes!

[soupboy]

Notubes are retarded. Period. That's right, I said it. Get some.

[mara]

She left out the part where she stands around and lets the 4 or 5 GUYS change it for her. :D

Yeah, that works really well, except for the "if you want something done right, do it yourself" part.

My impromptu pit crew at the Penn race last Thursday did indeed change my flat tire quickly, just not in a way that made it not flat. *sigh* I sat out the race, sucessfully changed my tire, and put my commuting gear back on. I may wrench at turtle speed, but I get it right the first time :p

The flat tire I got Friday night stayed fixed, and I hit a mara record time of under fifteen minutes. Yay, me!

[Paul Swenson]

Notubes are retarded. Period. That's right, I said it. Get some.

So are you running Yes Tubes?

http://www.yestubes.com/

[crux]

You forgot to include the 45 miniute group night ride flat fix from last fall. Thankfully it was a straight forward fix with the proven yestubes system otherwise we may still be sitting there waiting. BTW who has the video of that mechanical.

[manual63]

Did anyone mention that those riders with tubeless tires should always have a tube with them. That way, when you can't get the bead to seat, you just throw a tube in and be on your way. Oh yeah, if you are offered a tube by someone else after 15 minutes of trying to seat your bead, please take the tube offer so everyone in the group can ride again....:)

[soupboy]

Claro que si.

So are you running Yes Tubes?

http://www.yestubes.com/

[TullyMN]

I don't know if it is appropriate to post here or not...

REI is having a free Bike Maintenance 101 Class at the Bloomington store on Monday 7/10, in which they teach you how to change a flat. Bike Maintenance 102 is on 7/17, in which they cover a few more items. Below is the link if you want to check out the details

http://www.rei.com/stores/store_events.jsp?store=15

[Kingbozo]

So are you running Yes Tubes?

http://www.yestubes.com/

That rules!

[TullyMN]

Not certain if anyone made the class last night - it was semi-entertaining and I at least learned how to change a flat. You can attend the 102 course next Monday even if you didn't attend this course...

[berrywise]

Wha wha wha? How did I miss this thread? Chris, I though you didn't use tire levers.