Flat flat

[Octobiker]

HI, new member, might be clumsy.

I ride a heavy EMTB, panniers etc. A rear flat caused by a thorn (Schwalbe Marathon Plus!) recently left me struggling. 83, poor health, unable to support and lift my bike and unwilling to turn it over 'cos of the paraphernalia on the handlebars I was left needing to remove and replace the rear wheel wheel with my bike on it's side. I carry a 10mm wooden dowel to centre and steady the sprocket side into the frame and that helped but I was left attempting to insert the axle from underneath or vice versa. V concerned not to distort the disc. Managed eventually but limped home stressed and exhausted and wanting a better method next time (There's always another isn't there).

I'm an experienced rider and technically competent. After 38years with various bikes I bought a Raleigh Randonneur tourer in 1986, and gave it up about five years ago when I could no longer manage dropped bars. My EMTB was an 80th birthday present and has been genuinely life-changing but I'm nervous now of becoming stranded. Any suggestions please bearing in mind this is off-road?

 

[Ratchet Cat]

Hello. What about fitting inner tubes with sealant in? They might help plug the holes until you can get somewhere to fix it properly.
I’ve used some on my mountain bike, which is prone to punctures.
That was a big thorn if it got through a Marathon Plus!

 

[Big John]

Where's the motor? I've assumed it's in the back wheel but I might be wrong. If it is in the back wheel then I feel your pain. I've sorted punctures out on numerous ebike rear wheels as a volunteer at a bike charity where the motor's at the back. Hate doing them and have been known to magically disappear when one enters the shop. All I could suggest is fill the tube with goo so the bike will at least get you home. Having the motor in the middle is the way to go but would still be awkward to fix out on the trails I would imagine. Some of the bikes I've worked on I can't even lift into the stand. It takes two of us.

On a completely different tack though.....I'm the proud owner of a Raleigh Randonneur 8 speed and absolutely love it. I bet you had many happy years with yours. I've got a 10 speed ultegra equipped carbon super light bike in my shed that I used to race on and the Randonneur knocks spots off it for comfort.

Sorry I can't really help with your problem but I'm sure someone will have a solution on here. I wish you luck 👍

 

[Ajax Bay]

Having had this (sister's bike with a rear hub motor and reluctant to take wheel off) I achieved a repair (of tube):

• by leaving the wheel in situ,
• removing one bead and the tube (I left the valve in place but might have been able to remove),
• pumped and ID'd puncture location/hole,#
• checked tyre (also an M+!) and removed sharpie,
• (proper) patched, paused,
• reinserted tube,
• refitted tyre (with M+ difficulty), inflated and
• she rode on.

n=1 suggestion - see if you can 'do this at home' - bike can stay upright (assume on stand) or leant.
I thought this would work as I had replaced a spoke in that wheel by the same method (not removing wheel).

 

[a.twiddler]

Is there some way of fitting a two legged stand, as seems common on the continent? At least then the bike could stand up while you worked on the rear wheel, and might even make it easier to fix a puncture without taking the wheel off. It's a motorcycle type solution for something heavier than a conventional unladen bike.

 

[presta]

I used to repair all my punctures without removing the wheel, but had to stop when my failing eyesight and hearing meant that I couldn't find them any more without removing the tube.