Mastering replacing inner tubes

[T4tomo]

What Roubaix said.... sit on the sofa and practice, but don't buy a new wheel for it, just take one off your bike.

Advantage of using existing wheel is that the more time a tyre goes on and off, the easier it is. The worst time is always the first time when its new.

 

[PaulSB]

By multiple punctures I assume you mean on the one ride, or straight after fixing one.
Very rarely, as I check the tyre for debris carefully, so the two carried tubes are usually fine to do just do a swap.
I once had a hell of a lot of punctures on a ride Oxford to London with a pal so was reduced to doing multiple roadside repairs. He was very patient. That may have possibly been caused by a spoke/rim tape failure.
Very important when you get a puncture to check which side of the tube has punctured - rim or tyre side.

If I've ridden through anything dodgy looking I often stop to turn the bike over

Yes I did mean on one ride. I've experienced the same person having three on a ride. Whenever someone punctures on a group ride I inspect my tyres while the tube is being changed, there's always the chance I'll have hit the same rubbish.

Only multiple I've had was on the pothole incident above. I should have taken avoiding action as it was full of water which I took to be a puddle. Stupid! When I saw it dried out a few weeks later I was lucky to have stayed upright!!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Reading through this there seem to be a few tales of multiple punctures and concerns about having these. Does this really happen to folk?

If I get one a year I consider it a bad do. I once went seven years without a puncture. This year I've had four - a double puncture when I hit a very deep pothole at speed and two occasions when I hit glass which shredded the tyres. Highly unusual for me to suffer like this.

Yes it does happen. Relying on the fix being a spare tube and nothing else is a risk you take. If you are happy to walk or call a taxi on getting a second puncture that’s your call. Personally carrying a patch kit you can use is no biggie.

 

[matticus]

Do people have more than one on the same ride? Dunno, let's see:

I've experienced the same person having three on a ride.

 

[PaulSB]

Do people have more than one on the same ride? Dunno, let's see:

Oh yes I know it happens, just the way posts have been on this thread I had the impression it's more widespread than I would have expected. I've seen it once in perhaps 40 years.

 

[mjr]

Reading through this there seem to be a few tales of multiple punctures and concerns about having these. Does this really happen to folk?

I've had front and back go at the same time a couple of times, especially when cornering which I guess is because the back tyre isn't following any path "cleared" by the front.

My record on one ride was five, but that was a piece of wire that had got between rubber and canvas and returned there between punctures, undetectable until I noticed the bubbled canvas when examining the tyre very very closely after walking the last 2 or so miles home. It was the back tyre, of course.

If I've ridden through anything dodgy looking I often stop to turn the bike over

Don't turn the bike over: the magic will fall out! Always keep the rubber side down.

 

[vickster]

I had two on one ride, front and rear riding over a brick or lump of metal at speed that I couldn't avoid. Very irritating!

 

[bobsinatra]

I took bike out and managed to repair the damaged old inner tube.

My rear inner tube was the issue. And whilst it held up for a 20 mile cycle, when I press my thumb on the tyre, I can move it inwards.

My front wheel I can't do that as it is rock hard.

Wanted to check that the tyre looks ok and refit ok.

Video attached and picture attached.

View: https://youtu.be/Ms9mHkBXntY

 

[GoldenLamprey]

if this is helpful, it might seem like overkill but aside from (2) regular plastic levers I also carry these items that make it easier for me

(1) Speedier Lever

(1) Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack

(2) toe straps but any straps will do) - these keep part of the tire on the rim, down in the channel, while I work on the rest of the tire bead (especially helpful w/ tough winter tires) (I keep a set of all in my rack trunk & another set of all in my basement)

View attachment 560937

There are several threads complaining about the difficulty of fitting tyres to current Triban bike wheels, and then people voluntarily choose tyres that need this sort of effort! Amazing!

 

[rockyroller]

Wanted to check that the tyre looks ok and refit ok.

I can't see much in the photo. in the video the ring around the edge might be a little uneven. how does it look when you spin it quickly? sometimes after mounting a tire, if I doubt it's even all around, is I let some air out, massage it all around so it looks even then slowly inflate it & massage it if one area looks higher or lower. regarding how hard it feels, use a guage to measure. I like the front lower than the rear since the rear carries more weight. I'm sure we can start a whole new thread just for tire pressure & the offset from front to rear ... ;-)

 

[bobsinatra]

I can't see much in the photo. in the video the ring around the edge might be a little uneven. how does it look when you spin it quickly? sometimes after mounting a tire, if I doubt it's even all around, is I let some air out, massage it all around so it looks even then slowly inflate it & massage it if one area looks higher or lower. regarding how hard it feels, use a guage to measure. I like the front lower than the rear since the rear carries more weight. I'm sure we can start a whole new thread just for tire pressure & the offset from front to rear ... ;-)

Thanks for the tips.

I am seeing my bike mechanic tomorrow and will get a second opinion.

Least it stayed up, as I got a pinch flat with the last inner tube I did.

Slowly getting there