Puncture!!

[Berties]

we all get punctures and get better at dealing with flats as we go along,road side i whip the wheel off remove the tyre,check for any foreign bodies through tyre use a new tube refit tube and tyre,i use a co2 gas pump,for speed,tyres get easier to get on and off after a few times of being removed especially wired tyres,always check tyres for debris before a ride and ensure levels are correct, good tyres do help,stock tyres seem to pick up punctures as are sometimes a cheap addition to bikes ,i use gatorskins and hardshells ,these are personal choice and still puncture!!!so I always carry two gas bottles one new tube one mended tube and tyre levers and disposable gloves ,if you struggle with punctures practice in the comfort of your home

 

[themosquitoking]

SLIME INNER TUBES. They don't get punctures.

 

[Gravity Aided]

They get punctures, but they seal themselves. Back in the day of tubular tires, used to put spoiled milk in, did the same trick. Even worked now and then.

 

[Peteaud]

Spare tube, tyre lever, multi tool and gas canister. All fit neatly in my small seat bag.

Same here.

I take the tube out of its box and wrap it in 2 disposable workshop gloves. That way you keep your hands clean as well.

 

[Koga]

Same here.

I take the tube out of its box and wrap it in 2 disposable workshop gloves. That way you keep your hands clean as well.

The gloves are a good idea.

 

[XRHYSX]

Make sure your spare is serviceable,
I had a p*ncture the other day when I came to pump the tyre up for some reason the valve wasn't screwed all the way in,
lucky I also carry a repair kit so had to fix the old one, was just happy it wasn't raining and the little one was being good

Also check the tyre for the culprit of the p*ncture, you don't want to replace the tyre just to have another one

 

[beeblemaster]

I carry a spare tube, spare tyre and repair kit. Had my first roadside p*ncture a couple of weeks ago, changed the tube and repaired the original at the cafe stop. Swapped it over again when I got home, just so I know I'm carrying a pristine spare.

Get some practice in changing, unfortunately it's an inevitable inconvenience.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Probably shouldn't say this knowing my luck, but I got a pair of gatorskins at the end of July, 2,500 miles later I have had one patch fail ( cant always afford new tubes) and one from hitting a stone pretty hard, and it punctured the tube rim side. So far nothing has punctured the tyre, this includes roads around the estate (glass and other debris), country roads with farm traffic and edge trimmings. I really cant rate this tyre high enough.

 

[SquareDaff]

Carry two spare tubes and just swap out. I do carry a set of repair patches (at 99p then why not) but they're for total disasters when I get a puncture and then ruin the 2 spare tubes I carry!! It costs £2.99 max for a new tube so why bother repairing it?!?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Carry two spare tubes and just swap out. I do carry a set of repair patches (at 99p then why not) but they're for total disasters when I get a puncture and then ruin the 2 spare tubes I carry!! It costs £2.99 max for a new tube so why bother repairing it?!?

Because £2.99 is 15% of my disposable weekly money. I can repair a tube more than three times for much less.not to mention the environment, talk about a disposable society. .

 

[SquareDaff]

Because £2.99 is 15% of my disposable weekly money. I can repair a tube more than three times for much less.not to mention the environment, talk about a disposable society. .

But you can afford to buy a pair of Gatorskins?!?!? Don't get me wrong here - investing in some good tyres is the way to go as it keeps punctures to a minimum. Like you (touch wood) I've not had any for a long time - but when I do get one I'd rather have a brand new tube in as a replacement than risk my repair failing. £2 is nothing when compared to peace of mind!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

But you can afford to buy a pair of Gatorskins?!?!? Don't get me wrong here - investing in some good tyres is the way to go as it keeps punctures to a minimum. Like you (touch wood) I've not had any for a long time - but when I do get one I'd rather have a brand new tube in as a replacement than risk my repair failing. £2 is nothing when compared to peace of mind!

So a patch fails, fit another, conti Ultra Sport about £14 (with web offers ect) booked one on line with Halfords, got there they had just fitted it to a bike, so I ended up with 2 Gatorskins for the same price as the Ultra Sport would have cost, besides I am still paying the OH for them and the shoes I got at the same time, on top I have had to get some new winter clothing, and just upgraded from a 7sp to 8 sp shifter, due a new chain the list goes on, things dont last long at 200+ miles a week.
It only takes me about 10 mins to change a tube and be on my way, dont get me wrong I do get new tubes, but its not a priority to me, one failed patch in 2,500 miles I think thats going ok.
Almost every penny of £20 goes on the bike in one way or another, bike shed is the next major purchase, again I will be paying the O.H. along time for this.

 

[CafGriff]

Ha !!
All of the above.
Or take the tent kit for the next journey, make your way too the nearest Pub garden ... order some 'Amber Necture' ... after pitching the tent in the garden or see if they do B&B, and worry about it in the morning.

 

[sreten]

I changed to Schwalbe Landcruisers when I had regular puntures. Result,
no punctures for years and hardly any wear. Unfortunately only in 26.
My advise : prevention is key.

Hi,

Land Cruisers are available in 622mm (x 37mm). Kevlarguard puncture protection,
50 EPI carcass and reflective safety stripes. Better off road tyre than on IMO.
I like budget Scwalble tyres a lot. IMO great quality for very modest prices.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-land-cruiser-road-bike-tyre/rp-prod24624
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schwalbe...tyre-with-reflex-700-x-35-(37-622)-prod29288/

The Road Cruisers IMO are better for on road with some milder offroad stuff.

rgds, sreten.

No punctures so far for my puncture protected tyres. Still I always carry
a spare tube and the stuff needed to change it, levers,spanners etc.

I've changed a tube due to a stuck valve, that wouldn't pump up,
and just went down when you tried to pump it, forcing the change.
Took about 10 to 15 minutes, going slow and doing it right.

 

[Roadhump]

Used to just carry patches, but after reading several threads on this forum have started carrying a spare tube as well when out on my hybrid, but due to going much shorter distances usually chanced it and went with no patches or tube when on my MTB, but got caught out and had to walk home several miles a few weeks ago, so now go prepared on either bike.

A couple of days ago, I had a front wheel puncture and decided to patch it, got back mobile, called into a local bike shop where they let me use a floor pump to get more air in and carried on. A few miles further on had a worse puncture due to a shard of glass and this time used the tube - 2 punctures in one 30 mile ride aaaarrgghhh!!! and I have armadillo tyres which are reinforced with kevlar. I'm going to fix the old tube and carry it as spare, along with a brand new one from now on.