Riding with a flat

[BrynCP]

If you were to ride 10 miles with a flat, would it be likely goodbye tyre and wheel? Would you even get 10 miles without the wheel mis-shaping or something?

I had a puncture 11 miles out the other day with no means to fix, so I walked. It wasn't pleasant as for 4 miles there was no pavement: I was walking on the verge which slowed me down a lot trying to push the bike.

Now I have tubes, repair kit and a hand pump, but I am still paranoid about the fact I could still have a failure in say the pump or a bad tube etc. (Let's not even think about broken chain, frame failure, wheel buckling etc!)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Riding with a flat is dangerous and will damage your rim, let alone chew your tyre to pieces.
Carrying 2 tubes is a good idea!
If you're going to ride far from home a repair kit and knowing how to use one is a good idea. Ditto a chain tool.
It depends on your philosophy, I tend to self-sufficiency, others travel lighter and accept ride-failiure once in a while.

Frame failure or borked rim is usually a ride finisher. Always carry some emergency cash for a Taxi/Train if needed to get home.

 

[biggs682]

many years ago i went on holiday to the Isle of Mull and did a daily bike ride on the one day i had 3 punctures , when i started to re inflate the tyre i heard a strange noise as my pump had split into 2 parts !!

so still had to walk back to Tobermorey and source a new pump and some more spare innertubes , you cant carry all the spare so just carry enough so you feel confident .

 

[marcusjb]

Well at least it taught you the lesson of carrying spares!

Riding a regular (clincher) tyre when flat will certainly trash the tyre - depending on your weight, it will also potentially trash the rim.

Stuffing tyres with grass, paper, clothes etc. might help, but real emergency stuff only.

Broken chain - carry a quick link.
Wheel out of true - carry a spoke key (most multi tools will have one)
Frame snapped - well, almost anything can be fixed with cable ties and gaffer tape as a get you home. But do not stress about it - most of us will never snap a frame in our lives.

Knowing how to maintain your bike teaches you how you might be able to bodge things if things went wrong. Virtually nothing makes a bike un rideable - even if you have to use it hobby horse style to scoot along on the flat bits etc.

 

[marcusjb]

Oh and check your spare tubes and pump out regularly - just to be certain they will help you out when the big moment arrives.

 

[BrynCP]

Well at least it taught you the lesson of carrying spares!

Up to that point I had been circling my home, so even though I had been doing some 22 mile rides, none of them were more than 1-1.5hours walk. It was to be my last ride without such things, as I knew I was getting some of the essentials for Christmas. I am not sure what possessed me to do the new route!

Knowing how to maintain your bike teaches you how you might be able to bodge things if things went wrong. Virtually nothing makes a bike un rideable - even if you have to use it hobby horse style to scoot along on the flat bits etc.

Yep, I still have a lot to learn.

 

[vickster]

I carry a phone and money for a taxi

 

[BrynCP]

I carry a phone and money for a taxi

Ever had to call a taxi? Are they very accommodating to cycles, especially if they look a bit muddy!

 

[vickster]

No, but I am sure if you explain the situation. It would help being a damsel in distress

It is probably just easier and cheaper to carry a tube and pump ...

My bikes don't get too muddy as I try not to ride in inclement conditions

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I have done a few miles, but I tend to put all my weight over the front wheel and just pedal in little bursts and free wheel, its marginally faster than walking but on down hill sections is not too bad

 

[I like Skol]

Always be PREPARED!

 

[ShipHill]

Ever had to call a taxi? Are they very accommodating to cycles, especially if they look a bit muddy!

I carried all sorts of stuff for folks when I drove a minicab. Vauxhall Vectra hatchback it was. Furniture, gardening equipment... all sorts... but be a sport and tell the cab company and (well I'd like to think so) they'll send out a car with a hatchback or an estate not a regular saloon.

I got to one call and the guy had a step ladder. I just about squeezed it in. When I said "I wish you'd have mentioned the ladder Rob", he replied "It fitted didn't it". Yes... quite... ho hum.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've cycled short distances on a flat in the past, I think 5 miles was the most I did, normally I'm well prepared but I've been caught out a couple of times, I've pedalled very slowly and tried to keep as much weight as possible over the tyre thats still up, flat rear stood on the pedals as much weight on the front of the bike as I could, flat front stayed seated and tried to keep the weight as far back as I can, so far I've not damaged tyre or wheel.
The only time I've scrapped a tyre was driving a car on a flat, I was out in the sticks and drove a couple of miles to a main road to make us easier to find, it was our second flat on that trip and I had to get the breakdown people out.

 

[Broadside]

Ever had to call a taxi? Are they very accommodating to cycles, especially if they look a bit muddy!

I've only ever had to call a taxi once, last week as it happens on a pre-work early morning ride. I carry spares to get me through 2 punctures but on this occasion I picked up a third so it was game over. The taxi firm were great, told them I was on a country lane with a flat tyre and my bike went in the boot of a Prius, he put the rear seats down so I just needed to take the front wheel off. The controller and the driver were interested in the slightly unusual job more than anything.

All done and dusted and I wasn't even late for work :-)

 

[Globalti]

I maintain the bike rigorously and I don't think I've ever been stopped my a mechanical failure. I always carry a spare tube and do need to use that from time to time - 2 days ago actually when my son punctured on the Preston Guild Wheel ride. If I was ever unable to ride I would simply or shoulder the bike and stick my thumb out - years of hitch-hiking have taught me that drivers are happy to stop if they can see that you've a good reason to be hitching, which is why when I used to hitch to Scotland I always used to drape the climbing rope prominently over the top of the rucsac.