Two flat tires
We had some family friends call today and suggest that we go out to the pumpkin patch with the kids. It was about 1130 and I knew that was going to put my workout in jeapardy. So I get the idea of riding my bike out to the pumpkin farm after all it is only 32 miles away.
So the last thing to do before I head out is put some air in the tires. Well hooking up my pump I end up pushing the stem in and getting a flat. I change it and get on the road. Something did not seem right things seemed to be a little bumpy as I rode. 17 miles in and it sounded like a baloon popped under me. I pulled over and called my wife and told her where to look for me because I had already used my spare tube.
So long story short my ride was only 17 miles instead of 32. I felt defeated because I really wanted to be sitting at the orchard waiting when everyone else drove up. Instead they became my sag wagon.
My guess is that I overinflated my tire in a rush to get out of the garage after the first flat. My question to any experienced cyclists out there is what am I doing wrong this is the second time that I have got a flat hooking my pump up to inflate the tire?
So the last thing to do before I head out is put some air in the tires. Well hooking up my pump I end up pushing the stem in and getting a flat. I change it and get on the road. Something did not seem right things seemed to be a little bumpy as I rode. 17 miles in and it sounded like a baloon popped under me. I pulled over and called my wife and told her where to look for me because I had already used my spare tube.
So long story short my ride was only 17 miles instead of 32. I felt defeated because I really wanted to be sitting at the orchard waiting when everyone else drove up. Instead they became my sag wagon.
My guess is that I overinflated my tire in a rush to get out of the garage after the first flat. My question to any experienced cyclists out there is what am I doing wrong this is the second time that I have got a flat hooking my pump up to inflate the tire?
On a bump road if you're on a road racer and not a mtn. bike it can happen a lot. Minus the bumps it shouldn't happen that often. I wouldn't think a little overinflation would be a problem. Gravel will eat up tires in no time and cause flats, too. Sometimes, though the repeats are just coincidence.
...unless whoever put your tubes in last got dirt inside the tire...
Best thing is to take a couple of tubes with you, those mini tire tools and also a CO2 cartridge inflator. That'll get you changed before you even have time to cool down.
...unless whoever put your tubes in last got dirt inside the tire...
Best thing is to take a couple of tubes with you, those mini tire tools and also a CO2 cartridge inflator. That'll get you changed before you even have time to cool down.
Probably pinched the tube (tube was not entirely inside the tire) when you replaced it. Also, make sure you're very careful handling the tube valve while you're airing up as it's very easy to pull the valve stem from the tube while inflating.
Unless you are using a compressor to pump up the tire, it's unlikely you put in too much air. You need to get a good bike floor pump for fill your tires before you take off. I dislike CO2 for the road since they are 1) one shot then done and 2) expensive. I prefer a nice small bike frame pump which straps to the seat tube. For the road, I always carry 1 extra tube and a patch kit.
Flats are part of the biking gig whether it be mountain or road biking so practice changing out tubes while you're at home so when you get one on the road, you can quickly change it. Since you're a relative newbie bike rider, carry a couple of extra tubes with you for now.
If you're using a mountain bike, you're more likely to pick up crap (thorns, glass etc.) so consider getting slime tubes which will seal small tube punctures with slime.
Hope this helps. Great job on the biking!!
Boner
Unless you are using a compressor to pump up the tire, it's unlikely you put in too much air. You need to get a good bike floor pump for fill your tires before you take off. I dislike CO2 for the road since they are 1) one shot then done and 2) expensive. I prefer a nice small bike frame pump which straps to the seat tube. For the road, I always carry 1 extra tube and a patch kit.
Flats are part of the biking gig whether it be mountain or road biking so practice changing out tubes while you're at home so when you get one on the road, you can quickly change it. Since you're a relative newbie bike rider, carry a couple of extra tubes with you for now.
If you're using a mountain bike, you're more likely to pick up crap (thorns, glass etc.) so consider getting slime tubes which will seal small tube punctures with slime.
Hope this helps. Great job on the biking!!
Boner
Boner can probably answer this question better than me but here goes. It has been years since I rode a bike but when I did the road tires I used were high pressure, around 60 to 70 lbs. I assume you are using an acurrate air gauge, if not buy one. Second make sure you know what the proper pressure is. When I would fill a tire i would first fill it in slow steps, put 20 to 30 pounds in it and then let it out. This will let the tube straighten itself out and take out any kinks. Then using the pressure regulator on you air compressor take the pressure up in steps. Set the regulator at say 20 lbs then fill the tire, change the regulator to 30 lbs then fill the tire and so on. That is my only advise on filling tires. Be sure to check you tires for soft spots on the side walls.
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