I am just about to start triathlon training, I am doing FLM and don't think I can maintain motivation through running alone for the rest of the year and so the change.
It's a long time since I rode a bike alot and the tyres on my new bike look very thin and fragile (especially at 80-100psi) What do I do if 30 miles from home a tyre goes flat? Is it a case of carrying a spare and trying to change it on the side of the road with mini tyre levers etc ?
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I have spare tubes and a bike tool and will be carrying the kit in case of puncture.
Guess the best plan is to practice changing the tube a couple of times in the comfort of your garage so when it happens for real you know what your doing.
Pump or Aerosol?
Not sure whats best to take on my rises, do you experienced peeps use a pump or one of those aerosol bike inflator gadget thingies?
its also worth having a set of tyres for training on, as race tyres are generally to light and fragile for everyday riding.
Save your Aerosol for race day and take a pump on your training rides as these can fail. It may be worth taking an Aerosol on one training ride so you can get used to using it (thats providing you puncture)
There is a tyre called a Specialized Armadillo, this is a training tyre that can virtually guarantee no puntures!! Honest!!!
Obviously keep an eye out for what you are riding over. I once blew both tyres by hitting a pothole coming off a roundabout in full tuck position on the tribars. DOh !
Hedge cuttings can be nasty though - watch out if that's happened.
I always take a spare tube - usually a brand new one - I don't trust repaired ones that much. And you can get some high pressure Leech patches that just stick to punctured inner tubes rather than doing the glue stuff. That's OK in the extreme chance you get 2 punctures in a ride !
Take tyre levers with you - you don't need them all the time depending on the fit of the tyre, but sometimes they are vital. Just watch when you put the tyre back on that you don't pinch the new inner tube.
Take a pump with you. I think the large frame pumps are the best. I'm struggling to find a half decent mini pump. Don't bother with aerosols.
Use a track pump at home to ensure your tyres are at the right pressure before you go out.
Check your tyres from time to time. If you get holes I sometimes put a spot of superglue to stop things getting into the tyre.
Tyres are very sturdy, and despite what Daz thinks ;-) you can hit a cattle grid at 50mph with no blowouts !
If you go to Halfords you can buy inner tubes or a product I think its called "Goo".
Basically it self seals if you get a puncture. I've used the inner tubes myself and have not had a puncture yet.
Forgot - if you use Quick Release Wheels - make sure you know how to take them off and put them back on securely.
If you haven't got QR's - take a spanner with you !
Slime??? Mmmmmm!!!!!!
They are a bit slower though not enough to make you think you've bruised legs like some ive ridden.
So I thought, what the hell I'll just ride back on the flat. Well I didn't realise know that I would knacker the wheel. I'm waiting on the verdict about how much it's going to cost me. But I'm not a happy chappy. So I'll always carry a spare tube and pump from now on.
PPB.
It's gonna cost you about £50 ish for a 9spd wheel (back wheel)
PPB - don't feel bad - one of my clubmates who should know better - did the same. On his carbon disk wheel !!!!!
Still I'm not a serious cyclist thankfully and never go more than a couple of miles at once on any bike
they don't take up that much room....
Not done it yet though.
Would have loved a lift, instead i found a german with a chain tool. He actually knew a lot of english though they were all swear words.
Saved me walking the last 15miles.
Funny enough i seem to carry a chain tool where ever i go now!!!!!
My top tip is to learn how to use it - ended up taking a couple of attempts to get the thing back together so his chain ended up a bit short - at least his gears worked much better with a shorter chain!
But don't think just cause you are carrying a spare tube you won't have to walk home.... I once went for a leisurely afternoon cycle on my MTB -
1st puncture - changed the tube in the back,
2nd puncture - mended hole in back,
3rd puncture - mended hole in front, broke pump and begged help from passing motorist who luckily had a pump,
4th puncture - walked to nearby National trust property, begged my way in as had no money, sat on floor in toilets mending 'spare' tube to much tutting from old ladies. Returned to bike to discover both tires flat.
Decided to give up and phone everyone I knew for a lift home - nobody in! Walked 3 miles to nearest station - no trains on a Sunday!
Eventually walked about 8 miles home, very fed up.
Since then I often carry two spare tubes!
Gutted!!!!
I think i may have cried and refused to ride again!!!!!
Its a git when you are 5 miles from home and you cant even push your MTB as the Typres off the rim.
Took to taking money for a taxi or my mobile but guess now im going to be setting out on 60mile+ rides I better (will) take the right gear.
Trouble is im alergic to anything technical and mechanical so if you see a stressed out guy at the side of the road sneering at a Silver/Grey Cannondale please stop and help.
PS. For Longest day can I have a support crew?
We were sooooo p**d off !
Not to sure if thats allowed though it was in a feed station.
Lindihopper, im a blonde guy and somehow i dont reckon they would stop for me! unless cash was offered i guess?!!
I may have made a few hearts skip a beat or two (doubt it) but as for killing, not my bag baby!!!!
Haven't had a flat on my racer yet so I have yet to discover how easy or hard those tyres are to get off and on.