Flat Tires - Triathlon Week

dcornettjr · 06-26-2006, 04:23 PM

Since I begain traing last year, I have had 2 blow out, (not slow leaks, but total flat in second). both times I was over 6 miles from the house. Neither time did a quick repair kit fix the flat. I am using tubes.... I can not imagine this happening in a race, (guess is blows you game plan apart).

So.... what do you do. I am new new to the sport and still learning the in and outs.

Dennis

Spike10 · 06-26-2006, 10:06 PM

This is a subject where I have alot of knowlege, a flat is a part of cycling just as a missed gear or being blown into the weeds by some guy on a full carbon bike with a flame paint job. We need to deal with each as they come, as for the blow outs, I carry a saddle pouch under my saddle (duh:)) in it I carry 2 tire levers and two tubes, and finally a small patch kit. This is just about all you will need to get yourself to the finish line or home. If you blast a tire like cutting it from side to side, a folded dollar bill or almost any piece of paper you can find along side the road should do the trick. First remove the wheel from your bike and using the tire levers (available at your LBS in sets) pop off one side or the tire and remove the tube, replace with a new one from your kit and as you put the tire back on the rim fold the dollar bill so it will block the cut in your tire so the tube will not bulge out of the cut. Inflate slowly so the bead will seat and the patch holds in place. I use a pump on my bike but in a race some folks like CO2 as it is much faster. When you get it right the patch should not let the tube come out and it will hold until you can get another tire. If it is just a flat do the same thing as above but check the inside of the tire for the object that caused the pain in the first place and remove it with much haste! Replace the tube, pump it up and off you go. In the rare instance that you tripple flat this is when the patch kit comes in handy, just path the hole in one of your tubes and procede from there. If you get more flats than you have tubes or patches for then you need to pull out a cell phone and call for a pickup because your luck is shot!
I hope I have put a smile on your face and some knowlege of repair in your head,
Happy riding.
Spike.
P.S. As for the guy with the flame paint job, smile and wave when he's changing his tire further down the road:)

sfricks · 06-27-2006, 07:28 AM

Great advise Spike! I'd also like to add. If you're "blowing out" you may have anothe problem like a pinch flat. Here are a few tips to help you:
1) Make certain your tires are COMPLETELY inflated before begining your ride. If your tires will accomodate 120PSI inflate to 120PSI. The higher the rate of inflation, the less likely you are to pinch flat.
2) After removing the spent tube from the tire and before installing the new tube, run your fingers along the inside of the tire to make sure no road debris remains from a punctured tire.
3) If you're going to Tri and don't want to drop out and "DNF" buy and learn to use a CO2 power inflator. You'll save 1-2 minutes and fully inflate your tire.
HTH

sfricks · 06-27-2006, 07:35 AM

Great advise Spike! I'd also like to add. If you're "blowing out" you may have anothe problem like a pinch flat. Here are a few tips to help you:
1) Make certain your tires are COMPLETELY inflated before begining your ride. If your tires will accomodate 120PSI inflate to 120PSI. The higher the rate of inflation, the less likely you are to pinch flat.
2) After removing the spent tube from the tire and before installing the new tube, run your fingers along the inside of the tire to make sure no road debris remains from a punctured tire.
3) If you're going to Tri and don't want to drop out and "DNF" buy and learn to use a CO2 power inflator. You'll save 1-2 minutes and fully inflate your tire.
HTH

usasportstrain · 08-23-2006, 11:03 AM

I've learned the hard way with CO2 inflators...

Make sure you don't puncture the CO2 cartridge until it's needed. Carry additional spare cartridges for longer rides, maybe even a normal pump instead.

I'm curious if anyone has used the green puncture goo. I haven't and wonder if the extra weight is worth it.

sfricks · 08-23-2006, 03:10 PM

Can't help you there. I suppose it depends on the terrain. We get a lot of debris here after it rains. I try to avoid tire & wheel destruction by riding a set of "training" wheels (cheap tires & rims) when not actually in a race. Then my Ksyriums go on when racing.

For inflators I use the following policy:
1) training - carry a cell phone, 1 inflator, 2 16g CO2 cartridges, 2 tubes & multi tool
2) cycle racing - none. If I flat, I'm out. Why carry the weight?
3) Sprint & Oly Tri - flat pack same as #1 with the cell phone
4) 70.3 Tri - same as #1 plus a small patch kit, mylar film (see below) & multi tool
5) 140.6 Tri - 1 Tire, 2 tubes, 3 16g CO2s, 1 primary inflator, 1 small, light weight threaded spare inflator head, multi tool, large patch kit, 2" x 6" strip of mylar film to repair large tears in a tire. In the Bike special needs bag I'll also have 2 more tubes & 3 more CO2s.

Now... all this said, it seems like the Slime product you're referring to would be lighter but it only allows for small punctures in the tube. A glass cut tire would put you out of business. HTH