Fixing a flat is one of the
most common
repairs. Many used bikes have flat tires because that have
sat
unused for a long time. In some cases the tubes and even the
tires may have rotted and need to be replaced.
If the tires are flat, inspect the tires for dry rot and cuts.
Dry rot will appear as cracks in the side wall of the
tire.
Cuts in the tire can lead to flats. A tire can be
patched is
the cut is small, but it should be replaced. Tires with dry
rot
should be replaced. Even though, they can be pumped up and
can
hold air, tires with dry rot are dangerous to use since they can tear
off of the rim when turning.
You will need three the following items to fix a flat tire
Pump
- There are
two types of values used on bicycle tires - shrader valves and presta
valves. Shrader valves are similar to the valves on car
tires. Most
bicycle
pumps are designed to work with both types of valves. Some
have
two connectors. Others have one connecter that needs to be
configured for the type of valve. Some pumps have a gauge to
measure pressure. Small pumps can be mounted to your frame
and
carried with you when you ride so you can repair flats on the road.
It is best to have two pumps - a large one to keep at home
and a
portable one to carry on the bike. If you only get one, get
the
portable one that you can carry on the bike.
Tire Levers
- The
levers are user to get the tire on and off of the rim. Most
are
made of plastic and are inexpensive. If you want to be
prepared
to fix a flat on the road, you should carry a set of tire levers.
Extra Tube
and patch kit - When
you get a flat, you can either replace the tube or patch it.
It
is not always possible to repair the flat by patching the tire.
If the tear in the tube is large or if the flat was caused by
a
broken valve, you must replace the tube. It is a good idea to
carry both an extra tube and a patch kit. Both are
inexpensive
and can save you from a long walk home.
Here is a good video demonstrating how to remove bike wheels
and fix flat tires
It is a good idea to learn how to repair a flat before you have one on
the road. Try removing your rear wheel, let the air out of
the
tube, remove the tube from the wheel, re-install the tube and tire,
pump up the tire and replace the wheel in the bike at home.
Once
you can do this, you will be more confident when you get a flat on the
road. Many bike shops have sessions where they teach you to
replace a flat. Call your local bike shop to find out.
