Preventing Flat Tires

Before we tell you how to fix a flat, let’s see how to prevent them. Better than knowing how to fix a flat tire is not getting one in the first place. Here are products which will help prevent flats, all available at your local friendly bike shop:

• Slime. This is non-toxic goop that you put inside the tube. The slime automatically seals small punctures. Bike shops sell it, and they’ll put it in for you if you don’t know how to remove your valve stem. Only works with standard (Schraeder) tubes, because you can’t remove the valve stems on Presta tubes. Note: Once a tube has been slimed, always make sure the valve is pointing down (12 o’clock position) before putting air in it, otherwise the slime will try to get out.
• Tire Liners. A tire liner is a long strip of tough material that you put between the tube and the tire.
• Thorn-Resistant Tubes. These thick tubes provide more protection against punctures.
• Armadillo Tires. This brand of tires from Specialized is great at resisting punctures. The main disadvantage is a slightly harsher ride, and the fact that it’s a bit hard to get the tires on and off the rims since they’re so stiff.

Repairing and Changing a Flat Tire

Sooner or later you’re going to be faced with the most common source of bicycle misery - the flat tire - usually caused by a tiny puncture to your inner tube. Flats can put an abrupt halt to a terrific ride. However if you’ve brought along the proper equipment, fixing a flat can be done quickly - so you won’t lose too much time. You should practice repairing a flat before the Ride.

You’ll need the following items:

• tire irons;
• bike pump;
• patch kit or spare inner tube.

Follow these steps (see diagram):

1. Remove the wheel and depress the valve stem to release any remaining air.
2. Insert the end of one tire iron (A) under the tire edge and hook the other end to spoke. Start near the valve.
3. Insert the second tire iron (B) in a similar way a few inches from the first tire iron.
4. Slide the third tire iron (C) to pry the rest of tire edge off one side of the rim as shown in Diagram I. Leave other side of tire edge on the rim.
5. Carefully remove the inner tube and locate the puncture by inflating the tube with your tire pump. To find the puncture, listen and feel for escaping air. If you’re at home, immerse the inflated tube in water and look for air bubbles. Inspect the inside of the tire and remove any sharp objects that may have caused the flat. Run your fingers along the rim to check for spokes poking through. If you’d rather replace your tube entirely skip to step 10.
6. After locating the puncture, rough up the area with sandpaper contained in your patch-kit.
7. Apply the rubber cement contained in your patch kit, and let dry for 5 minutes (or as patch kit manufacturer specifies).
8. While the rubber cement is drying, make sure the rubber inside the rim is on straight and covering the tops of the spokes.
9. Peel off the back of an adhesive tire patch and fasten the patch in place over the puncture.
10. Place tube back into tire. Place the valve stem back through the rim hole, and tuck the rest of the tube inside the tire - working away from the valve.
11. Using your hands, reinstall the tire onto the rim (Diagram 2). Do not use tire irons, unless absolutely necessary.
12. Partially inflate tire and check that the tire edge is even all the way around and not pinched between the tire and the rim. Also, listen for the sound of escaping air from the tube. Inflate tire to the pressure marked on sidewall of tire.
13. Remount wheel on your bike, checking alignment and brake adjustment.