Flat tyre - Advice on replacement

The_B_Man

So I got my first full on flat tyre over the weekend.
I'd be just a casual cycler to be honest. Not looking for anything facny. I'd cycle combined total of roughly 2 and a half hours a week.

Since i've never had a flat before, I dont actually know what to look for in a replacement. I'm assuming I'll have to measure my back wheel first anyway, but what else do I need to know? Anything to avoid?

Cheers.

DirkVoodoo

The_B_Man wrote: »

So I got my first full on flat tyre over the weekend.
I'd be just a casual cycler to be honest. Not looking for anything facny. I'd cycle combined total of roughly 2 and a half hours a week.

Since i've never had a flat before, I dont actually know what to look for in a replacement. I'm assuming I'll have to measure my back wheel first anyway, but what else do I need to know? Anything to avoid?

Cheers.

Is it a puncture (EDIT: In the tube inside the tyre) or is the rear tyre damaged?

Cyclist, you are a cyclist.

petethedrummer

Puncture repair kit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79cmQlACL6s

The_B_Man

hah ye cyclist, is that not what i said?

the rear tyre itself is grand. I mean the tube in buggered. I already got a puncture on it and successfully repaired it, but its happened again so thats why I think its due a replacement. Surely I cant keep patching it up indefinately?

Canis Lupus

The_B_Man wrote: »

hah ye cyclist, is that not what i said?

the rear tyre itself is grand. I mean the tube in buggered. I already got a puncture on it and successfully repaired it, but its happened again so thats why I think its due a replacement. Surely I cant keep patching it up indefinately?

You can patch as many times as you like.

As long as the tyre is sound get a repair kit and patch the tube. I personally change at 6ish. Look on the inside of the tyre to make sure whatever caused the puncture isn't still sticking in there and you're good to go.

Highway_To_Hell

I replaced the tyres on my bike over the weekend, eleven patches on one tyre and 4 on the other. Still perfect, I just keep patching unless there is a valve problem or a split instead of a hole.

HivemindXX

Lots of people never bother repairing punctures and just change the tube every time.

On the side of your tyre you should see some raised numbers which tell you the size. This will be something like 700x28. 28 being the thickness of the tyre. In general tubes are for a range of thicknesses (eg: 28-32). If you have the tyre size a shop will give you the correct tube no problem.

The_B_Man

FYI, I bought a repair kit for 3 euro. Then i asked him out of curiosity the tube costs, and he said 6 euro, so i bought one of them as well!

inkedpt

You did well, it's much fast and easier to replace the inner tube when on the road and repair the punctured one once at home. Just be careful with the cheap tyre levers... sometimes they brake.