First blow out.

MB Lacey

And all my fault. Thought if I posted this it might save someone else the same experience.
I learnt how to change a flat tyre last week and decided I'd have a go on my own new bike.
I let the air out of the front inner tube, took the tube off the wheel, put it back in the wheel rim (so I thought), pumped it to 110, checked all around the tyre and rim and didnt see any bulges or obvious tube escaping, all looked good.
Wasn't I great.

Went out today, cycling along, thought I heard a leaf rubbing between the tyre and mudguard, checked a few times, couldn't see anything but noise continued.
Stopped, checked tyre and saw the inner tube escaping from under the tyre- bollox.
Decided I'd cycle slowly home, but the bulging inner tube made a loud gunshot sound and blew out.
Had to do a walk of shame back home with a flat front tyre.

Not only had I incorrectly fitted the inner tube, I had also left my 3 spare tubes, wheel clamps and fancy co2 thing at home.

Lesson to others (and me):
1. double check your inner tubes are in firmly inside the wheel rim when fixing a puncture before cycling again.
2. Always, even if you're just going on a short cycle round Phoenix park, carry your spare tube and pump.
At least it was nice weather for the walk of shame.

smacl

Kind of surprised someone didn't stop and offer some assistance. Any time I've had a puncture, I usually get a number of offers of help, and done the same myself.

Sauve

MB Lacey wrote: »

1. double check your inner tubes are in firmly inside the wheel rim when fixing a puncture before cycling again.

I've started putting a little air into the inner tube before popping it into the outer, it makes mistakes much easier to spot as you're making them when putting the wheel back onto the rim. Minimises risk of pinches too..

doozerie

Putting a small amount of air into the tube before fitting it inside the tyre can help avoid the tube getting trapped under the tyre edge when re-seating the tyre. I also leave the section of tyre at the valve to last and push the valve into the rim a bit to help prevent that section of tube being pinched by the last bit of tyre to be seated.

Sauve

Sauve wrote: »

I've started putting a little air into the inner tube before popping it into the outer

doozerie wrote: »

Putting a small amount of air into the tube before fitting it inside the tyre

Get out of my thoughts!! :pac:

MB Lacey

Thanks, yes just put new inner tube in and blew a bit of air in first. Decided I'd take the tyre off completely, put tube right around the wheel then tyre. Around the valve bit was tricky, so ta for the tip to leave it till lastsouble checked all round inner rim that no inner tube was poking out under tyre.
Smcal, no cyclists with saddle bags went by, and tbh I wouldn't have minded if they cycled past, maybe lesson better learnt having to walk home.

godtabh

Happened me twice last weekend. Tyre wall riled and didn't notice it the first time. Had to walk the last 5km home

Keep_Her_Lit

For certain tyre/tube combos, I've found that a poor fit sometimes becomes apparent only when the tyre is partly inflated, e.g. 40-60 psi. So I usually pause around about then and quickly check the tyre/rim interface again to ensure that the tyre is still properly seated all the way around. I learned that the hard way, when my pumping effort was rudely interrupted by a loud bang!

Also, if you've been doing loads of big skids recently, think twice before inflating your rear tyre to the maximum recommended pressure ....

Although most households seem to have at least one bicycle, it's surprising how many don't have a bicycle pump. Consequently, I've become the go-to guy on our road for all bicycle tyre inflation requirements. Let's face it, a track pump fitted with a pressure guage is a very impressive piece of equipment, especially when it goes PHHIISSSHHHHHT!! upon release from the valve.

So there was I, obligingly inflating yet another urchin's tyre ... 20psi - 30psi - 40psi ... BAANGGG!!! My next door neighbour appeared in her porch within seconds, looking very alarmed, as though someone had just been shot. And the poor kid who had hoped to be riding around within the next minute stared at the remains of their rear tyre, then me, as if to say "why did I let this eejit near my bike, he's just blown it up!" The only way to salvage any credibility was to fit a replacement tyre, which I duly did. Another lesson learned.