painless p*nct*re

Wobbler

Well, almost painless.

Yesterday morning I got that now familiar feeling; three p*nct*res in last six months, one in previous four years! A shot of panic rose through me as I realised that I didn't have my kit; I'd moved home two weeks ago and not ridden with them since.

Approx. three miles to go home, four miles to work, 8:30 in the morning, what would you do? I had not long passed a cycle shop, I thought I'd go back to see what time they open. Expecting 9:30 at best, I was joyous to see they were already open. Apparently they start at 8:00 am Monday to Friday.

A tenner and a lovely ten minute chat to the lady owner/working there and I was back on my way. It was almost a pleasure. Taught me a lesson though. Today, p*nct*re kit is with me.

Are there many LBS's open so early? Please advise in case of emergencies.

Thanks

Oh, 'my' shop was Cyclopolis in Balham High Street.

lost_in_thought

Most LBS I know of open at 8, in London anyway. Which will be fortunate if I am ever visited by you-know-who...

ManchesterUK

Can I ask a silly newbie question.

How do you know where the puncture is if you get one while out on the road or is it bl**y obvious when you look at the innertube?

I ask as I cycled back from work last night on a moutain bike and a few hours later realised the front tyre had gone completely flat. I have to repair the thing tonight

cjcp

I think Holdsworth Cycles on the Lower Richmond Road opens at 8.30.

Clever Pun

ManchesterUK wrote:

Can I ask a silly newbie question.

How do you know where the puncture is if you get one while out on the road or is it bl**y obvious when you look at the innertube?

I ask as I cycled back from work last night on a moutain bike and a few hours later realised the front tyre had gone completely flat. I have to repair the thing tonight

don't bother with that one the road. Carry a spare tube. make sure the offending item is out of the tyre and replace...

if you really need to fix it there and then pump the inner tube up a little and look for it and listen too.

Feltup

Take the tube out, pump it up so that it is easily holding shape now starting from the valve slowly go around the tube listening for the leak. I find one of the easiest ways of finding the leak is to keep the tube very close to your lips because they are much more sensitve than the rest of your body( typically)you can feel the tiny blast of air coming out.

Punctures tend to be on the outside of the tube. Make sure you keep checking the tube for other puctures before replacing it in the tyre as you can get hit by several thorns in one go.

Make sure you check the tyre inside and out for sharp items before replacing the inner tube.

Carry a spare inner tube for on the road repairs and fix punctured tubes in the warmth back home.

Sorry if I am stating the obvious.