Also called "flat". Ways to avoid punctures, deal with punctures, etc.
26
votes
12answers
4k views
What type of tires can prevent goatheads?
We have a lot of goatheads1 in our area, and they have a tendency to do something like this to bike tires:
Unfortunately, I ride a road bike (specifically a Kona Dew), so I have much smaller, ...
12
votes
5answers
610 views
Which kind of tube valve is the best?
What kind of valve is the best one, a Presta valve (6mm) or a Schrader valve (8mm).
Which has the best reliability, which one is easiest to fix a flat on?
14
votes
7answers
6k views
How to get the tyre back on to the rim easily?
What is the best/easiest way to get the tyre back on to a rim after removing it to fix a puncture for example?
Some tyres can be really hard to get back on to the rim. I don't like using the tyre ...
5
votes
7answers
1k views
I keep getting flats
I have been getting flats every 20-30 miles for the last 2 months. This has caused serious inconvenience to me, as bicycle is my preferred mode of transport to work and class. Details of the ...
7
votes
5answers
724 views
Slow leak on front cruiser tire
I ride my cruiser to the supermarket and back, using either a trailer or a basket over the front wheel for carrying groceries. The bike has developed a persistent slow leak on the front wheel, and ...
10
votes
7answers
858 views
How do I fix a puncture?
I got a flat/puncture on my bike tube, how can I fix it myself without going to the nearest bike shop? What kind of equipment would I need?
23
votes
10answers
5k views
What are the disadvantages of “puncture proof” (or puncture resistant) tires?
Some people refer to tires that are more resistant to punctures as "puncture proof" tires.
For example: Specialized All Condition Armadillo Tyre
Even though these tires are not really puncture proof, ...
17
votes
7answers
7k views
Am I too heavy for my road bike tires?
I am wondering if bike tires have a weight limit. I have to admit, I am a large guy at 6'3" 250lb (190 cm, 113,5 kg), and I have always had issues with my road bike's tires getting pinch flats. I ...
13
votes
9answers
4k views
Which puncture-resistant tires?
I commute on city streets and have had two punctures in 5 months: first a roofing nail, second a small shard of glass.
Punctures are a nuisance.
I've read some people recommend Schwalbe "Marathon" ...
9
votes
4answers
724 views
What is a good way to keep my tires from going flat easily?
Title says it all, how do I keep my bicycle tires from going flat easily? I live in an area with a lot of sharp stuff (think glass shards, nails, cactus, etc)...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I repair a tyre with a deep cut?
I have some foldable racing tyres, still with plenty of tread but with some small cuts through the tread & cloth. Can I do anything to them or are they destined for the bin?
19
votes
11answers
2k views
Do glueless tube patches work as well as glue ones?
Quite a few years ago I tried some glueless patches for repairing my punctured tubes while out on the road, and found that they rarely stayed on for very long. I know that technology has advanced a ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
What's the rubber tube in my puncture repair kit for?
I've got an old school puncture repair kit, the type with glue and patches.
As well as the sandpaper, patches, 'vulcanizing fluid' and instructions, there is a 2.5cm long, 3mm wide, beige rubber ...
12
votes
7answers
761 views
Fixing a flat - how to find the piercing object?
Just had a flat and having problems finding the thing that pierced the tube in the tire. Normally I just run my fingers around in it, until I found it, but this time everything looks O.K.
My ...
6
votes
5answers
209 views
How do you deal with flats in the winter?
I was lucky last winter I went the entire winter without getting a flat. I attribute it mostly to:
sharp items on the road being hidden under snow and ice
less agressive riding resulting in no ...
6
votes
3answers
424 views
Frequent blow outs in the same location
I keep getting blow outs in my front tube and always in the same location: right next to the valve stem. The blow outs look like:
On this same tube, there is wear on exactly the other side of the ...
3
votes
3answers
591 views
Best practice for patching snakebite pinch flats on skinny tubes
So, I tend to run 700x23c or 700x25c tires on my commuter bike. Sometimes I'm lazy and forget to check the air pressure and inevitably get a pinch flat when I hit some stationary object, pothole, or ...
