I've got a flat! What do I do?
 verybody knows how to fix a tire! If you're one of
those people who have never fixed a flat, no worries. A flat tire is one of those givens in life that occurs at the worst
possible moment. To minimize its effect, learn to repair flats quickly. The procedure is
easy to master.
Since patching tires with highway tar is virtually
impossible, it's important to carry a repair kit. It should include:
- A spare tube (sized to your tire)
- Two or three tire levers
- A patch kit (for the inevitable second puncture)
- A frame mounted pump, which should have either a
Schrader valve (as found on auto tires) or a Presta valve (narrow, European) to match your
tubes and spare
Removal and
Inspection
Before beginning to repair a flat, find a safe
place to work away from traffic. Don't turn the bike upside down, because you might damage
the brake cables or replace the wheel improperly. Rather, remove the wounded wheel, lay
the bike on its left (nondrivetrain) side, and follow these steps.
1. Deflate the tube completely by depressing the
spring-loaded center pin on a Schrader valve, or by unscrewing and depressing the pin on a
Presta valve.
2. Insert the flat, spoonlike surface of one tire
lever between the tire bead and the rim, about 2 inches from the valve. Pry off the bead
by pulling the lever toward the hub and hooking it to a spoke.
3. Insert a second lever under the same bead about
2 inches to the other side of the valve. Pull the lever down, prying off more of the bead.
If the bead is still tight, hook this lever to a spoke and insert a third lever 2 inches
farther along the rim. Then pry at 4-inch intervals until the entire bead is free. It's
unnecessary to unseat the other bead from the rim to remove the tube.
4. Starting opposite the valve, pull the inner tube
from the tire. Then carefully remove the valve from the rim.
5. Locate the puncture by inflating the tube and
listening for a hiss. Water or saliva rubbed on the leak will bubble.
6. Match the damaged part of the tube to the
corresponding section of tire to find the cause of the puncture. Inspect the tire for
holes, cut tread, or a detached bead. You might find a shard of glass or other sharp
object lodged in the tread. Remove all foreign matter and double check by feeling under
the tread. If the tire has a hole larger than 1/8 inch, you must repair it to contain the
tube. A folded dollar bill works well in an emergency (it's linen, not paper). Just place
it across the hole before installing the tube. Inflate only to 75 percent of recommended
pressure.
Repairing
the Tube
On the road, it's easier to install a spare, but if
you have to repair the tube, follow these steps.
1. Choose the right patch. Small round ones work
best on pinhole punctures, while long, oval patches fit the dual snake-bite holes made by
a rim pinch. Blowouts of 1/2 inch or more are usually beyond repair.
2. Buff the area around the puncture with
sandpaper. Make it slightly larger than the patch.
3. Apply a thin, even coat of glue to the buffed
surface and allow it to dry (it will turn from shiny to dull).
4. Peel the backing from the patch and apply it
carefully to the glued area, pressing it firmly in place (you only get one chance). Some
patches have foil on one side and plastic on the other. The surface under the foil goes
against the glue.
Reinstallation
1. Inflate the new or repaired tube until it just
takes shape.
2. Insert the valve into the rim.
3. Carefully work the tube into the tire so there
are no kinks or wrinkles.
4. Begin working the bead onto the rim, starting at
the valve. Don't use tire levers for installation–you're likely to cause another
puncture by pinching the tube.
5. As the bead becomes harder to push onto the rim,
deflate the tube completely to provide maximum slack. Then, use the palms of your hands to
push the bead into place.
6. Push the valve stem into the tire to ensure that
the bead is seated, then pull out firmly.
7. Fully inflate the tire and spin the wheel in
your hands as you watch the bead line on each side. It should appear just above the rim.
If it bulges up or dips below, deflate the tube and use your hands to work the tire into
place. It's best to go through this procedure at least once at home so your roadside
repairs will be quick and competent. |
