Cycling UK Forum

In this week's Friday newsletter, there is a link to a youtube video on how to repair a puncture. Some parts are very detailed (like showing what three typical tyres levers should look like) but when it gets to the bit where the problems tend to occur - replacing the cover, especially getting the last few difficult inches over - it happens more or less by magic.

I thought of pointing this out to YR, the editor, but the link for raising things is to this forum. Now, we all know that this forum is provided for us to chat among ourselves, and the people at CTC HQ do not have the time to look at issues raised on here.

The logical conclusion, which I am sure is not intended, is that nobody really cares whether you know how to fix a puncture or not. In my opinion.

There's two ways to fix a puncture - My way and the wrong way

Funny you should mention punctures ....

I use Vittoria Rubino Pros. Puncture proof. Always. Never had a puncture. Ever.

But last month, my rear tyre was getting decidedly worn, and I got a thorn in it. Found it whilst cleaning Bike and checking things over.

I stripped the tyre off, pulled out the thorn, and ditched the tyre. Found a very small puncture, repaired it, and fitted the whole lot back on with a new tyre.

Yes, you've guessed it, the tyre went down. Mind you, it went down over a few days. No matter how hard I blew the whole thing up, and no matter how I looked for escaping air through the tyre in the kitchen sink, (Mrs Mick F permitting) there was no sign of escaping air!

Any advice?

Mick F. Cornwall

Mick F wrote:Funny you should mention punctures ....


Yes, you've guessed it, the tyre went down. Mind you, it went down over a few days. No matter how hard I blew the whole thing up, and no matter how I looked for escaping air through the tyre in the kitchen sink, (Mrs Mick F permitting) there was no sign of escaping air!

Any advice?

Mick F. Cornwall

If it takes a few days to go down, all your going to see in the 'sink' is one bubble a minute if your eagle eyed enough.

TC
they don't show the bit you mention in detail because its amazingly hard to show, because there are so many variables as you've probably found out when trying to explain the same thing to another person. so these quicky videos skip over it in their haste to get into the public eye.

Writing or explaining procedures is probably one of the hardest skills to learn but one of those things every body thinks they can do.

jb wrote:If it takes a few days to go down, all your going to see in the 'sink' is one bubble a minute if your eagle eyed enough.

If you over-inflate the inner-tube, until it expands like a balloon (perhaps four or five times its diameter in the tyre), you will find the hole. I do this with punctures so I don't need water. I just rotate the expanded inner tube past my lips - it's quite easy to pick up the hiss and feel of the escaping air.

Don't forget to check the valve too.

Strange subject this one !! After many years of mending punctures, and periodically coming across the proverbial slow puncture after completing a repair. And yes; over inflating the tube, hanging it on the workshop wall for a few days, only to find that it remains inflated until you put it back in the tyre, and then find that it goes down again.

My conclusions are; (and this is even more specific to puncture resistant tyres, where the tube remains undisturbed for long periods of time) That the tube adheres its self to the inside of the tyre, and the result of peeling it out, causes the rubber on the surface of the tube to become porous in places. This can also happen, due to the normal movement between tube and tyre.
The result is, that the tube will only leak air, under pressure, that’s why you usually find that the tyre will only deflate over a period of time, and will generally go soft and not flat.
( don’t forget that valves do leak!!)

Recommendation; If you can’t find a hole by feeling for air on your lips with the tube inflated, as our friend has said. Or you do not see lots of air bubbles when annoying the wife by using her kitchen sink! Then, the best thing to do is pop a new tube in.

This is only my opinion, Happy riding ................ Paul.

Is it my imagination or are tubes less durable than they used to be. I seem to remember patching and better patching the same tube several times over its life - punctured frequently riding through glass strewn back streets and alleys in Middlesbrough. Now the tubes seem to become porous before they're over patched. Maybe it's just that they seemed to last longer in my yoof when time definitely seemed different

Mendologist wrote:Recommendation; If you can’t find a hole by feeling for air on your lips with the tube inflated, as our friend has said. Or you do not see lots of air bubbles when annoying the wife by using her kitchen sink! Then, the best thing to do is pop a new tube in.

Thanks for all the advice! Yes, a new tube is the way ahead.

(I've got a couple, but just too "tight" to use a new tube when I can get by on an old one!)

I'll get round to it .....

Mick F. Cornwall

thirdcrank: I agree. I once found a link to some London research that discovered that the main reason people didn't cycle was fear of punctures. I am not sure I believe it (laziness might be more believable) but nevertheless.

The problem with punctures is that not only are they tricky for a beginner (especially those without mechanics' hands) but they are the most likely cause of breakdown on a newish bike. When my 17 year old daughter went on a tour with her equally young and inexperienced friend, we addressed the problem by making sure she had a spare tube, levers and repair kit and, for her friend, a wheel spanner. The strategy in the event of a puncture was for her to ask a friendly cyclist or likely looking passer-by for assistance - having the bits ready would facilitate this and their young fair looks would do the rest.

Given that we don't have a cycling equivalent of the AA (why not?), I would like to see bike shops put large posters in their windows advertising immediate puncture repairs.

BTW, tubes are now so cheap that getting the wheel/tyre on and off is really the only problem (in the rain, the dark, the cold, in clean clothes, being watched by shady looking people, losing the valve cap and not being able to wash your hands afterwards. Hmm).

Cycling AA - good idea Horizon

Although I always carry spare tube, tyre levers puncture kit and tool kit - and feel confident to carry out repairs on the road - I know how to mend a puncture but have never ever managed to get a tyre off - or on again.
Could not do it with old 27ins wheels and dont stand a chance with new 26ins.
Just hope I never get a puncture when I'm out on my own.

Probably the best aid for people with small or less strong hands, would be "Var tyre levers". I've used these for years and they are invaluable for levering on the last few inches of tyre. They use the lever principle to do this and so require less strength.

horizon wrote:Given that we don't have a cycling equivalent of the AA (why not?), . . .

We do . . . http://www.eta.co.uk/pages/Cycle-Rescue/21/default.htm

Cost effective ?? For the individual to judge.
Terms & Conditions are likely to apply.

Thanks for that Graham. Yes, I had a inkling they did from looking at their site a few years back so should have checked. It varies from £26 - £53 (and you can also get European cover) depending on puncture cover and membership. I think I would save my money and spend it on some spares etc but at less than £1 per week I would definitely think about it and would recommend it. However they also appear to include it automatically in their cycle insurance so that may be a very good deal. How does this compare with CTC insurance?

I really don't know much about CTC Insurance . . . I have always self-insured, and I only tour on a sub-prime bicycle. ( The best bike is saved for day-rides only, and is never out of sight. )

This has generated some interest but not much on the points I was trying to make.

1/ Whenever there is a heartfelt cry on here about puncture repairs (as opposed to the causes of punctures such as inconsiderate rustics leaving their hedgetrimmings on the road) the big issue is usually getting the cover back on. As I have said so often, I believe this is a question of technique. I watched the video hoping it would be a valuable resource for future heartfelt cries. Unfortunately, when it got to the main bit, the cover went back on by magic. (It might as well have cut to a train going into a tunnel.) A choc teapot, in spite of the eminent people involved.

2/ It is stressed that this forum is not a channel for raising issues with CTC staff. When I thought of raising my disappointment with the CTC staff person concerned, the link invites raising it on this forum. (Which is not a channel for raising issues with CTC staff.)