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One of those days, had to make the dreaded phone call…

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  • October 9, 2016 at 3:10 pm #26362
    sergius

    “Hi, I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere, can you come and get me?”

    It’s not worth going into the shouting match about how I ruined the day, or that the postcode for the garage I was waiting at was actually wrong, sending her 8 miles up the road via a massively long way around.

    The upshot to all of this is that there is precisely zero chance she’ll ever come and pick me up again, so I need to ensure that I never get stuck like that again.

     

    From a technical point of view I didn’t really do anything wrong; I got a puncture so replaced the tube.  Unfortunately the brand new spare that I was carrying had a knackered valve and wouldn’t take any air.  Fair enough, so I fixed the puncture in the old tube, put that back on and inflated it – unfortunately, when I unscrewed the pump the valve core came with it…

    My multi-tool seems to have everything apart from pliers, which is not entirely surprising – but did mean I had no-way of tightening the valve core enough that it would stay in when I unscrewed the pump.

     

    I normally carry the following:

    – Spare tube

    – Tyre boot + a set of those lezyne puncture repair stickers

    – Mini-pump (of the screw on kind)

    – A tenner

     

    While this has sufficed for the last 4 years, it didn’t do the trick today.  So onto the questions:

    – Can anyone recommend some decent Butyl inner tubes without removeable cores? I clearly never remember to superglue the ****** things, so I need to ensure that issue doesn’t recur.  I don’t like the idea of sealant particularly so I’ve never used it – though I suspect I may have to change my view on this now.  I’d been punture free for the last 10000km, have now had 5 this summer.

    – I don’t take my wallet with me for waterproofing reasons and pocket space reasons – has anyone seen a waterproof phone case (for a large handset, LG G4) with extra space for credit cards/cash?

    – Can anyone recommend a mini-pump with a flexible tube from pump to valve, that isn’t a screw on one?

    – Is a service like Uber any use for a taxi from god-knows-where in Surrey back into London?  This might be the catalyst for me to actually sign up to it.

     

    Any other suggestions?  

     

     

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  • October 15, 2016 at 1:46 pm #879503
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    Nixster

    I see you’ve found the valve

    I see you’ve found the valve core tool on Wiggle. I’ve got a few, they’re good for getting £9.99 things over the free postage limit (and vital when running valve extenders). 

    Ride tubs is my other semi-serious suggestion.  In the event of a sudden loss of pressure you can still ride home on them, albeit slowly. Does knacker the tub though.  I’ve not found Conti Sprinter Gatorskins that reliable so have had far too much practice recently.

    Time for the winter wheels I think!

    October 14, 2016 at 11:08 pm #879501
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    ktache

    For the tight rims,

    For the tight rims,

    I have tried, in the past, slightly diluted washing up liquid, which helped but was still very difficult, conti grand prix on 26′ mavic mountain bike rims, so tight that they rarely seated even when at the pressures I could manage, which caused vibration, resulting in temporary loss of feeling in my little fingers.  How we learn.  Awful footpump and mini pump.

    Any way these days I tend to talc the tubes and the inner tyre, some gets on the bead and it slides over the rim.  The other end of my Pedros Milk Lever tends to help that last little bit, if needed.  Doing one thing that helps, helps another.  Wouldn’t work for tubeless, mind.

    I like the warming idea, Always better doing work in the warm, and softening stuff as well.

    October 14, 2016 at 9:53 pm #879499
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    Simon E

    sergius wrote:

    sergius wrote:
    is there a knack I’m missing for fitting new tyres onto rims for the first time? 

    Have a look at http://cyclingtips.com/2016/09/ask-ella-how-can-i-make-tough-tyre-changes-easier/

    October 14, 2016 at 10:29 am #879497
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    DaveE128

    I seem to recall from when I

    I seem to recall from when I had a similar bad experience with loose valves (thanks Conti!) that part of my chain tool can be abused to perform the role of makeshift valve wrench. I think it’s the gap that the rivet is pushed through. Not 100% sure about this however!

    I think that Specialized tubes don’t have removable valves, though not 100% sure about this either. They are a reasonable weight and can often be had for a sensible price too.

    Edit – seems I was right about the chain tool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdolc0sybgs

    October 14, 2016 at 10:13 am #879495
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    sergius

    Folding, I’m generally

    Folding, I’m generally banished into the cold for any bike related maintenance tasks – so I’ve noever tried heating them up first – will give that a go next time.

    October 14, 2016 at 10:10 am #879493
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    kil0ran
    sergius wrote:
    Turns out it wasn’t a busted valve in the replacement tube, it just came pre-punctured from Continental 🙁

    Sodding great hole in the thing so the hand pump made no headway at all.  Had a grumble at Wiggle about it so they’ve given me a voucher for some new ones.  The 90p valve core tools seem to work ok as well.

     

    One further question, is there a knack I’m missing for fitting new tyres onto rims for the first time?  It took me over 30 minutes to manage to fit the new Gatorskin tyre I bought last night, I’ve always found that process awkward but that tyre was taking the biscuit.

     

    Any hints?

    Wired or folding?

    Assuming new tyre is going on at home make sure its nice and warm – works particularly well for folders. Just hang it on the rad for ten minutes (preferably in the missus’ boudoir as no doubt she’ll love the stink of fresh German rubber 😉

     

    October 14, 2016 at 9:28 am #879491
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    sergius

    Turns out it wasn’t a busted

    Turns out it wasn’t a busted valve in the replacement tube, it just came pre-punctured from Continental 🙁

    Sodding great hole in the thing so the hand pump made no headway at all.  Had a grumble at Wiggle about it so they’ve given me a voucher for some new ones.  The 90p valve core tools seem to work ok as well.

     

    One further question, is there a knack I’m missing for fitting new tyres onto rims for the first time?  It took me over 30 minutes to manage to fit the new Gatorskin tyre I bought last night, I’ve always found that process awkward but that tyre was taking the biscuit.

     

    Any hints?

    October 14, 2016 at 5:13 am #879489
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    FatBoyW

    Cut old worn tyre to make

    Cut old worn tyre to make boot for  tears, easybto make a few sizes and won’t wear the inner tube

    October 11, 2016 at 7:26 pm #879487
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    stevio1967

    Had the valve cores undo

    Had the valve cores undo twice stranding me but in both cases it was less than 5 miles from home… In both cases it was a Conti tube that let me down – both bought @ the same time, combined with a Lezyne screw on pump. Now do tubes up to breaking point with pliers first…

    October 11, 2016 at 6:37 pm #879485
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    madcarew
    turboprannet wrote:
    Would the new plastic fivers not also be an even better tyre boot than the old ones now too?

    In NZ they do work for small tears, but race numbers do a pretty good job too.

    October 11, 2016 at 6:35 pm #879483
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    madcarew

    Has anyone suggested change

    Has anyone suggested change the wife??? Jesus. God help her next time she wants picking up from the station at night.

    But on a slightly more practical level

    • Always 2 tubes.
    • a few leaches (patches that don’t require glue)
    • Non-screw in pump. I use a fat mtb pump which takes 50 strokes to get the (road bike) tyre to 60 psi. I’ve never had a valve core unscrew. Ever. In 30 yrs.
    • ziplock bag (free with pick and mix at supermarket) for phone and pony.
    • Piece of icecream tub lid about 3″ x 1.5″ used as a temporary boot. Will cover significant tear in tyre. Used many times successfully. Will eventually wear thru innertube, but only after about 200 miles.
    • Get a partner who doesn’t mind coming and picking you up, considers it fair exchange for the occasional afternoon at Ikea….
    October 11, 2016 at 6:19 pm #879481
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    ianking

    Spares kit: 2 tubes, Patches

    Spares kit: 2 tubes, Patches + rubber solution, tyre boot, short (2 links) chain section + 2 magic links,  gear cable, cable ties, 2 spokes + nipples. Contemplationg getting a spare hanger for long (more than 1 day) trips.

    Tools: Leyzine multitool, tyre levers, tweezers, spoke key.  

    Is this overkill?

    October 11, 2016 at 1:18 pm #879479
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    nniff

    Tubeless tyres for me, with

    Tubeless tyres for me, with one spare tube wrapped in cling film and then gaffa tape (with a pull tab to get it open again) – tucked in under the saddle and held in place with an elastic band.  Small handpump, one tyre lever and small, flat minitool  (Decathlon), all held together with an elastic band, in one pocket.

    Belroy waterproof leather phone case/wallet – cards, cash, phone, front door key.  Used all day, every day for the past year.  In middle pocket

     

    October 11, 2016 at 1:13 pm #879477
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    gonedownhill

    Take a debit card and a note

    Take a debit card and a note instead of your whole wallet and you’ll be grand.

    If you have bike specific insurance they usually include some sort of ‘get me home’ thing in event of mechanicals, although not sure if they would pay out for what is essentially a puncture.

     

    Cycle Rescue: breakdown cover for bikes

    The ETA were the first to offer a recovery service for cyclists, included at no extra charge when you take out bicycle insurance. If you are unable to complete a journey due to a crash or mechanical failure, we will pay for the transportation of you and your bike from any road in Britain, with an average response time of 39 minutes. We will take you and your cycle to a railway station, cycle repair shop, back to your car, home, or to alternative accommodation – whichever is nearer. Should you require cover in the rest of Europe, you will need our Cycle Rescue stand-alone policy.

    October 11, 2016 at 12:42 pm #879475
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    Simon E

    5 punctures in a short period

    5 punctures in a short period, perhaps it’s time for some new tyres.

    I like my Lezyne mini pump with screw-on rubber hose. I’ve only had a valve core unscrew on me once, I think it was a Schwalbe. Nipping it up with pliers ensured it didn’t happen again. I have some standard Specialized Presta tubes that appear to be a one-piece construction so you might like get some of those.

    Perhaps consider adding a chain tool & quicklink and a couple of zipties to your toolkit.

    if your other half ever runs out of fuel out in the countryside would you react in the same way?

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