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Main
Date: 23 May 2007 21:12:48
From: Jay
Subject: Hopeless Newbie can't even fix a simple flat?!
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Dear RBM:
My LBS spec-ed and built a new (replacement) 20" rear wheel for my folder -
Sun Rhyno Lite XL rim. Like it a lot (looks great).
I then installed a brand-new tire and tube. I mounted the completed wheel
last Friday, and all was well.
Rode the bike every single day since Fri. Arrived at work Tues, no problems.
Ready to ride home Tues pm, Completely flat tire. Imagine my surprise.
I really thought I had a good handle on such a newbie topic as fixing flats.
I know that everyone says this particular Sun rim is not easy to mount a
tire onto. I don't know if the rim flange is taller, or if the overall wheel
diameter is greater, whatever. I used multiple bike levers to mount the tire
(the Park tire lever set, and that single green thing).
Wed pm (after walking home 4 miles Tues pm and 4 miles to work Wed am) , I
inspected the new tire, no damage. There is obviously a leak in the new
tube, but I did not inspect it closely (ran out of time at work). Installed
a new tube; rode home - fine so far.
To make a long boring story short - here is the executive summary:
Q: Did I probably damage the new tube when I installed it? If so, why was I
able to ride it fine for 5 days?
Q1: I suppose there is a miniscule chance that the new tube was defective. I
doubt this, but I simply cannot rule it out.
Because of this incident, my confidence in repairing flats is decimated. I
thought I was able to do such a trivial bike repair task, but I clearly was
mistaken.
Tomorrow, I can post close-up pics of the tube point-of-failue, if that
might be helpful.
I am disappointed in my bike repair skills, and heart sick to my very soul -
J.
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Date: 26 May 2007 16:58:30
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Hopeless Newbie can't even fix a simple flat?!
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Jay <jbollyn@gmail.com > wrote:
>
> Q: Did I probably damage the new tube when I installed it? If so, why was I
> able to ride it fine for 5 days?
Probably.
> Q1: I suppose there is a miniscule chance that the new tube was defective. I
> doubt this, but I simply cannot rule it out.
It's possible. That's one reason I kind of prefer patched tubes. I've
had experience with a few bad tubes before. So I generally have more
confidence in my patched tubes than new boxed ones.
I have to say, I pulled the tire from the front wheel of my Raleigh
Twenty to swap it onto a new BMX wheel for it. That was *bar none* the
most difficult tire removal I've ever performed. It took me the better
part of an hour, three tire levers, and my thumb was bleeding because I
managed to peel the nail off my nailbed.
So don't feel too bad.
--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
"We have to go forth and crush every world view that doesn't believe in
tolerance and free speech." - David Brin
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Date: 23 May 2007 22:33:53
From: David L. Johnson
Subject: Re: Hopeless Newbie can't even fix a simple flat?!
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Jay wrote:
> Q: Did I probably damage the new tube when I installed it? If so, why was I
> able to ride it fine for 5 days?
yes, probably. If you pinched a bit of the tube between rim and tire it
might take a few days for it to work loose. Then it will deflate.
>
> Q1: I suppose there is a miniscule chance that the new tube was defective. I
> doubt this, but I simply cannot rule it out.
Less likely than, sorry to say, user error.
>
> Because of this incident, my confidence in repairing flats is decimated. I
> thought I was able to do such a trivial bike repair task, but I clearly was
> mistaken.
Tight tire/rim combinations are a RPITA. Most of us learn to use good
ones, but it takes time. With a 29er, you are on your own as far as
most of us go.
>
> Tomorrow, I can post close-up pics of the tube point-of-failue, if that
> might be helpful.
Side of the tube, horizontal gash?
>
> I am disappointed in my bike repair skills, and heart sick to my very soul -
> J.
Never fear. We have all been there.
--
David L. Johnson
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Date: 24 May 2007 02:20:50
From: Leo Lichtman
Subject: Re: Hopeless Newbie can't even fix a simple flat?!
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"Jay" wrote: (clip) I am disappointed in my bike repair skills, and heart
sick to my very soul -
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sob.
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