How to fix a flat: Prevention and preparation (part 1)

May 13, 1:16 PMNY Bicycle Transportation ExaminerMeredith Sladek

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What is the surefire way to look and feel like the hottest cat on the block? Knowing how to fix a flat tire while on the road. If there is one thing to take away from this May's Bike Month, it ought to be that. Though most cyclists have a vague idea of what to do, they are often either ill-equipped or know too little about the process in order to do it safely and effectively. Instead of wasting time and money at a bike shop, it is a simple process that, once mastered, will take you about ten to fifteen minutes and save you about ten to fifteen dollars. It will earn you, however, the accomplished glow of self-repair and the respect and admiration of fellow cyclists, friends and foes alike, who have been relegated to curbside with nary a bike shop in sight.

A bicycle tire is the rubber treaded circle that makes contact with the road. The tire goes around the wheel (the spoked metal frame) and rests on the inside of the rim, which is the side of the wheel. Squeeze the brakes. They touch the rim. The tire is inflated by the tube, which is underneath and protected by the tire. When there is a leak in the tire, it means there is actually a leak in the tube and it will need to be patched or replaced.

Check your tire pressure at least once a week. It is normal for a tire to lose air over a period of time. Most pumps are equipped with a gauge that reads your tire pressure, and all tires list the maximum pressure on them. Do not exceed that pressure, and do not go too far beneath it. This, and regular tube replacement, will help remedy slow leaks

Other types of flats include punctures (caused by running over sharp objects that poke through the tire into the tube), blowouts (sudden losses of air, indicative by a loud popping noise and caused by either massive puncture, overinflation, or both), or pinch cuts (when a tire hits a sharp edge and the tube gets pinched between the bottom of the tire and the rim). To stave off those flats, there are products available that will guard against the need for roadside repair. Slime is a non-toxic product that goes inside a tube that helps strengthen against small punctures. Armadillo tires from Specialized are stiffer, made with Kevlar, incredibly flat-resistant, and come with a replacement guarantee.

It also helps to avoid adverse road conditions, such as significantly rocky terrain, glass, potholes, cobblestones, and various debris. It's also worth mentioning that said debris, when run over, could turn projectile and potentially injure you, or someone behind or nearby.

While riding, you will know you have a flat if your steering is jerky or soft, if your bicycle is significantly harder to pedal, or if your rim starts scraping against the ground. When this occurs, immediately remove your bicycle from the road to a curb or sidewalk. Not only is it dangerous to ride in traffic—or anywhere—on a bike that is not fully functional, but riding on a flat will significantly damage your rim, and a new set of wheels is a lot more expensive than a new tube.

Repair and rejoice (part 2)