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Path: ...!fu-berlin.de!uni-berlin.de!individual.net!not-for-mail From: Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech Subject: Re: First flat in a looooong time Date: 2 Apr 2025 16:59:03 GMT Lines: 94 Message-ID: <m558mnFc8sU1@mid.individual.net> References: <9jb9ujhl5v9o2aph80i4muia5r2o6qqhf4@4ax.com> <9eaoujdem21cogf4aue0j9jfem20rjl9ti@4ax.com> <vsiae7$okjp$2@dont-email.me> <lu6quj5f086qonusmf8nobu40eh7ugkcbi@4ax.com> <vsjnqr$28mef$1@dont-email.me> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Trace: individual.net RMJAMrk7Auz7+xQjHkQIuwK0ljaIce5GokBSWiGm7WimhBiRNt Cancel-Lock: sha1:1RPboduP6liODm3BPK+W23BVPxE= sha1:isT3ObQqjeg5kdgkpeEkbd+Zz+A= sha256:jkb8Dc7xeoOJZNi6EMt+Ntr9n0KroKZBLqTrW2v2SaU= User-Agent: NewsTap/5.5 (iPad) Bytes: 5585 Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > On 4/2/2025 7:54 AM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote: >> Am Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400 schrieb Frank Krygowski >> <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>: >> >>> While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club >>> put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a >>> selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests. >>> >>> One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the >>> contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel, >>> remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the >>> tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days), >>> install the wheel and re-set the brakes. >>> >>> The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the >>> best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik >>> Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic >>> tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less >>> than a minute, IIRC. >> >> Impossible, when using a Rema TipTop patching set from that time. Those >> sold nowadays are advertised with "there is no need to wait until the >> SVS vulcanization fluid dries because the inner tube patch can be fitted >> immediately after the coat of fluid has been applied". Those sets from >> twenty or more years ago recommended to wait about five minutes before >> applying the patch to the prepared tube. The applied contact adhesive >> had to be dry before the patch was pressed on; the higher the contact >> pressure, the better the patch held. > > Understood. Again, for the contest I described, there was no patching > involved. I suppose we could have made it slightly more realistic by > making the contestant use a replacement tube that was still in the box, > but we just had them remove the original tube entirely, then put it all > back together. > >>>> On other occasions, I just >>>> mounted a new tube and patched at home, later. >>> >>> That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the >>> necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go. >> >> Sure. But sometimes, you have to patch on the road, for example when you >> get a second flat and don't carry a another tube. Happened to me a few >> years ago. > > Right. I remember one ride five to ten years ago when I had (I think) > three independent flats within about 15 miles. > >>> BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike, >>> unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she >>> needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air. >>> >>> Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>> it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her >>> how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare >>> tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc. >> >> Even around here, where almost every child or adult is able to ride a >> bicycle and does it at least now and then, the majority seems to become >> unable doing even the simplest repairs. > > Yes, and I think some people on this discussion group lose sight of the > fact that we are much different than almost all cyclists. Indeed I’ve club mates who can’t change a tube, let alone just random people, I’m only capable of rather basic things now, but changing a tube? That’s easy even for me. > >> Some even can't inflate a tire. I guess these people expect a bicycle >> to work similar to a modern car: Do not touch anything except the >> handlebar/steering wheel, pedals and brakes and visit the dealer's >> workshop if an indicator light comes on. > > Another tale, told to me last week by one of our best friends. She goes > several times per week to a place where she does strength exercises. > treadmill in winter, etc. Two older men (um, younger than me, I'm sure!) > who are frequently there talk to her about their avid bicycle riding - > but only back and forth on one local rail-trail. (!) > > Anyway, last week one was making fun of the other. Why? Because he had > gone out for his usual solo ride and had a flat on the trail. His buddy > was teasing him because he had to walk his bike seven miles to get back > to his car. > > My friend was astonished, and said she told them "I can't believe you > don't carry a spare tube!" She asked me "Are there really people who say > they're bicyclists but can't fix a flat?" > > Apparently the answer is yes. > Roger Merriman