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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
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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