Tubed puncture repair Off Road

[Hew]

I am looking for any advice I can get on how to repair a puncture in a tube off road. I can change a tyre in my garage at home so I am not too concerned with breaking the bead or with levering the tyre off and on. I carry a spare tube and leavers.
My first concern is that my green laner only has a sidestand. Is it possible to balance the bike or is it necessary to build some kind of make shift stand so that the wheel can be taken off.
The second is what type of pump is it usual to carry and how should it be carried.
So far I have been relying on luck and a back up plan of getting to a road and ringing the AA. I know enduro riders used to regularly repair punctures mid stage before mooses (?) became available.

 

[Timolgra]

Carry a 21" front tube rather than relying on just a puncture repair kit, but carry the repair kit as well. The 21" will also fit the rear at a push.

Also carry a mountain bike type small pump.

You can always find a rock or something to prop the bike up on.

Most people either have a bum bag, a bag which fixes on top of the front or rear mudguard or a small rucksack.

Tim

 

[Timpo]

Just ask...

I am looking for any advice I can get on how to repair a puncture in a tube off road.

Let's discuss it next time we meet.
Timpo.

 

[Hew]

Let's discuss it next time we meet.
Timpo.

Will do, I've just been fitting a new rear tyre and thought I'd ask when the knuckles were still raw.
Do mountain bikes have the same type of valves?

 

[Timolgra]

Do mountain bikes have the same type of valves?

Why else would I suggest carrying one

 

[Hew]

Why else would I suggest carrying one

I wasn't sure if I needed to get a special connector/adaptor to go with the pump but I know now.

 

[cookie]

My first concern is that my green laner only has a sidestand. Is it possible to balance the bike or is it necessary to build some kind of make shift stand so that the wheel can be taken off.

i just used to lay the bike down on the ground.

 

[Greg Masters]

I always carry:

• an 18" tube
• a 21" tube
• the requisite spanners for removing the wheel
• a pair of decent sized tyre levers
• rim protectors (it's being a bit precious, but they weigh next to nothing)
• A valve pull through thingy
• a thingy to stop the bead coming back across the rim
• a bicycle pump
• a puncture repair outfit

Some lanes are very long - you'd shag the tube/tyre/rim riding out and I certainly wouldn't want to push.



Greg

 

[earthmover]

[*]an 18" tube
[*]a 21" tube
[*]the requisite spanners for removing the wheel
[*]a pair of decent sized tyre levers
[*]rim protectors (it's being a bit precious, but they weigh next to nothing)
[*]A valve pull through thingy
[*]a thingy to stop the bead coming back across the rim
[*]a bicycle pump
[*]a puncture repair outfit
[/LIST]

Some lanes are very long - you'd shag the tube/tyre/rim riding out and I certainly wouldn't want to push.



Greg

I don't think rim protectors are necessary, my rims are more scarred through riding than tyre changing. The "valve pull through thingy" isn't needed if you push the valve through, then screw the retaining nut on (just remember to take it off again when you've inflated the tyre) I don't know what "the thingy to stop the bead coming back across the rim" is, so that isn't needed either. I take a couple of gas cylinders and an adaptor (like the BMW puncture repair kit, only cheaper ) to take the bulk of the inflation, with a MTB pump for final adjustments. I've never tried to repair a tube out on the trail, but I've met people that have, with varying degrees of sucess. As for running flats, I have finished a stage with a flat front tyre, the tube was fecked, but tyre and rim were fine. Paul ran half of Strata Florida in the Welsh with his rear tyre zip tied to the rim, and Andy fnished half of the Powys with an "Eco-mousse". He stuffed the tyre with grass when his spare tube punctured and carried on at race speed. Again, no damage to tyre or rim, smelt a bit funny though!
HTH
Mark