Knowing how to fix a puncture (also called a flat) is an essential skill. Especially important if you like riding longer distances. It’s all about being independent, self-sufficient and learning how to handle basic DIY maintenance on your bicycle.

Being able to handle punctures is even more important on long rides and if you’re into the wonderful world of bicycle touring as it’s unlikely that you’ll have access to any bike shop on your route.

THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO FIX A PUNCTURE

  1. Handpump
  2. Tire Levers
  3. Puncture Kit
  4. A Spare Tube
How to fix a flat

SOME TIPS TO MAKE PUNCTURE FIXING FUN!

1. It’s always important to give this a shot once at home. Once you learn the basics, doing the same on the ride is quite simple. Learning this on the ride for the first time can be frustrating for you as well as your riding buddies.

2. Remember to carry a spare tube. Not all punctures can be fixed or are worth fixing on the go. It’s also a lot more convenient to fix a puncture at home vs on the side of the road.

3. Make sure the glue in your patch kit is not dried up. We’ve faced countless situations when a rider whips out their patch kit to discover that the patch glue has all dried up. No fun!

4. Pump up the fixed tube (or a new tube) slightly before you pop it back into the tire. This will avoid pinch flats.

5. Use sensitive skin to quickly discover where the tube is punctured. Lips are highly sensitive and can quickly discover the location.

6. Carry a small chalk/maker in your saddlebag. This will enable you to mark the location of the puncture so that you don’t lose it when you deflate the tire to mend it.

SHOP PUNCTURE REPAIR TOOLS

There you go. Discovering a flat is always a – OH NO – moment for the entire group. But these tips should enable you to quickly rock the scene and be up and riding super fast.

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About the Author

Shaun George

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CYCLING I'm an avid mountain biker and I like riding fast and flowy singletrack. As I keep riding, I continuously work on honing my riding skills. I like to ride whenever possible, especially with friends. I also like to influence folk into getting to ride more often. Working on bicycles has also been a keen interest of mine for quite some time. DISCIPLINE: Mountain biking and Road biking CURRENT BIKE: Merida One Twenty 9.600 & Specialized Allez Elite DSW DREAM BIKE: Santa Cruz 5010

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