We all get flats from time to time. Not fun when they happen - so here are some tips to handle getting a flat on a ride with clincher tires using an inner tube and some items to have in your seat bag so you can get home.
Find the stem, get to the root
Riding on chip-sealed roads vibrates everyone's bikes including presta valve stem cores. If you have a really slow-leak always check the two-piece presta valve core has not vibrated loose. I carry a special tool that allows you to remove the valve from the stem to replace or put on an extension if you are using a deep dish rim.
Once you have the tube out you need to locate the hole and clear out the cause of the flat. It’s a common practice to mount your tire so the brand name is at the valve stem hole. This makes it easier use the clock method to mark the position of the hole.
Obviously if you pump up the tube first and you can hear the air hissing out that’s the easiest to deal with. Make sure you note the hole was at the 3 o’clock or the opposite 9 o’clock position for example. If the traffic noise or wind is too loud and you can’t hear anything you can run your finger on the inside of your tire casing and see if you feel anything. At some point you will cut yourself using this method.
A better option is if your tire bead and rim fit well together you can just take the tire off completely. Turn it inside out and that way you can see the cause right away and you can install a boot (covered below).
If you don’t clear out the cause it’s strong chance you will repeat your flat a few miles down the road and do it all over again. Better to be slow and get it right the first time.
If you're having a hard time getting the final five or six inches of tire bead over the rim lip, you can periodically take your hands and press/tilt the opposite side bead into hook on the rim. Do an entire lap or two around the entire rim periodically. This will decrease the amount of tension on the other side allowing you finish the repair.
Before you inflate the tube pinch the tire to reveal the rim tape on both sides and make you don’t see any tube showing. If you do gently press it under the beading using a tire lever end and push the tire away from the rim at the time.
Water Submersion Test
Fill a basin or bucket with water and submerge the tube in it to find the air bubbles coming out of the hole.
Making boots and keep them in your seat bag
Make a simple boot for holes smaller than an 1/8". Use double-sided carpet tape and put it on old clincher tire side casing. Or, if you have access to sew-up or tubular tire, peel the base tape covering the stitching that is glued to the rim off the tire. And cut a 2” long strip and put the tape on it. I keep 3 or 4 of these in my wallet in case another rider needs them.
Make a simple boot for holes larger than an 1/8" or slashed tire. Use an old clincher or sew up tire and cut a 2” long section in the round direction and trim back from the bead about a 1/4” back and keep it in your seat bag. When the time comes slide the section over the cut tire and it treat the same way to get the bead over the rim and pump it up. No carpet tape required as the size of the boot and air pressure will keep it in place. In this case you will likely need to replace the tire.
Grab a roll of duct tape and double layer it and make a section about 1” square and locate the small hole like a thorn, staple, or gravel cut and paste on from the inside. That way your tire will last longer and not introduce new debris causing another flat.
Or you can roll a few inches of duct tape around a tire lever or the backside of your phone and do this fix on the road.
If you have a hand pump check it periodically to make sure it works. You don’t want to find out it doesn't work on a ride! There are also battery-operated air compressors on the market if you chose to go that route instead of a pump or CO2 cartridge.
Items to add to your seat bag
For flat tires, I alway carry two inner tubes, spare valve extenders, a CO2 cartridge and a patch kit with 5 or 6 patches. Several options for patch kits include peel and stick with no gluing required.
It’s important to use the abrasive tool or sandpaper to roughen up the hole area slight large than the patch. Clean the area and then press on the patch and then burnish it in using a tire lever. If you have never used patches before, practice on some tubes at home until you feel confident in your skills.
Tube storage tips
Make sure you have the plastic cap on the stem so the sharp end of the stem does not chafe on the tube and puncture it due to vibration. Take a sandwich bag large enough to fit your rolled up spare tube and sprinkle a little bit of baby powder. Inflate the tube so it barely gets round, and the powder will make it easier to slip the tube inside the tire.
Carry a CO2 cartridge with a tire inflator in case your pump fails or if you are in hurry to get going. Remember that when you puncture the cartridge the casing gets very cold. Make sure you have a rubber or vinyl sleeve over it and don't let touch your skin and freeze burn it.
Help is on the way
And I know if you have a cell phone none of this matters as you can just call for help. But it’s always a good idea to be self-sufficient to give you confidence that you can solve any issue on your own or help another rider.