How to Avoid the Puncture Curse

We've all been there. The sun's out, you're full of energy and enthusiasm, go to get your bike only to find that one of the tyres is completely flat. Changing it doesn't just take time from your ride but also dents your initial enthusiasm. Unfortunately, punctures are an aspect of cycling, like going up hills, riding into a head wind or having a chain come off, which every rider has to deal with at some point. In this article, we consider some of the ways in which you can avoid getting those punctures in the first place.

 APOLOGIES FOR LACK OF PHOTOS IN THIS POST. BLOGGER SEEMS UNABLE TO IMPORT PHOTOS AT PRESENT INTO THIS BLOG.

Punctures can happen at any time and it's a good idea for any cyclist, novice or more experienced, to be clear about the process of dealing with it. Here are some instructions for how to mend a puncture:

 

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/insightzone/equipment_and_set_up/wheels_and_tyres/article/izn20130208-Fix-a-Flat-Tyre-0


And here's a couple of web addresses for you to watch.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vfy2WIZ6t0 (install new inner tube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntYIITLp90k (actually patch the inner tube)

 

But wouldn't it be easier if you could avoid getting that puncture in the first place? Here's a few suggestions to reduce your chances of blowing out:

 

1) Replace Old Tyres - Worn tyres are more likely to puncture than new ones so be prepared to replace old or balding tyres. Watch out for cracks, tears or worn down tread. As rear tyres take more wear than front tyres you may wish to swap them around to extend their lives. While many factors will affect the mileage you can do before needing to change tyres, for general sportive and other non racing uses, somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 miles seems standard.

 

2) Avoid Debris - When cycling, try to avoid areas of the road where gravel and other detritus lays. These areas often contain harmful items such as shards of glass (often visible when the sun reflects off them). As part of this general avoidance make sure you don't ride in the gutter of the road where rubbish can collect - this is good practice in general anyway. Equally, avoid obvious hazards such as potholes or kerbs which if ridden over or into can cause pinch punctures (or 'snakebites') where the inner tube is trapped between the wheel rim and the tyre causing a parallel tear. If riding in groups, make sure that the advanced riders clearly signal such obstructions to following riders. Take extra care in late Summer/Autumn when farmers are cutting hawthorn hedges, their spines often landing in the middle of the road.

 

3) Rub Off - If you do ride over debris and suspect there may be sharp elements in it, you may wish to hop off your bike and slightly skim the tyres with your hand, brushing off these items before they have a chance to embed themselves more deeply into the tyre and inner tube. This is good practice after a ride as well.

 

4) Buy Decent Tyres - As with most things in life, you get what you pay for and sometimes it's worth paying a little bit extra for tyres with decent Kevlar type lining which will aid protection against sharp items. Some tyres for road bikes include:

 

Specialised All Condition Armadillo - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/all-condition-armadillo-700c-road-tyre-ec001821

Continental Gatorskin - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/continental/gatorskin-700c-duraskin-wired-road-tyre-ec001745
 

Schwalbe Marathon - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-deluxe-evo-double-defence-road-tyre/
 

Bontrager AW2 Hard Case Lite - http://bontrager.com/model/10960
 

Vittoria Rubino - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-folding-clincher-tyre/
 

5) Correct Set Up - Be careful when you change the inner tube not to pinch the tube between the wheel and the tyre. You can do this by running your finger around the inside rim of the wheel. Also, before each ride make sure your tyre pressure is correct. As part of your preparation,  you may wish to try fitting inner tubes with sealant built into them - these seal the tyre such as Joes Self Sealing Tube -
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/no-flats-joe-s-self-sealing-inner-road-tube-2013/rp-prod83599?gclid=CPCqgOuS77sCFdLItAod9VsAMw
 

or Dr Sludge self sealing tyres http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dr-sludge-self-sealing-inner-26-tube/rp-prod7958 .
When you puncture the slime fills and then seals the hole, though reports on their efficacy are mixed.

 

6) Avoid Wet Weather - More punctures occur during the wet as water acts as a lubricant for foreign bodies needling their way into your tyre and then inner tube. Rain water also washes more debris into the main section of road which increases your chances of picking up a puncture. All this doesn't mean don't go out in the rain but it does mean take extra care when riding and clean your tyres upon your return.

 

Punctures are an unavoidable part of cycling, but knowing how to deal with them afterwards and avoiding them in the first place are key steps to making sure they don't ruin your enjoyment of being out on your bicycle.