Emergency Flat Repair:

A field guide for flat repairs in emergency situations.

Welcome friends to the "Emergency Flat Repair" section of Get-Into-Cycling.com. In this section we will cover simple tips and techniques you can use to repair a flat tires with little more than your "scout knife" and some common sense (well, maybe a few other items as well)......

"Oh no!?! That was my last one!!!!!!"

There you are, riding your bicycle on a beautiful early morning, with your pals. And then, the unfortunate happens, you get a flat. But, that's okay, because you are prepared. You have all the tools and gadgets you need to fixed that flat, right? After all, you read the section about changing tubes on Get-Into-Cycling.com anyways, so you're ready!

Now let's say, you've fixed the flat and once again, you're back on the road enjoying the beautiful scenery and the company of your friends. Everything's alright, right? But all of a sudden, as you are reaching for that nice, cold beverage we call "water," you hear that all too familiar sound of a "pop" followed by a "hissing," which could only mean one thing, you have another flat.

But not to worry, because you are prepared to fix that flat, right? WRONG! You just used your last patch on the previous flat AND you don't have any spare tubes. Now what do you do? You could ask one of your friends if they have a tube, but what if they don't, or worse, how about if you're riding alone????? Well fortunately, there are ways to get around this dilemma. Here are some suggestions we've seen, done and, also, read about for emergency flat repair:

-You can stuff your tires with leaves, grass, twigs, clothing or rags. Depending on the size of your tires will determine what you can actually stuff into them. So be reasonable. For example, obviously, you're not going to stuff your jacket into a thin road tire. Additionally, when using leaves, grass or twigs, be advised that every few miles, you will need to stuff more of these things into the tires as they will flatten over the miles. As annoying as this is, at least it will get you home.

-You can tie a knot on the tube. Depending on the damage & size of the tube, you can either tie the knot at the point of the flat or if the damage is too large or if the tire is too thin, then cut the tube in half at the point of the puncture and tie the ends of the tube off. This will make the ride of your bike annoying, but it will at allow you to ride your bike instead of walk.

-If you are near an automotive store, department store or even better, a bike shop, they might carry tire repair kits or tubes.

-If the auto store does not carry patch kits, look for a tire sealant repair spray. This is an excellent remedy, especially if you get multiple punctures. If your tube has a presta valve, make sure you carry an adaptor you can use as these sealant sprays are designed for schrader (automobile-style) valves.

-Bring or purchase duct tape or cloth medical-grade tape. Wrap it numerous times around the puncture. This, too, may lose air pressure over time, but it will save you miles of walking.

This emergency flat repair guide is simply that, a guide for emergencies. Although there are many other way that you could probably think of especially during times of crisis, it would always be a good idea to always check your equipment carefully and to prepare for the unthinkable.

Also, when riding with a group, make sure that all the member of your group are well prepared for their individual bicycles. If you are always ready, then you may never need to use this emergency flat repair guide. But, it's good to know that there are alternatives for fixing flats. And don't forget to help your fellow cyclist if you happen to run into someone who has a flat. They'll appreciate it and who knows, they may be helping you next time when you're in a jam.

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