Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
--------------------
Still haven't put the wheel back on, and I want to ride to
Mary Anne's Place tomorrow.
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
What was predicted to be a good day for riding turned out to
be a good day for hanging out laundry. I'd hoped to dash to
Kroger for potatoes, but after hanging sheets in a cold
wind, spending half an hour dressing for a fifteen-minute
ride didn't sound like much fun.
On 2025-03-27, Joy Beeson <jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid> wrote:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
It's kind of nice to know it was not a nail, I guess.
I think my last flat was a base of valve failure, too.
Pureheart in Aptos
--------------------
Still haven't put the wheel back on, and I want to ride to
Mary Anne's Place tomorrow.
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
What was predicted to be a good day for riding turned out to
be a good day for hanging out laundry. I'd hoped to dash to
Kroger for potatoes, but after hanging sheets in a cold
wind, spending half an hour dressing for a fifteen-minute
ride didn't sound like much fun.
On 2025-03-27, Joy Beeson <jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid> wrote:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
It's kind of nice to know it was not a nail, I guess.
I think my last flat was a base of valve failure, too.
Pureheart in Aptos
--------------------
Still haven't put the wheel back on, and I want to ride to
Mary Anne's Place tomorrow.
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
What was predicted to be a good day for riding turned out to
be a good day for hanging out laundry. I'd hoped to dash to
Kroger for potatoes, but after hanging sheets in a cold
wind, spending half an hour dressing for a fifteen-minute
ride didn't sound like much fun.
Quite common.
Often caused by riding at low pressures. The tire squirms
with each revolution and creeps backward on the rim. Which
is not significant to a tubeless system (although extremely
low pressures also introduce extreme flexing of sidewalls
and eventually shred the fabric). With an inner tube
however, the tube creeps until there's excess tube material
in front of the valve, often bunched up and folded over
itself. Behind the valve, the tube is stretched thin and
prone to failure.
Some rim cross sections (notably but not only single-wall
KinLin) have an extremely deep and narrow center section,
well below the bead seat. That makes tire changing easier
but the tube does not easily conform to that shape and tears
at or near the valve area.
And there can be other issues such as broken rim liner,
misplaced rim liner, longish spokes or sharp burrs on
nipples from automated wheelbuilding, wrong type of rim
liner etc.
When a valve tear is seen, check the pressure in the other
tire. Most often it's low.
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:01:05 -0400, Joy Beeson
<jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid> wrote:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
Not old age, but more likely the effects of exposure to chlorine which
can harden and crack rubber.
Multiple articles on the effects of chlorine on rubber: <https://www.google.com/search?q=chlorine%20damage%20rubber>
Thanks to water chlorination, all the rubber seals and faucet gaskets
in my house last about 25 years. Over the years, I've seen a few
damaged rubber valve stems on cars and bicycles stored near clothes
washing and swimming pool chlorination machinery. The bleach (sodium hypochlorite) used in washing condenses on everything and eventually
hardens rubber compounds.
The good news is that it takes many years for the rubber to harden and
crack. Viton(FKM) fluorocarbon rubber seals are a big improvement: <https://www.marcorubber.com/chemical-compatibility/BLEACH%20SOLUTIONS>
I have NOT found any bicycle inner tubes or valve stems made from
Viton(FKM): <https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Viton%22%20bicycle%20tire%20valve%20stems>
However, one can buy blue Viton (FKM) valve cores for about $2/ea: <https://schrader-pacific.com/wp-content/uploads/Valve-Core.pdf>
Am Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:01:05 -0400 schrieb Joy Beeson <jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid>:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now
an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning,
a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but
not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop. On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later. Nowadays, when doing
long tours throughout the region, I still carry a tube, but haven't had
a need for it, so far. Perhaps I have better chances to avoid punctures because I avoid so called "bicycle infrastructure", but perhaps the
tubeless tires plus sealant are just working.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
As Andrew said, perhaps not enough pressure. That was my first
reaction, too.
Am Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:01:05 -0400 schrieb Joy Beeson <jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid>:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now
an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning,
a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but
not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop. On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later. Nowadays, when doing
long tours throughout the region, I still carry a tube, but haven't had
a need for it, so far. Perhaps I have better chances to avoid punctures because I avoid so called "bicycle infrastructure", but perhaps the
tubeless tires plus sealant are just working.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
As Andrew said, perhaps not enough pressure. That was my first
reaction, too.
On 4/1/2025 3:02 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:01:05 -0400, Joy Beeson
<jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid> wrote:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
Not old age, but more likely the effects of exposure to chlorine which
can harden and crack rubber.
Multiple articles on the effects of chlorine on rubber:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=chlorine%20damage%20rubber>
Thanks to water chlorination, all the rubber seals and faucet gaskets
in my house last about 25 years. Over the years, I've seen a few
damaged rubber valve stems on cars and bicycles stored near clothes
washing and swimming pool chlorination machinery. The bleach (sodium
hypochlorite) used in washing condenses on everything and eventually
hardens rubber compounds.
The good news is that it takes many years for the rubber to harden and
crack. Viton(FKM) fluorocarbon rubber seals are a big improvement:
<https://www.marcorubber.com/chemical-compatibility/BLEACH%20SOLUTIONS>
I have NOT found any bicycle inner tubes or valve stems made from
Viton(FKM):
<https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Viton%22%20bicycle%20tire%20valve%20stems>
However, one can buy blue Viton (FKM) valve cores for about $2/ea:
<https://schrader-pacific.com/wp-content/uploads/Valve-Core.pdf>
While I don't doubt you regarding chlorine (and both ozone
and UV also degrade the rubber in our tires/tubes), the base
of a bicycle tube valve has absolutely minimal exposure. A
mechanical cause (abrasion, rim liner issues, low pressure)
is much more probable.
On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 15:37:12 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
On 4/1/2025 3:02 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:01:05 -0400, Joy Beeson
<jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid> wrote:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
Not old age, but more likely the effects of exposure to chlorine which
can harden and crack rubber.
Multiple articles on the effects of chlorine on rubber:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=chlorine%20damage%20rubber>
Thanks to water chlorination, all the rubber seals and faucet gaskets
in my house last about 25 years. Over the years, I've seen a few
damaged rubber valve stems on cars and bicycles stored near clothes
washing and swimming pool chlorination machinery. The bleach (sodium
hypochlorite) used in washing condenses on everything and eventually
hardens rubber compounds.
The good news is that it takes many years for the rubber to harden and
crack. Viton(FKM) fluorocarbon rubber seals are a big improvement:
<https://www.marcorubber.com/chemical-compatibility/BLEACH%20SOLUTIONS>
I have NOT found any bicycle inner tubes or valve stems made from
Viton(FKM):
<https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Viton%22%20bicycle%20tire%20valve%20stems>
However, one can buy blue Viton (FKM) valve cores for about $2/ea:
<https://schrader-pacific.com/wp-content/uploads/Valve-Core.pdf>
While I don't doubt you regarding chlorine (and both ozone
and UV also degrade the rubber in our tires/tubes), the base
of a bicycle tube valve has absolutely minimal exposure. A
mechanical cause (abrasion, rim liner issues, low pressure)
is much more probable.
Ok, I yield to superior experience. Mechanical cause is probably a
more likely explanation, but I have my doubts. The best I can offer
is one anecdote to reinforce my claim.
During the 1970's, I was acting manager for my father's 13 unit
apartment building in North Hollyweird. Among my duties was
maintaining several washing machines and dryers. They were located in
an enclosed underground garage along with parking for about 5 cars, 2 motorcycles and about 5 bicycles (including mine). There were also
some overhead storage cabinets for noxious, toxic and dangerous things
the tenants didn't want inside the apartments. Inside the cabinets, I
also stored two new in the box Nashbar inner tubes. I didn't use
these tubes and took them with me when I moved to Pomona. After about
3 years, I needed a tube and found that the valve stem had cracked in
several places. I opened the other box and found that it had the same problem. I didn't think about any of this at the time and just bought replacement inner tubes.
I later realized that the only valve stems that had cracked were those
near the laundry equipment and storage chemicals. However, a had
another inner tube stuffed into my "stuff bag" that I carried under my saddle. There was no sign of any cracking. It was the same vintage,
age and (Nashbar) type tube. However, because I kept my stuff back in
the apartment, it hadn't been exposed to the laundry chemicals.
I have my doubts about mechanical causes. I can see one tire low on
air, experiencing abrasion damage or have liner issues. However,
these problems would probably affect only one wheel, not both.
On 4/1/2025 4:30 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 15:37:12 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
On 4/1/2025 3:02 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:01:05 -0400, Joy Beeson
<jbeeson@invalid.net.invalid> wrote:
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
On Saturday, I came out of Aldi to find my front tire flat.
On Monday, I walked to the Trailhouse and handed the wheel
to the mechanic with instructions to put in a new tube and
find out what had happened to the old one.
He showed me a crack at the base of the valve stem. The
tube had died of old age!
Not old age, but more likely the effects of exposure to chlorine which >>>> can harden and crack rubber.
Multiple articles on the effects of chlorine on rubber:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=chlorine%20damage%20rubber>
Thanks to water chlorination, all the rubber seals and faucet gaskets
in my house last about 25 years. Over the years, I've seen a few
damaged rubber valve stems on cars and bicycles stored near clothes
washing and swimming pool chlorination machinery. The bleach (sodium
hypochlorite) used in washing condenses on everything and eventually
hardens rubber compounds.
The good news is that it takes many years for the rubber to harden and >>>> crack. Viton(FKM) fluorocarbon rubber seals are a big improvement:
<https://www.marcorubber.com/chemical-compatibility/BLEACH%20SOLUTIONS> >>>> I have NOT found any bicycle inner tubes or valve stems made from
Viton(FKM):
<https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Viton%22%20bicycle%20tire%20valve%20stems>
However, one can buy blue Viton (FKM) valve cores for about $2/ea:
<https://schrader-pacific.com/wp-content/uploads/Valve-Core.pdf>
While I don't doubt you regarding chlorine (and both ozone
and UV also degrade the rubber in our tires/tubes), the base
of a bicycle tube valve has absolutely minimal exposure. A
mechanical cause (abrasion, rim liner issues, low pressure)
is much more probable.
Ok, I yield to superior experience. Mechanical cause is probably a
more likely explanation, but I have my doubts. The best I can offer
is one anecdote to reinforce my claim.
During the 1970's, I was acting manager for my father's 13 unit
apartment building in North Hollyweird. Among my duties was
maintaining several washing machines and dryers. They were located in
an enclosed underground garage along with parking for about 5 cars, 2
motorcycles and about 5 bicycles (including mine). There were also
some overhead storage cabinets for noxious, toxic and dangerous things
the tenants didn't want inside the apartments. Inside the cabinets, I
also stored two new in the box Nashbar inner tubes. I didn't use
these tubes and took them with me when I moved to Pomona. After about
3 years, I needed a tube and found that the valve stem had cracked in
several places. I opened the other box and found that it had the same
problem. I didn't think about any of this at the time and just bought
replacement inner tubes.
I later realized that the only valve stems that had cracked were those
near the laundry equipment and storage chemicals. However, a had
another inner tube stuffed into my "stuff bag" that I carried under my
saddle. There was no sign of any cracking. It was the same vintage,
age and (Nashbar) type tube. However, because I kept my stuff back in
the apartment, it hadn't been exposed to the laundry chemicals.
I have my doubts about mechanical causes. I can see one tire low on
air, experiencing abrasion damage or have liner issues. However,
these problems would probably affect only one wheel, not both.
Right, even in a box it has more exposure than under a tire,
inside a rim, with no ambient air contacting the tube.
Regarding local contamination, we once received a complaint
from a customer about his new tubulars whose tread was
cracked in an alligator skin pattern. We replaced them but
had no idea what was happening. The replacements did the
same thing.
As it turns out he had only recently refurbished his old
bike, bought our tires and started riding to work. He found
a convenient parking spot near a huge electric motor, a
plentiful ozone source.
On 4/1/2025 2:19 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now
an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning,
a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but
not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop.
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a >selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests.
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the >contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel,
remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the
tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the
best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik
Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic
tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less
than a minute, IIRC.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the >necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she >needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that
it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
On Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:02:53 -0400, Catrike Ryder
<Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/1/2025 2:19 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now >>>> an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning, >>>> a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but >>>> not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop.
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a >>>selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests. >>>
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the >>>contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel, >>>remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the >>>tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the >>>best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik >>>Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic >>>tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less >>>than a minute, IIRC.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the >>>necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she >>>needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>>it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare >>>tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even if that last anecdote was true, which I doubt, what was your
point in posting it? It's not as though there's anyone on RBT who
doesn't know about the different types of tire valves and how to pick
the correct connection head.
Oh wait... I know.... it was another of your pathetic "look at me"
posts, this one, an attempt to convince RBT members that sometimes
people do accept your advice.
Well, well. First we had the Straw Man and now we have the Straw
Woman... and maybe next week Straw Kids? A whole Straw Family?
On 4/1/2025 2:19 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now
an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning,
a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but
not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop.
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a >selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests.
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the >contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel,
remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the
tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the
best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik
Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic
tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less
than a minute, IIRC.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the >necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she >needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that
it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
On 4/1/2025 2:19 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I
got a flat now
an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and
continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than
seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions,
sunny morning,
a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire
that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture
and, last but
not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop.
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our
bike club put on a family-themed event in our local large
metropark. Besides a selection of rides there was a big
picnic with multiple games and contests.
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube
patching, but the contestants had to start with a deflated
front tire; remove the wheel, remove the tube from the tire,
re-install the tube and tire, pump the tire up to an
acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days), install
the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still)
considered the best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall,
it was back when "Quik Sticks" were new on the market, which
gave him an advantage over classic tire irons; but it was
still impressive to watch. He did the job in less than a
minute, IIRC.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my
shop, with the necessary tools (including dowels for sanding
anvils) all ready to go.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain
bike, unused for five years, so she can begin riding to
work. She told me she needed new inner tubes because the old
ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't
recognize that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave
her tire irons, taught her how to change a tube, and advised
on buying the proper pump and a spare tube, checked over the
rest of the bike, etc.
Am Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400 schrieb Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>:
On 4/1/2025 2:19 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now
an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning,
a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but
not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop.
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a
selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests. >>
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the
contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel,
remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the
tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the
best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik
Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic
tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less
than a minute, IIRC.
Impossible, when using a Rema TipTop patching set from that time. Those
sold nowadays are advertised with "there is no need to wait until the
SVS vulcanization fluid dries because the inner tube patch can be fitted immediately after the coat of fluid has been applied". Those sets from twenty or more years ago recommended to wait about five minutes before applying the patch to the prepared tube. The applied contact adhesive
had to be dry before the patch was pressed on; the higher the contact pressure, the better the patch held.
<https://www.bike-discount.de/en/rema-tip-top-repair-kit-tt-04>
On a hot day in summer, half as much was good enough. But no way to
complete the whole process including patching in less then five minutes.
This is because the necessary roughening and cleaning of the tube with sandpaper also takes time.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the
necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
Sure. But sometimes, you have to patch on the road, for example when you
get a second flat and don't carry a another tube. Happened to me a few
years ago.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she
needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that
it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even around here, where almost every child or adult is able to ride a
bicycle and does it at least now and then, the majority seems to become unable doing even the simplest repairs. Even here in Germany, where
almost every child or adult is able to ride a bike and does so at least occasionally, the majority no longer seem to be able to carry out even
the simplest repairs. For example, replacing a light bulb on a rear
light or adjusting the head lamp.
Some even can't inflate a tire. I guess these people expect a bicycle
to work similar to a modern car: Do not touch anything except the handlebar/steering wheel, pedals and brakes and visit the dealer's
workshop if an indicator light comes on. E-bikes have accelerated this unpleasant process considerably.
On Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:54:58 +0200, Wolfgang Strobl
<news51@mystrobl.de> wrote:
Am Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400 schrieb Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>:
On 4/1/2025 2:19 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Many years ago, when commuting each work day by bike, I got a flat now >>>> an then, too. Most often, I just patched the tube and continued my
commute. My record was something like a bit more than seven minutes,
from removing the tire to pumping up. Ideal conditions, sunny morning, >>>> a a clean place to do the repair, a somewhat soft tire that I could
remove with my bare hands, an easily found small puncture and, last but >>>> not least, a fresh repair kit from TipTop.
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a
selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests. >>>
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the
contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel,
remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the
tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the
best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik
Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic >>> tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less >>> than a minute, IIRC.
Impossible, when using a Rema TipTop patching set from that time. Those
sold nowadays are advertised with "there is no need to wait until the
SVS vulcanization fluid dries because the inner tube patch can be fitted
immediately after the coat of fluid has been applied". Those sets from
twenty or more years ago recommended to wait about five minutes before
applying the patch to the prepared tube. The applied contact adhesive
had to be dry before the patch was pressed on; the higher the contact
pressure, the better the patch held.
<https://www.bike-discount.de/en/rema-tip-top-repair-kit-tt-04>
On a hot day in summer, half as much was good enough. But no way to
complete the whole process including patching in less then five minutes.
This is because the necessary roughening and cleaning of the tube with
sandpaper also takes time.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the
necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
Sure. But sometimes, you have to patch on the road, for example when you
get a second flat and don't carry a another tube. Happened to me a few
years ago.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she
needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>> it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even around here, where almost every child or adult is able to ride a
bicycle and does it at least now and then, the majority seems to become
unable doing even the simplest repairs. Even here in Germany, where
almost every child or adult is able to ride a bike and does so at least
occasionally, the majority no longer seem to be able to carry out even
the simplest repairs. For example, replacing a light bulb on a rear
light or adjusting the head lamp.
Some even can't inflate a tire. I guess these people expect a bicycle
to work similar to a modern car: Do not touch anything except the
handlebar/steering wheel, pedals and brakes and visit the dealer's
workshop if an indicator light comes on. E-bikes have accelerated this
unpleasant process considerably.
In my youth the only type of bicycle we had were the single speed,
coaster brake, double top tube models and I reminder the first
"English Racing Bike" I saw. A student from Dartmouth Collage, a very,
very, up market school trying to inflate his tire at a gas station and
of course he couldn't as the old Tubular tires had a different air
hose attachment then an auto.
On Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:02:53 -0400, floriduh dumbass wrote: <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she
needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>> it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even if that last anecdote was true, which I doubt, what was your
point in posting it? It's not as though there's anyone on RBT who
doesn't know about the different types of tire valves and how to pick
the correct connection head.
Oh wait... I know.... it was another of your pathetic "look at me"
posts,
this one, an attempt to convince RBT members that sometimes
people do accept your advice.
On 4/2/2025 4:02 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she
needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>> it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even if that last anecdote was true, which I doubt, what was your
point in posting it?
It was just general conversation. And I thought some might be interested
that there are people who don't understand about two types of bicycle
tire valves, even while trying to pump.
(The woman is no dummy. She has
degrees in chemistry and physics and works in a very high tech
scientific laboratory. Different people know different things.)
You've told us how you stay away from other people as much as you can.
You've told us how you refuse to even return greetings from people on
your bike trail rides.
But people with fewer fears and inhibitions do have conversations just
for the fun of conversations.
What was your point in asking about it?
On 4/2/2025 7:54 AM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Am Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400 schrieb Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>:
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a
selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests. >>>
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the
contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel,
remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the
tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the
best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik
Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic >>> tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less >>> than a minute, IIRC.
Impossible, when using a Rema TipTop patching set from that time. Those
sold nowadays are advertised with "there is no need to wait until the
SVS vulcanization fluid dries because the inner tube patch can be fitted
immediately after the coat of fluid has been applied". Those sets from
twenty or more years ago recommended to wait about five minutes before
applying the patch to the prepared tube. The applied contact adhesive
had to be dry before the patch was pressed on; the higher the contact
pressure, the better the patch held.
Understood. Again, for the contest I described, there was no patching >involved. I suppose we could have made it slightly more realistic by
making the contestant use a replacement tube that was still in the box,
but we just had them remove the original tube entirely, then put it all
back together.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the
necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
Sure. But sometimes, you have to patch on the road, for example when you
get a second flat and don't carry a another tube. Happened to me a few
years ago.
Right. I remember one ride five to ten years ago when I had (I think)
three independent flats within about 15 miles.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she
needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>> it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even around here, where almost every child or adult is able to ride a
bicycle and does it at least now and then, the majority seems to become
unable doing even the simplest repairs.
Yes, and I think some people on this discussion group lose sight of the
fact that we are much different than almost all cyclists.
Some even can't inflate a tire. I guess these people expect a bicycle
to work similar to a modern car: Do not touch anything except the
handlebar/steering wheel, pedals and brakes and visit the dealer's
workshop if an indicator light comes on.
Another tale, told to me last week by one of our best friends. She goes >several times per week to a place where she does strength exercises. >treadmill in winter, etc. Two older men (um, younger than me, I'm sure!)
who are frequently there talk to her about their avid bicycle riding -
but only back and forth on one local rail-trail. (!)
Anyway, last week one was making fun of the other. Why? Because he had
gone out for his usual solo ride and had a flat on the trail. His buddy
was teasing him because he had to walk his bike seven miles to get back
to his car.
My friend was astonished, and said she told them "I can't believe you
don't carry a spare tube!" She asked me "Are there really people who say >they're bicyclists but can't fix a flat?"
Apparently the answer is yes.
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize
that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught
her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a
spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now.
Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did
some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's
seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter
kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15
years old.
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor >pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to
open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse
pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
On 4/2/2025 7:54 AM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:
Am Tue, 1 Apr 2025 23:20:38 -0400 schrieb Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>:
While it didn't involve patching a tube, many years ago our bike club
put on a family-themed event in our local large metropark. Besides a
selection of rides there was a big picnic with multiple games and contests. >>>
One game was a "flat fixing contest." Again, no tube patching, but the
contestants had to start with a deflated front tire; remove the wheel,
remove the tube from the tire, re-install the tube and tire, pump the
tire up to an acceptable pressure (around 100 psi in those days),
install the wheel and re-set the brakes.
The winner was the guy who was (and probably is still) considered the
best bike mechanic in our area. As I recall, it was back when "Quik
Sticks" were new on the market, which gave him an advantage over classic >>> tire irons; but it was still impressive to watch. He did the job in less >>> than a minute, IIRC.
Impossible, when using a Rema TipTop patching set from that time. Those
sold nowadays are advertised with "there is no need to wait until the
SVS vulcanization fluid dries because the inner tube patch can be fitted
immediately after the coat of fluid has been applied". Those sets from
twenty or more years ago recommended to wait about five minutes before
applying the patch to the prepared tube. The applied contact adhesive
had to be dry before the patch was pressed on; the higher the contact
pressure, the better the patch held.
Understood. Again, for the contest I described, there was no patching involved. I suppose we could have made it slightly more realistic by
making the contestant use a replacement tube that was still in the box,
but we just had them remove the original tube entirely, then put it all
back together.
On other occasions, I just
mounted a new tube and patched at home, later.
That's my standard procedure. It's so much easier in my shop, with the
necessary tools (including dowels for sanding anvils) all ready to go.
Sure. But sometimes, you have to patch on the road, for example when you
get a second flat and don't carry a another tube. Happened to me a few
years ago.
Right. I remember one ride five to ten years ago when I had (I think)
three independent flats within about 15 miles.
BTW, last week I helped a young woman resurrect her mountain bike,
unused for five years, so she can begin riding to work. She told me she
needed new inner tubes because the old ones wouldn't hold air.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize that >>> it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught her
how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a spare
tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Even around here, where almost every child or adult is able to ride a
bicycle and does it at least now and then, the majority seems to become
unable doing even the simplest repairs.
Yes, and I think some people on this discussion group lose sight of the
fact that we are much different than almost all cyclists.
Some even can't inflate a tire. I guess these people expect a bicycle
to work similar to a modern car: Do not touch anything except the
handlebar/steering wheel, pedals and brakes and visit the dealer's
workshop if an indicator light comes on.
Another tale, told to me last week by one of our best friends. She goes several times per week to a place where she does strength exercises. treadmill in winter, etc. Two older men (um, younger than me, I'm sure!)
who are frequently there talk to her about their avid bicycle riding -
but only back and forth on one local rail-trail. (!)
Anyway, last week one was making fun of the other. Why? Because he had
gone out for his usual solo ride and had a flat on the trail. His buddy
was teasing him because he had to walk his bike seven miles to get back
to his car.
My friend was astonished, and said she told them "I can't believe you
don't carry a spare tube!" She asked me "Are there really people who say they're bicyclists but can't fix a flat?"
Apparently the answer is yes.
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize
that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a
spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now.
Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did
some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's
seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter
kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15
years old.
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor
pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to
open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse
pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad
--
C'est bon
Soloman
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize
that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a
spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now.
Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did
some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's
seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter
kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15
years old.
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor
pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to
open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse
pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad
--
C'est bon
Soloman
abuse and neglect.On 2 Apr 2025 17:28:30 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize
that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a >>>>> spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now. >>>
some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's
seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter >>> kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15
years old.
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor >>> pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to
open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse
pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad
--
C'est bon
Soloman
I had one of those few years back, found it worse of both worlds, as it >wasn’t small enough to fit in a saddle bag or so on, but also not a good as
a proper track pump.
I bought it for traveling I guess one of the electric pumps would make
sense for that sort of use now?
Roger Merriman
On 4/2/2025 1:28 PM, Roger Merriman wrote:
Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize >>>>>> that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a >>>>>> spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now. >>>>
some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's >>>> seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter >>>> kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15
years old.
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor >>>> pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to >>>> open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse >>>> pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad
--
C'est bon
Soloman
I had one of those few years back, found it worse of both worlds, as it
wasn’t small enough to fit in a saddle bag or so on, but also not a good as
a proper track pump.
I bought it for traveling I guess one of the electric pumps would make
sense for that sort of use now?
I tend to stay away from needlessly electrified stuff. I bought a new
tire gage at my usual LBS a couple days ago. The owner (a friend of
mine) suggested a fancy electronic one. Nope!
abuse and neglect.On 2 Apr 2025 17:28:30 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize >>>>>> that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a >>>>>> spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now. >>>>
some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's >>>> seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter >>>> kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15
years old.
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor >>>> pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to >>>> open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse >>>> pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad
--
C'est bon
Soloman
I had one of those few years back, found it worse of both worlds, as it
wasnÂ’t small enough to fit in a saddle bag or so on, but also not a good as >> a proper track pump.
I bought it for traveling I guess one of the electric pumps would make
sense for that sort of use now?
Roger Merriman
I love it. The fold out foot pad makes all the difference in the
world. Mine came with a bracket to attach to a bike frame, but I carry
it in a special tube sewn into my Catrike's seat. I carry a standing
hand pump (also a Topeak) in my truck, so the mini pump is only for
flats when I'm out riding.
--
C'est bon
Soloman
Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 1:28 PM, Roger Merriman wrote:They have been around for few decades haven’t they? Is a Topeak one that
Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did >>>>> some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's >>>>> seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter >>>>> kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15 >>>>> years old.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize >>>>>>> that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>>>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a >>>>>>> spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now. >>>>>
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor >>>>> pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to >>>>> open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse >>>>> pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad >>>>
--
C'est bon
Soloman
I had one of those few years back, found it worse of both worlds, as it
wasn’t small enough to fit in a saddle bag or so on, but also not a good as >>> a proper track pump.
I bought it for traveling I guess one of the electric pumps would make
sense for that sort of use now?
I tend to stay away from needlessly electrified stuff. I bought a new
tire gage at my usual LBS a couple days ago. The owner (a friend of
mine) suggested a fancy electronic one. Nope!
runs on coin batteries, I found the batteries had gone flat by time I’d got >around to using it, was when I did more traveling by plane with bike so
space and weight was at a premium, with one of the non gauge equipped Morph >pumps. I disliked both!
But I do get that for folks who do it frequently that a small battery >equipped pump with a gauge is quite a need solution to flying with a track >pump.
I’m not that usecase as I tend to travel with bike in the estate car so
loads of room for the track pump that I know how it works and so on.
Roger Merriman
Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
abuse and neglect.On 2 Apr 2025 17:28:30 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:23:24 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
On 4/2/2025 8:34 AM, AMuzi wrote:
On 4/1/2025 10:20 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:Huh. My only mini pump is the one I carry on my folding bike. (I did >>>>> some minor filing on the pump head to allow it to fit inside the bike's >>>>> seat tube.) Anyway, it's got only a Presta head, with an oddball adapter >>>>> kept inside its handle to inflate Schrader. I'm guessing it's 10 - 15 >>>>> years old.
Turns out she'd borrowed a Schrader mini pump. She didn't recognize >>>>>>> that it didn't fit her Presta valves. So I gave her tire irons, taught >>>>>>> her how to change a tube, and advised on buying the proper pump and a >>>>>>> spare tube, checked over the rest of the bike, etc.
Pumps with single valve format (i.e., not reversible) are very old now. >>>>>
Before I visited the young lady I mentioned, I suggested she buy a floor >>>>> pump, which she did. Dual head made of plastic, but the Presta head
seemed very difficult to properly clamp on the valve. And the (once
replaced) head on my own floor pump is getting dodgy as well. I need to >>>>> open it and see what's gone wrong. I suppose there are better and worse >>>>> pump heads on the market, but I don't know which are which.
https://www.modernbike.com/topeak-mini-morph-g-frame-pump-with-foot-pad >>>>
--
C'est bon
Soloman
I had one of those few years back, found it worse of both worlds, as it
wasn?t small enough to fit in a saddle bag or so on, but also not a good as >>> a proper track pump.
I bought it for traveling I guess one of the electric pumps would make
sense for that sort of use now?
Roger Merriman
I love it. The fold out foot pad makes all the difference in the
world. Mine came with a bracket to attach to a bike frame, but I carry
it in a special tube sewn into my Catrike's seat. I carry a standing
hand pump (also a Topeak) in my truck, so the mini pump is only for
flats when I'm out riding.
--
C'est bon
Soloman
I think I still have it in the panniers of the commute bike or similar, but >there I have loads of space, and punctures are relatively rare and the mini >pumps I have are fine for that.
Nor from memory was the Morph much better much more mini pump than track >pump, so I just didn’t see the point really I have different mini pumps for >different bikes as some such as the MTB are low psi but large volume so
need to shift a lot of air.
Roger Merriman
He did the job in less
than a minute, IIRC.
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