The weather is never too bad for cycling, right? That's what I tell myself as I head out for my 2-hour (sometimes 4 hours) afternoon jolly ride around the town. This leaves me feeling good, and I got used to this bike and enjoy shifting gears more, which makes ascending hilly areas a breeze. Icy roads have been a little tricky to ride on, but reducing the pressure in my tyres just a little bit gives me more traction with less skidding.
Lubes are needed for a more pleasurable ride!
It's frightening to see how fast my shiny 'new' bike could look like an old jalopy if neglected in this climate, and not only are the squeaks annoying, but rusty, stiff parts decrease my bike's performance.
WD-40 does the trick for removing and preventing rust on the handlebars and mirrors, but with the state seen in the photo above, I needed a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar to restore the mirrors and handlebar.
This chain oil that I got from the corner hardware store works well on my chain.
Despite being clueless about carrying out real repairs, I'm always tinkering with my bike, and sometimes I see my neighbours looking curious to see if my bike is broken or if I'm just being idle. It's just an old childhood habit that I can't seem to let go of.
There's never a good time for a flat tyre, and recently I was left stranded with a back wheel puncture. My first instinct was to dig out my receipt and ask for my money back, but I really love the bike and am eager to learn to carry out minor repairs, so I was frantically browsing YouTube tutorials.
This cogwheel was my biggest challenge in repairing my flat tyre because I didn't trust myself to re-install it afterwards, and at that moment I regretted not buying a quick-release back wheel.
Still, my pragmatic purchase of this secured cogwheel makes me less likely to have my back wheel stolen, so this was a great idea.
YouTube was useful, but I found the information too general, as I needed "an idiot's guide." So I contacted cyclist @nanixxx, with the hope that she'd have some rudimentary hacks on repairing the puncture without removing the wheel.
I'd highly recommend a foot pump over a handheld one because they are easier to use and come with a gauge, making it easier to inflate the tyre with the accurate psi as indicated required.
The cause of the puncture was not visible, so I got the tyre pumped up hard and was fooled into thinking that my problems were solved. But before I knew it, the wheel was slowly deflating and my confidence eroded.
I felt deflated without my bike for a few days because it was too bloody freezing, and I could not face standing outside, and it was pointless trying to work with numb fingers.
With little progress and feeling stuck, I rang the bike company, but I only got the automated service with a high quotation for puncture repairs.
So, I reached out for further expertise to the Cyclist community man himself, @friendlymoose, who restored my confidence by reassuring me that I could indeed repair the puncture without taking off the entire wheel by using the tyre lifter to gently ease the tyre away to get the tube out without removing the wheel.
When repairing a tyre in this shortcut method, it's important not to damage the tube with the tool, so I was diligent while applying a bit of pressure in grabbing the tyre away from the bike rim.
First step. Success, I thought!
This common trick of testing the tube in soap water to find the leak was easy and familiar to me. Finding the hole can be challenging, but using the soapy water forms bubbles wherever the leak is.
I kept my eyes keen on the hole and dried the tube off.
There's normally chalk in the repair kit for you to mark the hole and I did a guessing job at sanding down the area around the hole, to facilitate the absorption of the cement for the patch.
I was anxious, so I left this to dry for about 20 minutes before removing the extra plastic after the patch appeared set enough.
It looks messy because I mistakenly turned the patch the wrong way and had to reapply a new one to look like this. Also, I originally added an extra patch just to be certain, but when I corrected it, I used just the one sufficient patch.
Once it was tested and proven that there was only one hole in the tube, I carried out the crucial part of finding the foreign object that caused the puncture in the first place. I rubbed my fingers through the inside of the tyre, round and round in circles. However, this was limited since I was carrying out the puncture in this shortcut method of not removing the tyre. Needless to say, I failed to find the object, and I inserted the tube back into the tyre and pumped it to 60 psi. However, within a few minutes, there were bubbles at the side of the wheel hence; this 'idiot's guide."
Left feeling helpless, I walked to Halford's Bicycle Shop, where I purchased the bike. The shop attendants remembered me immediately, and I said, "Is my first puncture included in my bike purchase?" Yes! Replied the two guys.
I walked back home (45 minutes) for the bike, and handed it over to the expert.
With the bike jacked up on a rack, the bike mechanic removed the wheel before I had the chance to blink, and he removed the old tube, and found this nail in a jiffy.
The repair was out before I activated my camera.
I've cleared the shed to avoid a repeat, and I examine my tyres daily before going for a spin.:)
Isn't it great that you can turn to so many experts on Hive to help you, even though it didn't solve your problem, at least you know the help is there
So you walked 45 minutes into Halfords to ask them if they would repair your bike, 45 minutes back home, and 45 minutes back again with your bike? 🙃
Yes, it felt really good having the Hive connection. 😍
I thought of mrprofessor, then I realised that I hadn't seen him online in a while. I need to check in on him. It made me laugh though, one was in Havana, in the Caribbean and the other was in the Netherlands, a country that I love.
I kept watching the time zone knowing that nanixxx would message me if I dared to attempt the repairs.
I had not ridden for an entire week, I needed the exercise, and I'd be too frustrated if I got there with my bike and they quoted me a ridiculous price, and worst if told me I needed to wait a week (small shop in this town). Still, I regretted my decision 🙃🤣
🥺 This is precisely what the whole wheel has to be removed for in order to take out the inner tube and rubber and to be able to check the inside with patience.
Don't be discouraged and try to learn these basic things so that you don't have to pay money just for the fun of it.
🤗
Hey Nanixxx!😁
Yes, with the wheel off you can find everything immediately.
I hope I won't get another flat tyre any time soon, but I think I'll have the courage to remove it next time.
I love learning these new skills, and I know I'll enjoy bike maintenance more when the sun is shining.
I had some good laughs though:)))
Good for you for trying to fix it yourself. I've never fixed a punctured tyre myself. It looks challenging. It's nice that you had a back up plan that worked out. Did you watch how they removed the back wheel and reconnected it, for future?
That was my plan, but the 'expert' was done in the blink of an eye. I told him that I just activated my video. He said he was already done.
When the weather improves, I might remove it and try to connect it and get some practice 😂
My bike didn't have any gear when I was a little girl, but I did daily bike repairs daily. The difference was that I had no money to spend and found innovative ways to fix everything 😅😆
I see. Too fast.
That sounds risky to me lol 😅
I might forget that idea because the chain came off one day in the town, and it's the hardest chain I've ever flipped back on in my entire life. Not even my trike, which had a double chain was so difficult 😅
So low-tech soapy water is still the go-to for finding leaks 😁
Great work getting your puncture fixed, all good learning for the future. I was going to ask where you stored the bike because that's one of the issues for me at the caravan - it will have to be outside. It seems you have a shed?
The solution to rust was great, I'd never thought of using WD40!
Hey!
Thank you 😊
Yeah, it's unbelievable how fast they rust.
I'll be on the move away from the shed for a lengthy period. The bike will be stored on top of the boat. I have a bike cover for it, but I need to secure the bike properly and I don't want the cover to be too close to the chimney... so the bike will be exposed.
Spraying some WD-40 will help it. I hope it works for you too:)))
As is so often the case, posts on Hive inspire me to do something I've been meaning to do for ages. I've heard a rumour that slightly warmer weather is on its way, so I'll be getting the bike out of the garage and seeing what's what.
How do you manage to keep your head warm and wear a safety helmet?
Yes, I heard that warmer days are coming! Yesterday and today have been the brightest days in a long time. The constant wet grey days were starting to affect me, so I'm much happier now.
Ah, that's a good question. I always travel with both a hat and my helmet. If I go off the main roads onto long bike trails, then I sometimes switch into my hat.
Wearing helmets is not a strict law, but it's better to have one. I understand the challenge... I even loosened my helmet recently to get it over my hat:)))
😁
There is the story!
I think you really did well. You did manage to fix your inner tube yourself, which is a great achievement.
But how could you have missed such a large nail while checking your tire 🫣
Anyhow, you have learned a new skill. And you can ride your bicycle again!
Thank you!😊
Yes, I felt good for patching the tube.
Haha! I swear! It was a tiny nail, like a little tack, but my camera magnified it. I regret not videoing it in the palm of my hand to see the real size 😁
Thank you so much again for the confidence boost to attempt the repair myself:)))
You don't look clueless at all! definitely seem to know what you're doing there (I'd just drag the bike around xd). Fantastic the way Hive connects you with all these exciting people around the globe and with them, this wealth of new info.
Hehe! Thank you 😊
Yes, Hive is truly amazing when it comes to making connections. I cannot think of any other platform where I'd message 'strangers' without feeling like a proper weirdo.
I used to get punctures all the time in the Philippines which is why I used tyre sealant.
I've never heard of this before, but that sounds like a great solution:)
What a great seller! Kudos to them for helping! 💜
Hehe! 😍
They might ban me from the shop when they see how well I can count 🤣
It's a lovely group of guys and I'm pleased they slotted me in right away 💜
Oh well, top marks for trying, which is more than I'd've done.
Haha! I was determined 🤣 and I tried for several days!!!
Oh! you've been a victim of punctures my friend 🤭, a very common problem. Good thing you got the help you needed and you learned how to put the patch, now you must not forget to check the tires before going out and always carry the tools with you to be able to solve those small but very annoying mishaps 😅.
Your bike is beautiful 😍.
Yeah, getting a puncture sucks, but I'm a little more confident now in case it happens again.
Thank you 😊
I think I have to take prepare for next puncture, for the last three year my bicycle has served without any issues, though I don't use it for the whole winter season for around 6 months in a year. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
WoW! That's the kind of luck I had hoped for, and then unexpectedly I got the puncture.
Yes, it's good to be prepared with the basic repair kit at least.
Happy riding in the warmer month:)))
Is really good to have handy tools for a bike repair either on-the-go or at home not necessary going to a workshop or garage to get it done.
Thanks for sharing this 😊
Yes, it could be unnerving if there's a puncture and no tolls. Always best to have even the basics handy.
Thank you:)
Amazing @millycf1976 you fixed your cycle, I think that's the profesional's work and you did it!
Thanks for stopping by and happy cycling on yours 🤗
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