To text bike mechanic on Xmas day!

[Mmmcheese89]

Ok, I know I am, but I need to rant and scream so I'm putting it here.

Recently changed jobs, which changed direction of my commute. I commute by bicycle right now as I'm temporarily not medically allowed to drive. New job has shifts including bank holidays. I didn't have problems with my bike on my old commute but since travelling in a new direction I've had over 6 punctures in as many weeks.

Spoke to mechanic. Was advised that puncture resistant tyres would be best and would stop as many punctures, and also slime in the tubes as a back up. I picked the bike up last week after getting the upgrades.

I'm currently sat in a dark corner of the transpennine trail, 2 miles from home, with a fuck off huge puncture in my rear that won't reinflate, despite the slime. I don't know how I'll get to work tomorrow.

My anger wants me to text bike man. I have his personal number for complicated reasons.

Some will say I shouldn't have taken the job but I couldn't stay at mine any longer for the same reasons I can't drive right now.

Just AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!

I can't keep paying to repair this bike or get taxis to work. I feel like I've been sold a fallacy.

I made it to work without any pressure loss. £30 saved! Hopefully I'll make it home too. Then I can get the bus tomorrow and pick up replacement tubes etc on the way home.

Thank you bicycle gods. You smite me with thorns, but bless me with electrical tape and super glue success!!!

Nice one, glad it held up.

Are they resurfacing the bit of the TPT you use OP? The National Cycling Network has paid for a few bits where I live. Is it worth you contacting them about it, surely you can't be the only cyclist with this issue using that route ?

It does seem odd you are getting so many punctures.

I'm in awe of your spirit OP . Your new employers are lucky to have such a determined and committed person working for them.
What time will you be riding back? Between 5 and 6 ? Perhaps we can all hold a good thought for you and the collective will of MN might get you home puncture free.

If you want puncture/thorn proof tyres, then you have to go with tubeless set up, these are then filled with a latex based sealant or similar like Stans or Orange and will seal all but actually cuts with metal or glass.

I have been using this set up on my MTB for many years and touch wood have yet to have a puncture, the sealant need replacing every few months, but its easy to do, the tyre will usually have 3 or 4 thorns sticking into the tyre but the sealant stopped the leaks.

An inner tube can rarely be sealed with slime or anything else.

Another solution is a tubeless insert, Vittoria make one, allows tha wheel to be "run flat" in the event of a puncture.

If you cannot run tubeless, then you need an armored tyre such as a Schwalbe Marathon or if its a MTB tyre you need, Specialized do v tough tyres.

the thickness of the inner tube makes no difference, if the thorn etc can get through 3 or 4mm of reinforced tyre, it will easily get through a rubber tube.

I know it's already been mentioned but do look at access to work.
When I lost my license for medical reasons I got taxis funded to work.

@whatwouldyoudoifisangoutofkey strange you should say it, but last night as I pushed the last few hundred yard home I said aloud to myself 'im sick of having to be so damn resilient'. Which is true, it's exhausting but it's just what I am.

@Alexandra2001 it's the marathons that I've just had fitted last week. I can't go tubeless without new wheels.

You can buy kits to convert none tubeless rims to tubeless.

Marathon Plus are about the toughest tyres out there, did you have new tubes fitted too?
Consistently win awards for their puncture resistance.

Apparently you can get solid types, I have no idea how good(or bad) they are.

www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008220522798.html?src=bing&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=true&isdl=y&albch=shopping&acnt=135095331&isdl=y&albcp=554851195&albag=1306220947490970&slnk=&trgt=pla-4585238373891532&plac=&crea=81638863712723&netw=o&device=c&mtctp=e&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=PA_Bing_UK_PLA_PC%2FM_SFFC_ALL_MaxValue_20240204&utm_content=All&utm_term=solid%20bicycle%20tires&msclkid=452132a7afdf1469f43d55cab55f2aaa

Good luck for your homeward journey tonight 🤞

Good luck for your home journey OP, impressed your fix made it in.

@Alexandra2001 brand new marathons, brand new tubes and (useless) slime.

I'll see how I get on once I've replaced the tube. It may have just been one hella sharp thing at the least optimum time.

Check you’re not getting “pinch flats”. I went through a run of flat tyres daily until someone mentioned this to me. Turns out I wasn’t pumping my tyres up enough. Since I bought a proper pump I’ve not had the problem any more

Just had confirmation from a smoker colleague that my back tyre is still inflated. Just a few more hours, and 7ish miles and I'm home free without adding too much to the debt I'm trying to pay off. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

You can get tube liners to go between the tube and tyre, however the only time I used one of those I am convinced it rubbed a hole in the tube instead.

8 years of commuting 30 miles a day and I managed 2 punctures. Sadly I can't ride now as there are no showers at work to clean up and I really miss it.

@wombat1a I was advised against tyre liners for exactly that reason. If you ride on anything but perfectly smooth tarmac the crease, twist and then rub through your tube, hence the expense of the marathons.

I've never had such a bad run of punctures. I've genuinely had more punctures since mid November than I've had the rest of my life combined, and I grew up cycling and cycled lots as an adult too.

The unexplainable bit (in addition to the power of your super glue) is that you had multiple punctures with no source. If you had ridden over a load of glass, I'd expect multiple punctures and some of it to be stuck in the tire. If you rode over a nail, then you'd have only one big puncture, but no sign of a nail.

I guess it is possible for something to have got inside, but then you should have found it. Plus this has never happened to me.

Anyway, all you can do is buy more tubes and inspect your wheel and rim tape very closely when you change it. If they all look fine, then it will remain a mystery, but you should also be puncture free.

For anyone that's invested, I've made it home, with tyre pressure. Even I'm surprised at how well I patched the holes. Tomorrow I shall replenish my stocks at the bicycle shop.

And for anyone reading this in the distant ISH future wondering how I did the patches:

I cleaned and dried around the hole applied liberal amounts of super glue to the tube, around and on the hole and then applied the electrical tape on top, much like a patch. Smoothed it out and made sure there was glue on the whole bit of tape then let it dry for a few minutes. Repeat for all holes. Check it's holding air before sliding it back in the tyre.

So glad you got back without a flat and that your temporary fix worked.

You were due a smidgen of luck !