Ok. Winter is on its way out, and most of us have already gone out for a ride or two. In the coming months, as the weather begins to warm, our rides will be getting longer and hopefully more adventurous. The best riding in the spring is near bodies of water, and in Maryland we don’t lack those. The reason behind this is that the mountains can still get a cold stinging rain in the Spring, but also because the wildlife and plants are always at their finest along bodies of water after a long winter. All that being said, with more rides and longer rides you will be increasing the likelihood that you’ll get a flat tire.
So, here’s what to do. If the object is still sticking out of your tire, and you are only losing air slowly, leave it in. Watch it closely, and ride slowly, putting air in the tire whenever you can. If you are needing to put in air every hour or so, it is best to stick to the more popular roads, or at least ensure you will be riding through towns on your way home. If you pull the object out, you are surely stuck, but if you can manage to get home or another place before it goes completely flat then that is the best option.
If the leak is quick, and the above option isn’t an option, you need to either get a tow or pull out the patch kit. To do the latter, pull out the nail and ream the hole with the tools in your kit. Next, remove the backing from the plug material and thread through your insertion tool. Cover all material with glue. Insert the plug until it’s through all the way, and then slowly pull the tool out. The plug should be flush with the tire. Also, as a warning, you have to greatly reduce your speed if you are using a tire plug. Remember it is for emergencies only. Also, if you do use a plug, once you are at home or a shop you need to replace the tire, since you cannot continue to ride on a tire with a plug.
Check out this video for a visual. Also, we have plenty of tire repair kits at all of our Pete’s Cycles locations, so come pay us a visit.
So, here’s what to do. If the object is still sticking out of your tire, and you are only losing air slowly, leave it in. Watch it closely, and ride slowly, putting air in the tire whenever you can. If you are needing to put in air every hour or so, it is best to stick to the more popular roads, or at least ensure you will be riding through towns on your way home. If you pull the object out, you are surely stuck, but if you can manage to get home or another place before it goes completely flat then that is the best option.
If the leak is quick, and the above option isn’t an option, you need to either get a tow or pull out the patch kit. To do the latter, pull out the nail and ream the hole with the tools in your kit. Next, remove the backing from the plug material and thread through your insertion tool. Cover all material with glue. Insert the plug until it’s through all the way, and then slowly pull the tool out. The plug should be flush with the tire. Also, as a warning, you have to greatly reduce your speed if you are using a tire plug. Remember it is for emergencies only. Also, if you do use a plug, once you are at home or a shop you need to replace the tire, since you cannot continue to ride on a tire with a plug.
Check out this video for a visual. Also, we have plenty of tire repair kits at all of our Pete’s Cycles locations, so come pay us a visit.
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