These notes are intended as a reminder of what to do if you get a puncture on a ride. They are not intended as a tutorial - there are plenty on the Internet and we run occasional hands-on sessions. For simplicity we have not attempted to describe repairs to tubeless tyres.
We strongly suggest you practice at home before you get an issue on a ride. In particular, make sure you have the tools you need for the job.
What you need
You will need:
- Pump - ideally one with a gauge to make sure your tyre has a decent pressure. Most pumps can work with the two common types of valve:
Presta (the ones that don't look like a car tyre valve) and Shrader (the ones that do) however, make sure your pump works with your valves and leave it configured correctly for when you need it. It's worth an occasional check to see if the pump is working if you don't use it at home regularly.
- Optionally, A CO2 inflator. It is a faster and easier way to inflate your tyre but there's no indication of how much 'puff' remains, so you could be left with an under-inflated tyre. In any case, you might run out of CO2 if you have multiple punctures. Best practice - especially if you're riding on your own - is to carry a pump even if you use CO2.
- Tyre levers - you don't want cheap, floppy tyre levers. Instead they should be rigid plastic or metal.
- Spare inner tube(s) - best practice is to carry at least two with you in case of multiple punctures. You need to be sure they are the right size for your tyre. Our general practice is to replace inner tubes rather than repair them on the road. That saves time for the ride. You can then repair them at home, or discard them.
- A sharp point - to help remove objects embedded in a tyre.
- Spanner/Allen key - necessary only if you need one to release your wheels.
- Optionally, a Specialist tyre seating tool - there are a variety of tools to help you get that last bit of tyre over your wheel rim. Practice at home will tell you if you need one.
- Patches - a bit "belt and braces" but, if you run out of inner tubes, self-adhesive patches give you a quick fix.
- Not necessary for simple repairs, but a tyre boot might get you home if you get a bad cut in one of your tyres. I carry a stout piece of inner tube; alternatives are a £5 note (any other denomination will do) or a piece of toothpaste tube (see here for more details).
If you are unsure what you need, please ask for help before it becomes an issue for you.
If you get stuck...
If you are on one of our rides, someone will usually stay with you to help out if necessary. If you are uncertain, it's important you try to fix the puncture yourself - that's how you learn.
If you are on your own, consider asking a passing cyclist for help. Look for someone that appears to have bags that might contain tools. Most people will be happy to stop and help if they can.
Use the crib sheet without the internet
The page you are reading now works as long as you are connected to the internet.
We have provided a version that runs on a mobile phone even if it is not connected to the internet. To use it go to this page on your phone:
www.portsmouthctc.org.uk/unpuncture
That will automatically load the page into your phone. You will also see instructions for creating a shortcut from your phone's home screens so you can quickly get back to it when you need to.