On a Slow Puncture and the Cyclplus AS2 Pro

This is an experience review, rather than a product review. During yesterday’s group ride I noticed that my rear tyre was feeling flat. I stopped to re-inflate it because the problem seemed minor but I made the mistake of not closing the valve properly before setting off again so the inner tube problem, that might have started as a slow leak became a more serious problem due to the damaged valve.

The first issue is that I thought a quick, simple solution, inflating the tyre would be enough. It might have been enough, if I had closed the valve after inflating the tyre.

In future I will automatically swap the inner tube, and then check whether the issue is a serious one or a superficial one. People were blocked at the Bogis Bossey traffic light anyway, so I had time to fix the tyre properly.

I didn’t want to keep the group waiting. Two weeks ago I had another tyre puncture and the group got cold waiting for me to fix the tyre. I did not want a repeat of that yesterday. That’s why I went for the quick fix.

Within a few kilometres my tyre was flat again when I was near the Crassier Pizzeria, near the Boeuf Rouge. I inflated again but this time the groups continued. The fast group, and the slower group. I re-inflated and my reflex was to head home but I decided to continue, to see if the group was waiting for me somewhere more convenient for them.

In the process I rode up to La Rippe and had to re-fill the tyre for a third time, right before the gravel bit. I then continued to the Golf de Bonmont and had to fill again, and then I had to fill one last time on the descent towards the Landi building.

That’s where the Cyclplus AS2 Pro proved it’s value as part of my kit. It costs 78 CHF now but I got it for half price during a promotion.

If I had used gas cannisters they would have been fast but I’d have to buy at least two or three new cannisters. With the Cyclplus AS2 and AS2 Pro, all I need is to recharge the battery before the next ride. The key difference is that with the AS2 Pro, it’s a tiny bit larger, with a display, and you can preset the pressure. With the AS2 you rely on tactile feel to decide when the tyre is ready to continue the ride.

Lesson Learned

If the inner tube had been completely flat the decision to replace it would have been automatic. It’s because it seemed to be a slow puncture that I chose to “inflate and ride home”, rather tha replace it. Next time I will know that the simplest solution is to change the inner tube there, and then.

The Inflated Inner tube remount

This morning, after yesterday’s misfortune I decided to test something I had heard recently. “Inflate your inner tube before adding it to the wheel.” I tried that and it worked fantastically. The logic is simple. When the tyre is completely flat it gets twisted and moves around. When it’s inflated it doesn’t move around or twist so it really speeds up adding an inner tube. Within seconds you can replace a tyre, and within minutes you can be back on your way.

Now that I have taken the time to test this, from the comfort of home, I can apply it to future tyre misfortunes, whether mine or someone else’s.

And Finally

I inspected the GP 4 Season tyres, and my wheels visually, and then with paper towels, before a final tactile check. None of them showed traces of FOD. I can only come to the conclusion that with my tyre pressure and riding style, the GP 4 Seasons are not suitable. This morning I reverted to the GP5000 tyre for the rear, and I will swap the front one shortly.

I was trying GP 4 seasons out of curiousity and because of winter, but now that spring is back, and that I have had punctures I am happy to revert to tyres that I know and trust. I have, so far, found GP 5000 tyres to be reliable.

Silver Lining

If my inner tubes continue to fail every two or three rides I will become proficient at changing tyres. I suspect that I will struggle less on faster rides, now that I’m back on GP5000 tyres.

#Sheffield #coffee deliveries on the #cargobike done. Another #puncture though (4th one this year). 46km in about three hours https://www.strava.com/activities/17587682570 which isn't much slower than what the car would have been.

Haven't recorded all the rides this year as there hasn't been many (fair weather cyclists) but an estimate including this one compared to a small sized petrol car is 64kg of #CO2 avoided by travelling by bike (using https://co2.myclimate.org calculator)

Over the year it's usually over a tonne of CO2 (ie 1000kg) saved. Imagine if we built for #bikes instead of cars and how much cleaner the air would be if a few more of us felt safe cycling.

POV:
Pracuješ ve firmě, co vozí špony z obrábění do kontejneru přes parkoviště 🥲

#Brompton #Bike2Work #puncture

Cc: @micromobilita

The Over-Inflated Tyre

Today, for the first time during a bike ride, I had a tyre puncture. I suspect that it wasn't a tyre puncture but rather that I over-inflated the tyre, and that due to the wet, gravelly conditions of the roads, the inner tube eventually failed.

The irony is that it's because I checked the tyre pressure that the incident occured. By checking the tyre I inflated it, but when I saw the pressure was fine I decided to inflate once or twice more. That's why I had the catastrophic failure of the tyre. By catastrophic I mean "minor inconvenience.

The Learning Experience

The learning experience wasn't changing a tyre, or that you can over-inflate a bike tyre. The learning experience was learning to change a tyre while people get cold waiting on a cool February morning.

Changing a tyre when you're alone is relaxed. You get to the side of the road, you remove the damaged inner tube, replace it, and then set off again. When you have an audience the steps are the same, but you don't want to keep people waiting. I struggled a little, and eventually I was ready to set off again.

When I sped up I felt the "tap, tap, tap" when I sped up. I know what this is. It's the inner tube that became twisted within the wheel. That's when I told someone with the group that I was aborting the ride. I didn't want to make them wait a second time, given that people were cold the first time.

I cycled to a sports centre and I deflated the inner tube, unseated the tyre, visually inspected the inner tube. I sat down on the floor and slowly, with patience, checked that the inner tube was in properly this time. It had become twisted as I had suspected.

The last time I had a twisted inner tube I was heading down at full speed from La Rippe down to Crassier when the rear inner tube burst. Luckily I recovered and was able to stop safely.

Further and More Waiting

If I had stayed with the group, and continued riding, and the tyre had blown a second time, then I didn't have a second inner tube so I would have been stranded, and those people that were cold would have been even colder. It made sense for me to abort the group part of the ride, fix the problem and then head home.

And Finally

Tyre punctures are common and people are patient. There is no pressure to fix the problem in 30 seconds or less. You can take your time, and people are relaxed. Every time someone has had a puncture the group has given them time to fix the issue. I suspect that when this happens again I will be calmer, more methodical, and more relaxed. I will fix the problem and continue the ride.

Another bloody puncture! This time back left.

#puncture #volkswagen #idbuzz #ev #electricvehicle

As a #Cyclist who is fortunate enough to live in a place where I can #Cycle all year round, #Autumn has come to be known to me as #PunctureSeason. With many #paths festooned with fallen sharp twigs and small branches, particularly after heavy winds, it’s sometimes like riding over an unavoidable set of #Stingers and to avoid them all is virtually impossible and one’s vehicle eventually succumbs to the inevitable.

#Biking #Cycling #Bicycle #Puncture

Earlier this week, I realized my front #bike #tyre had a slow #puncture. A minor inconvenience to replace the #InnerrTube as I always try to have a spare one just in case (it’s a matter of when, not if). So, I replaced the tube and pumped it up to about 6 atmospheres (the outer tyre is rated for 6-9 atmospheres) but as I was putting my tools away, the inner tyre exploded with a large bang, just like a balloon would, only louder.

#Biking #Cycle #Bicycle #Cycling.