I barely hit 100KM on my new Trinx Tempo 1.3 road bike, and the road bike tire burst.
When I say burst, I don’t mean explode of anything dramatic like what you see when there’s a massive explosion.
It was rather just a loud pop, and I felt my rear tires being flat.
Who would have guessed that I would experience my first flat tire while riding my new road bike today.
What happened?
I was on my usual route, going downhill.
I’ve been on this route countless times, and the weather was great and I felt great.
So, upon the descent, I decided to go for some speed.
But a third of my journey, I heard a pop from the rear of my bike. I didn’t know what really went on with the tire but I knew was that I had a flat.
Initial checks showed that I probably hit a stone but I wasn’t sure if the tire was with a hole, or was dislocated to the extend it lost it’s pressure.
I didn’t have a pump to check, and I definitely didn’t bring a spare to do immediate replacement of the tire.
It was around 5.40PM, and I could walk home, but I was about 8KM away, and I would be late for dinner and perhaps need to push my bike all the way home.
So I called my wife to pick me up, and walked home while waiting.
My wife soon came, and I removed the tires of my road bike and fitted it into the car bonnet. This was the moment I realized how important quick release screws were.
After fitting everything in the bonnet, we left for home.
Investigation into the flat
Upon reaching home, I took out the road bike, placed it on my repair stand, and inspected the back tire.
I filled the tire with air and immediately noticed it was hardening, but at the same timer had a loud gush of air coming out somewhere.
I inspected the tire and found out there was a cut. It was about a centimetre long, but it was big enough to deflate the tire almost immediately.
I knew I had to send this to a professional as I didn’t have the tools to replace a tire.
Later on, a friend who cycles too told me that if my road bike tires aren’t inflated enough, it will burst easily because stones have the opportunity to pierce through it.
My tire prior to the accident wasn’t exactly hard, but it wasn’t also that soft. I didn’t pump it prior to cycling and last had it pumped when I fixed the bike together, which was perhaps a week a go.
At the local cycle shop, the mechanic said that there was a tear in my tube and he had it replaced.
Lesson learned
So what have I learned from this experience.
For starters, I knew I had to bring a spare tire tube or at least basic tools and a pump if I decide to cycler far from home. If my wife wasn’t home, I’d probably have to walk all the way home if I didn’t. I’ve since ordered these tools online and you can check them in the link below.
BUY MINI PUMP | BUY SPARE TIRE | BUY TOOLS | BUY TIRE REPAIR KIT
Secondly, I realize that a road bike tire needs constant pressure, so I must always pump the tires prior to heading out. Road bike tires are not cheap, so I can’t afford having a puncture too often.
Thirdly, I realized that cycling is an expensive sport, and while I didn’t understand the need to have a light bicycle at first, I now do. Part of the reason why one needs a light ride is to enable them to include important things like a pump, spare tire and tools.
My road bike now weighs 12KG, so if I add all the tools and water, it would easily weight 15KG, dragging my momentum and speed down.
What’s next
Well, I’ve already fixed the tire and adjusted and configured the group sets. They had probably missed some alignment when I took out both tires from the frame.
I’ll also change the wheel nuts of my mountain bike, to the quick release kind, just in case something like this does happen to my MTB when I am using it.
Last but not least, I am going to check my tires every time before I leave the house and I’ve also ordered a basic repair set to enable me to fix the tire mid-journey shall it happen again.
Anyway, cycling is a fun way to exercise, so this incident is just one of the few incidents which will not dampen my spirit to continue.
‘Til the next update.
