STEP ONE IS FIGURE OUT THE FLAT BIKE TIRE CAUSE. Inspect the tube and then inspect the tire very well for something sharp poking through the tire. Carefully slide your hand through the entire inside of the tire to feel for something sharp. If you don’t inspect the tire and put a new tube in you’ll end up with a flat in the exact same spot. If you can’t figure out what caused the flat you should be VERY suspicious.
FLAT BIKE TIRE CAUSES
- Blowouts: Sudden loss of air accompanied by a loud bang
- Damaged valve: Not likely from riding but inflating
- Tire damage: split tire or cut sidewall
- Pinch cut: hitting a pot hole or rock
- Puncture: glass shard or metal wire
For extremely long rides you may consider a spare tire otherwise this is completely unrealistic..
To prevent flats to begin with check out these tips from Bicycling to prevent a flat tire on your next ride. We’ve written about Ten Mistakes to Avoid which supplements the ideas from Bicycling.
How to temporarily patch up a cut or split tire
Just take a dollar bill, fold it up, and insert it into the tire to cover up the cut. Get it in place between the tube and the tire and inflate.
If you don’t have a bill, a gel wrapper, or some piece of strong flexible plastic will do the trick. I always carry cash for emergencies and specifically a dollar bill in my saddle bag for this purpose.
This technique is called a boot and only a temporary fix. You’ll be able to limp home from your ride. If all else fails call up that friend that owes you a favor and hitch a ride.