Bicycle wheel popped from weight?

Question

My friends and i were using my freestyle diamondback 20 inch bike to carry all three of us to Target. One of my friends (125 lbs.) sat in the front, I (170 lbs) peddled the bike, and my other friends (180 lbs) stood in the back pegs. my bike was okay after the whole trip but about three hours later after leaving my bike alone, the front tire was flat. i havent checked the hole on the tire yet but could the flat tire be from all our weight or could it just be something else. I am not sure because i used my bike by myself and everything seemed okay, but after leaving it in the garage i found it flat. IF IT IS A HOLE CAUSED BY OUR WEIGHT, WAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FIX IT: REPLACE IT COMPLETELY OR PATCH IT UP

Answer 1

you have no choice but to replace it completely, if you patch it up it will just pop again. its not that hard to change though and a tube only costs a few dollars so no worries.

good luck

Answer 2

It wasn't the weight -- at least not directly.  The most likely cause is running over something sharp, but it could also have been what's called a "snakebite" puncturte.  Specifically, a snakebite is caused by hitting something like a large stone or pieces of wood or pavement and having the inner tube underpressure. The result is there is too much compression of the tube and it gets caught between the rim in and the tire causing two small holes beside each other (hence the name snakebite). Snakebites are avoided by keeping the air pressure up to the recommended level while riding.

Either way, you have a flat. You have two choices. Fix it (you need a patch kit) or replace the tube (a few dollars).

Fixing requires the tube to be removed (use tire levers to get the tire off on one side, then pull out the tube, being careful not to break off the valve stem), the hole found (pump in some air, and if you can't hear/feel the air leak, put the tube under water in a sink or basin and look for bubbles). Dry the tube -- keeping sight of the hole -- apply glue (from a bike tube repair kit), smear it around and after a slight film forms (5-10 seconds or so) press on a patch (having removed the foil cover first). Press hard for a minute and make sure the patch is firmly attached.  Note that some rubber tubes don't take patches well (the glue simply doesn't stick) ... in which case you have to replace the tube with a new one.

Reassemble the wheel, being careful to NOT catch the tube between the rim and tire bead. The seceret to that is to put a bit of air in the tube before assembly. If possible, work the tire bead onto the rim with your thumbs ... only use levers if you have to.

It's hard to describe all this ... and probably best if you see it demonstrated the first time by someone hwo knows how. It may be worth finding a helpful cyclist who would be willing to show you.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

If you want to make sure it's a hole, fill the inter tube with water, and see if it leaks anywhere.  If it is, you can get a new one at Wal Mart for like $5