Bike question......?

Question

Ok, I have a bike. And now it is summer. So I want to be able to ride around to the mall when I am bored. The thing is though, that my bike had a flat, back tire. So I went to the store and bought a new inner tube. I fixed it up, it worked for a while, but now it is flat...again. I am positive the tube is fine. So, can people give me suggestions to fix my bike? Please!!!

Answer 1

Read this article.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/flats.html

Most likely, there is a piece of glass or thorn still stuck inside the tire.  Run your finger along the inside to see if there's anything sticking out and take it out.  This is the "red finger" test.

Another possibility is that you put the tube back in and it got pinched between the rim and the tire, and when it got inflated to full pressure, it pops.

Of course it's also possible that you were unlucky and happened to get two random flats in a short period of time.  It happens.  Go to a local bike shop, and they will be happy to teach you how to properly change tubes and prevents flats.  Good luck!  Keep riding.

Answer 2

Woozy speaketh the truth.   Many times the cause of the flat is some foreign object, and that object can still be stuck in the tire.   A burr on the wheel rim could also cause it, or a spoke end sticking thru the rim tape.

Answer 3

Check the inside of the TIRE for anything that might be poking a hole in the tube. Be careful not to cut yourself if there's a piece of glass or something. Also check the inside of the rim.

Also, when you put the tire on, make sure the tube is fully inside the tire and not getting "pinched" between the tire and rim.

Answer 4

please please please do not use a screwdriver as a tire iron. Go to any bike store or department store and pick up some cheap plastic ones.