11 replies to this topic

[rue2you]

Question:

Do I get a new inner tube (like can I get a 10 speed one from Wal-Mart) or can I use a fix-a-flat stuff?

I am greatly annoyed about this and hope you can help me!!

[greybeard]

You might find it helpful to carry one of those pressurized inflator/sealers in your chair bag. As for the puncture, a puncture repair kit will probably be cheaper than a new tube - if you can be bothered to mess with it. Either way you're going to have to take the tyre off, so it's swings and roundabouts. Do you have a friendly cycle shop nearby? They are usually very helpful.

[edlee]

Speaking of Walmart,, they sell this nice little tube repair kit,, complete with small tools for removing the tire from the rim, and patches for the tube. The only thing more you need is a pump to re-inflate it.

They also sell a product called "SLIME", in the automotive section. Poured into an uninflated tire/tube, it coats the inside and seals up to 1/4 in holes ( their claim, not mine). I have used it on leaky wheelbarrows and on a lawn cart with great success. I've also used it in my chair tires and haven't had a flat, since.

The problem with a flat, when you are out, is that in the time it takes to get back to the car, you have ruined the tube. That's how I became aware of the stuff at Walmart, in the first place.

Oh,, and the kit I mentioned is about the size of a pack of cigarettes, so I have one in each vehicle.
ed

[Tinbasher]

I have slimed my tyres and it seems to work well.

Fix-a-Flat is ok apart from the "Now drive for 20 miles at 30mph part"

Tin

[rue2you]

Thank you all! I am going to try to fix it tonight. I am having bad luck!! I was going into a friend's house today, she just has a little step you pop onto but my back wheel got to close to the edge of the walk and WHAM I completely flipped backwards and my legs went up over my head and there I lay on the cold, muddy ground. It happened so quick. I bonked my head hard on the side walk but the only thing that really hurt was my pride! My friend and daughter saw the whole thing and about scared them to death. My poor little girl told me an hour later, "Mommy, I am still shaking!" My neck is now a little stiff and sore but I am fine.
I have never flipped my chair before and have never had a flat and I am almost to the one year anniversary. To have them both happen a day apart is unbelievable!! Oh well, maybe get them over with and then not worry about it for another year?

[redryder49]

You can also go to a bicycle shop they will repair them for you also, dont know if there is one of them in West Union or not, in that part of ohio with the hills, lol.

Edited by redryder49, 05 March 2010 - 02:25 AM.

[Texaswheelz]

Yeah i use slime in mine too now. I use to carry around fix-a flat with me, but putting the slime in ahead of time takes care of any small punctures such as a tack. I've mostly had good luck with tubes over the years, I've had some last 5 years. But then last some I had a run of going through 5 tubes in 2 weeks time, they just kept going back for some reason. Haven't had one since though. New tubes aren't bad, I get mine for $2.50 each time and always have at least 2 spare still in their box.

[airart1]

oh man, keep a set of tires and tubes on spare for all times, man i can't tell ya how many flats i've had over the years, just an occupational hazard....remember to tuck that chin to your chest when u flip, done that a few 20-30 times.......just did it about a month ago, scared the crap out of me, it hadn't happened in a few years, i was so proud i had a couple friends around at the time! i would invest in a small air compressor too, but always keep tubes around.....

Edited by airart1, 05 March 2010 - 03:27 AM.

[rue2you]

Okay, so the tube I bought from Wal-Mart (24 inch universal) looks HUGE compared to the Schwalbe tires I have. I just right this second noticed that I put Spinergy on my title of this post. I do not have Spinergy's - I have Schwalbe's. I don't know where my brain was last night. So, do you have to special order the Schwalbe tubes?
My old chair has the hard tires that don't go flat so that is what I am using while I try to fix my other. But they are gray....and rattly....and ugly....and I don't like them. So there.

Redryder.....no, West Union does not have a tire shop. If you know where I am, then "them there hills" hold no tire shops!

[airart1]

sportaid.com is a good place to start..u'll need 1 inch tubes i'm sure, usually the bike shops and wallyworlds only have 1 1/4 in.........at least i've never seen any, u'll have to order them or get them from a high end bike shop and usually there not 24 in, you'll find that your wheel, even though there 24 in that doesnt mean there true 24s, i know that dont make sence but if u'll look on your tires there probably 559s which is a metric number.....medicare will pay for 2 sets of tires and tubes a year, i get mine from my supply's supplier, which is music city medical........maybe that explains it a little..but go to sportaid and look at there tires section, at least u can get an idea of what is available, u dont have to buy from them but its a good place to start.....

[greybeard]

Hi Rue, It doesn't really matter what brand of tube you use. What may be an issue is that tubes have two different kinds of valve. One is called Schrader and the other Presta. Schrader is the fatter of the two and is the kind used on car tyres. Presta is often known as "high pressure".

The wheel itself will be drilled to accept one or other of these valve types. If your wheel is drilled for Presta, the Schrader valve will not fit through the hole.

Good luck.

Edited by greybeard, 05 March 2010 - 08:41 AM.

[airart1]

type doesn't matter, but size does! and your in the states so if u get the european type of tube you'l have to have an adapter to fill it up with air.......i would only use the fix - a - flat stuff only as a last result, very messy and can ruin the rims if it gets all inside the tire to rim......just order the right tube and do it right and be done, after u've done a few you'll be able to change one in just a few minutes......u said u had hard tires as a backup so no big deal on time.......