This Downhill Mountain Bike Race Would be a Bad Place to Get A Flat

Mountain Bike Race Course Goes Through a Couple of Family Homes

We are searching through hundreds of online videos to bring you the very best in amazing bicycle related vids.  Here is a race course that goes through village streets, sidewalks, down alleys and jumping stairs.  Getting a flat tire on this ride would be unhelpful in the extreme.



In case you're planning to ride your bike faster than 15 mph or if you merely want to stop flats from messing up any great day on a bike, consider RhinoDillos tire liners.  Proven to be the toughest solution for bicycle flats.

How to Fix a Bicycle Flat on the Road

9 Steps to Getting A Bike Flat Tire Fixed While On a Ride

You bike just got a flat while you were out on a ride.  Now what?

Step 1 - Ask your girlfriend (wife, kids, friends) to calm down.  It will only take a little while to fix the flat and get everybody back on the road.  If they continue to complain and moan and groan, tell them to either help or give you a break.  Try to keep the entire thing from turning into a big huge scene.

Step 2 - Review your tool kit.  You don't have a tool kit?  Does someone with you have tools?  Are there others out on the road that might have bike tools.  Flag these people down and hope they are friendly.

Step 2A - Second version.  You have some tools.  Tire changing levers, (or some not too sharp object that will work).  Option:  You've seen people take tires off with their bare hands.  Surely that will work.   You have a patch kit or a spare tube or both.  You have a pump or a CO2 Cartridge.  Your bike has quick release or you have a tool to remove/loosen the nut holding the wheel on the frame.

Step 3 - With a set of tools now at your disposal, you can begin to work.  Remind all who are watching what a pro you are at changing bike tires, regardless of your experience.  Begin by removing the wheel.  Well, not exactly.  You first need to relax the brakes so that you can slide the wheel out from beneath the brakes.  The ways to do this are as numerous depending on the type of brake.  Sometimes you can force the wheel out without relaxing the calipers.

Pictures thanks to http://www.bikewhenever.com/flat_tube_removal.html

Step 4 - After removing the wheel, you can now remove the tire from the wheel.  Slide your tire lever under under the bead of the tire. . . The bead is that part at the very end of the casing . . . the casing. . . never mind.  Look over at the picture.  Pull the bead up and over the bead of the rim, and lock the tire lever on one of your spokes.  Now use the second lever (if you have one) to pull the bead of the tire out of the rim a few inches away from where you did the first one.  Now you should be able to slide the lever around under the bead and the tire is off.  If you think taking the tire off was hard, wait until you want to put it back on.

Step 5 - Clean up the blood on your knuckles as best you can and see if anyone has some anti bacterial soap, Neosporin, band-aids or other helpful first aid products.  The pain in your eye will subside, usually, in few minutes.  Flying tire changing levers are just part of the fun.

Step 6 - Ask your wife (girlfriend, kids, friends) to stop crying, whining, laughing, etc.

Step 7 - Now remove the inner tube from the wheel.  You may need to remove a small nut that is keeping the valve in place.  Inflate the inner tube if your intention is to patch it. (With any luck your pump will have the proper head for the valve)  This is so you can find the hole in the tube.  You may need to substantially over inflate the tube to help with this.  Now hold the tube up to your ear and rotate, hoping to hear the leak or feel the escaping air against your ear or face.  Warning: Be extra cautious around your prank-prone friends. Concentrating on finding a small hole in a tube is a great time to catch you off guard!

You can submerge the tube in water and rotate, looking for bubbles.  However, this is not likely on the road.  When you think you have the leak, check around the same spot for possible additional leaks.  Sometimes the thorn or other road debris will have punctured you more than once.

How large is the hole.  If more than 1/16" in diameter, you may not be able to patch it.  Aren't you glad your have the spare tube?  If possible, patch the tube following the instructions on the packaging for the patch kit.  After patching, blow the tube up again with your pump and see if the patch worked.  In my experience the odds of that are somewhere around 50-50.

Step 8 - Run your hand up under the tire casing and all around the full circumference to see if you feel any sharp objects.  You can also do a visual exam of the inside and outside.  Pay special attention to the location where the flat occurred by lining up the valve with the valve hole and checking where on the tire the leak would line up.

Step 9 - Puff up your chest and announce to all who still care that the tube held air, and now all you have to do is replace all this, and we can be on our way.

Step 10 - Find the nuts that go on the wheel and the valve stem.  If any of your fellow riders are still hanging around, ask them to help in the hunt. 

Step 11 - Place half of the tire back on the wheel.  Have the part of the tire that is not on the wheel facing you.  Now stuff the inner tube up inside the tire.  Pump up the tube to help hold it in place.  Now replace the nut that you have hopefully found back on the valve stem.

Step 12 - Using the heal of your hands, push the other bead of the tire back up onto the rim.  Do this all the way around.  Sometimes you can use both hands and have them rotating in opposite directions.  Eventually you will get to a point where you are unable to force the bead onto the rim.

Some who are practiced and strong can actually  finish the replacement of the tire with their bare hands.  You will likely need to get out the trusty tire tool at this point.  Using the tool as a lever, place the end of the tool on the bead of the rim under the tire, and lever the tire up onto the rim.  There are two things you want to watch out for at this time.

1. Try to scrape different knuckles this time.  It hurts a lot to rescrape earlier owies.  
2. Do not get any part of the tube in between the tire tool and the rim.  This is much easier than it might seem.  Pinching the tube will mean starting over, and your adoring fans will leave you.

Once the tire is back all the way onto the rim, check to make sure that the tire is evenly seated.  Seated is geekspeak for - the tire is even on both sides and all around the rim.  You might add a bit of inflation to help with this process.

Step 13 -  Place the wheel back on the bike before fully inflating.  Grease from the chain and the derailleur will undoubtedly get all over you and your clothes, but most of it will come out.  Make sure the wheel is spinning evenly and not off kilter.  Once you have tightened the QR or the nuts, reposition the brakes and reactivate them.

Step 14 -  Inflate the tire to the recommended amount and pray:

• That there were no other holes that are unpatched
• That there was no other road debris or thorns still in place
• That you didn't pinch the tube when you levered the tire in place
• That you have properly replaced all parts

Step 15 - Step back to admire your work.  Remount the bike and pedal around.  Get off the bike and readjust the brakes so they stop rubbing on the rim.  Test the brakes to make sure they stop the vehicle as needed. 

Step 16 - Use your cell phone to find out where the other members of your party are at this time.

Step 17 - Immediately upon returning home from your ride, head over to the local bike shop.  Do not regale the clerk with your story.  He has heard it many, many times before.  Buy any and all tools that you didn't have when you needed them.  Buy a spare tube.  Then buy a pair of tire liners.  Not just any tire liners, but RhinoDillos Tire liners.  You see - having all the tools and the spare tube and stuff will not solve the problem.  RhinoDillos will.  And you will get the benefit of being in the crowd that does the complaining, laughing, and leaving. 

Stop Flats with the Product Consumers Are Talking About - Read the Reviews

We Tested RhinoDillos Tire Liners.  The Lab Tested Them.  Bike Dealers Tested Them.  Here Are Reviews From Real World Tests by Bike Enthusiasts Like You

As you will see in the reviews that follow, nothing has yet been invented that stop 100% of bicycle flats.  However, RhinoDillos tire liners are now proven to be the most effective method to stop flats in bikes.  Please don't hesitate to visit our website that tells all the details at http://RhinoDillos.com

RhinoDillos are available at bike shops across the US.  We have a handy Bike Shop Dealer Locator available to you by clicking here.

If your shop doesn't carry RhinoDillos, they can probably place a special order for them.  If they won't do that, you can buy them on Amazon.com.  Don't accept any other brand or method for stopping flats. 

Here's what consumers are saying about their RhinoDillos Tire Liners.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product, questionable sizing, June 2, 2013

By 

Daveh (Central, CA USA) -

Purchased tube protectors because the Bullhead stickers are everywhere I ride and the leak sealing products just can't keep up with them.
After some research and reading lots of reviews, I selected this item in a size larger than my tires, since it is easy to remove too much stuff than make a small thing larger. Installation was pretty simple and straightforward. Product works as advertised no punctures and no leaks.

5.0 out of 5 stars THESE THINGS REALLY DO WORK!, June 1, 2013

By 

Shaniesean - 

I BOUGHT THESE FOR MY COMMUTER BIKE(MARIN LOMBARD DISC) THAT I RIDE TO WORK 20 MILES ROUND TRIP 3 TO 4 TIMES PER WEEK. BEFORE INSTALLING THE LINERS, I WOULD GET A FLAT TIRE ABOUT ONCE PER MONTH. SINCE INSTALLING THESE LINERS IN MY TIRES, I HAVEN'T HAD A FLAT TIRE IN ALMOST A YEAR!! HANDS DOWN, THIS IS, BY FAR, THE BEST UPGRADE OF THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS I'VE SPENT ON MY BIKE IN THE PAST YEAR JUST FOR THE PEACE OF MIND AND THE WORRY FREE FEELING OF NOT HAVING TO STOP AND FIX A FLAT TIRE. GREAT PRODUCT! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good price for comparable quality!, June 1, 2013

By Osvaldo J. Ramirez - Save yourself a few bucks without giving up quality, so no matter where you bike you can help reduce flat. Saves you the cost of puncture resistance tires.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars RhinoDillos Rock!, May 20, 2013

By CharlesWells - I,ve learned one thing for sure, that is: If it has air in it ,it's gonna escape. I researched the RhinoDillos tube protectors before ever ordering and was satisfied with my selection, however, I still had a flat tire even though I was using Avenir thorn resistant tubes and Slime tube sealer along with the RhinoDillo tube protectors. A very little piece of wire,and I'm talking LITTLE , about the size of a two day old whisker, left me out on the side of the road. Next step, probably kevlar tires! Despite my luck ,I'm still happy with the RhinoDillos and will always use them!

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Necessity, April 24, 2013

By Robert C. Ernst (CA,USA) - I live in a are where there are lots of goat-head thorns. All of my bikes have tire lines, or I'd be fixing flats every day.

5.0 out of 5 stars Won't ride without them., April 21, 2013

Sara (North California) - I'm using Rhinodillos in 700 x 23 c tires on my late 80's Univega road bike. I keep my tires inflated at 120 psi, and cycle about 50-60 miles per week at the time of this review.

Installation:
What a pain in the neck. Be patient, make sure you have good tire levers and center the liners in the tire. Make sure the liners aren't creeping up the sidewall. The liner will overlap, and that is perfectly okay. If you feel a hop in your tire after installation, make sure you haven't pinched the inner tube between the rim and the tire bead. I already managed to do that once, and the bike mechanic looked at me like I was a fool. The effort is worth it, and installation of 700 x 23 c tires are a pain in the butt anyway, liners or not.

Experience:
700 miles, countless piles of glass from broken windows AND broken bottles (I commute through a bar district), and endless supply of road debris and the tail end of thorn season, NOT A SINGLE FLAT. I am using the liners with tires that are cheap, soft and have very little protection from flats on their lonesome.

4.0 out of 5 stars They work!, February 25, 2013

By Carl Harsch - After 3 flats without these liners, I installed a set of these in the same tires. I haven't had a flat since. I didn't trim them at all, so there's a slight overlap.

4.0 out of 5 stars Save money on tubes, February 22, 2013

By pat - I used to be a cheap-skate when it came to my tubes and tires, even lining the inside of my tires with duct tape. The duct tape did work, but dont be ghetto like that..aint nobody got time for that!! Slip these little bad dogs in and you dont have to worry about duct tape and goat-heads anymore ! 

5.0 out of 5 stars so far so good, December 14, 2013

By Mike Looney - Highly recommended. Will write back if I get a flat -- so far so good. Easy to put in the tire and definitely provides ease-of-mind in thinking about a 50 mile ride without worrying about a flat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong product, Epic customer support., October 12, 2012 By  EraZorX - So I bought a set of these for my bike, since the road on my commute tends to be spiky at times. Due to sheer luck, I managed to get a flat the first day out! I had ran over about 3 thorns, but only one punctured a tube. However, the liner actually stopped the thorn, but the tube punctured somehow. I emailed the company about my problem, and they sent me a new tube and liner for the popped tire! Apparently, I just got really unlucky, as no tire liner is totally invincible, after all. I haven't gotten any other flats since then, so it was probably just a fluke. I'll update this review if something else comes up. When companies can stand behind their products like this, though, I know they have a quality product! 5.0 out of 5 stars So far so good!, August 29, 2012 By boo-koo "boo-koo" (Miami, FL USA) -I purchased a used Specialized road bike that had tires which appeared to be in very good condition. But after 3 days riding on local streets I got a flat. Thats when I discovered tire liners and upon more research saw the Youtube video that claimed these where superior to the competition. So I purchased a set. Since then I have rode for 2 months and have not gotten a flat tire. So I am very happy with this item and recommend it. It does not affect the ride or make me go any slower. It was easy to install myself and I am no mechanic (Thats for sure). I think these are a good investment and add an extra layer of protection from flats. 4.0 out of 5 stars I'm Sold! -- Wait, still got a thorn, but definitely the toughest out there., August 17, 2012 By  Matt (Yakima, WA) - I found a new trail on my commute home that I absolutely love. The bad part was I'm pretty sure I've gotten 4-5 flats in the matter of 2 weeks from thorns. I day I got them. They are amazing. Buy them now, and never look back. I wrote the above review about 4 days ago. (and dropped it from 5 stars to two) Well yesterday on my way home, a thorn punctured THROUGH the rhinodillo. Please see my photos of it. Replaced another tube and will try them again I guess. Edit: 9/10 I sent an email to the company about the liners not holding up. Without even asking they sent me a refund check and a new tube with an apology letter. They also sent a "test kit" which comes with 2 mr tuffy liners, rhinodillos and the StopFlat 2. I can assure you the Rhinodillo was the toughest of them all, it just bended around the "thorn" they send. I'm changing my review from 2 stars back to 4 stars because I will support any company that stands by their products like this. 5.0 out of 5 stars So far so good, July 18, 2012 By Mike -I ordered these tire liners because of another review I saw on Amazon telling me to watch the promotional video of Rhinodillo tire liners. Based on the video, this product appeared to be far superior to Mr. Tuffy tire liners. I have never used Mr. Tuffy tire liners, but the demonstration video seemed to prove that these tire liners offer significantly more protection than other brands. To back up, the reason I bought this product is that I had a run of about 4 flat tires in a two week period, and I was about to lose my mind. Soooo, I picked up a set of Contintental Gatorskin tires (also from Amazon), as well as Rhinodillo tire liners to ensure a flat tire would not be coming my way for quite some time. I compete in triathlons in Utah, and I train during the week riding anywhere between 60 and 90 miles per week. So you can understand why flat tires would drive me absolutely nuts. The rhinodillo tire liners were not very user friendly to install, but I watched a couple of Youtube videos on intalling Mr. Tuffy tire liners, and the process for Rhinodillo tire liners is identical. Just make sure you take your time installing and don't get frustrated. For both tires, it took me about an hour (but it seemed like longer). A trick is when you first get them, take them out of the package, unroll them, and then reverse roll them so that they are not so stiff and coiled when you actually go to install them. These tire liners do add a little bit of weight to your tires, which for me wasn't an issue since I look at it as better training with a heavier tire, as well as I shouldn't have to stop and change flat tires (which can totally ruin any time advantage you might have with light performance tires). So the bottom line is this; if you want added protection to your road bike tires, Rhinodillo tire liners will almost certainly help prevent minor flat tires caused by small punctures to the tire itself. Just make sure you inspect your tires after every ride to make sure you don't continually ride with something stuck in your tire. 5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Around, May 13, 2013 By elitegunslinger - These are fantastic; I have already rode a couple hundred miles on these tire liners with no issues. Not a single flat from trail riding, street, or anywhere. My Cannondale had gotten a flat every couple trips, this is a relief for my wallet and for everyone I'm with having to wait for a tube swap. Highly recommended.

What Bike Shops Are Saying About Stopping Flat Tires with RhinoDillos Tire Liners

Tested by Bike Shops - Tested in the Lab.  RhinoDillos Tire Liners

 Stopping Flats Is Important To Bike Shops.  Here's Their Opinions on The Best Way to Stop Flats

I’m very impressed with the quality and endurance of Rhino Dillos. The test kit was like a tire liner wake up call.

    -Michael; Walla Walla, WA

I was inspired to purchase Rhino Dillos after witnessing our demo at Interbike last year in Las Vegas. I drank the RD kool~aid.  In fact, Rhino Dillos are my first choice for tire liners.

    -Dave; Temple City, CA

The first time I ever saw them was on our bike shop shelf.  I love their toughness and quality.

    -Tracy; Pacifica CA

I carry Rhino Dillos in my shop.  I really like their toughness and the way they hold up.

    -Justin; Phoenix, AZ

I likes RD and am impressed with their toughness and quality.

    -H.H; Edmond, OK

I recently purchased Rhino Dillos from J & B after hearing such great feedback about our liners.

    -Tony; Albuquerque, NM

Our customers truly love your product.

    -Gus; Tucson, AZ

I love RhinoDillos and happily carries the brand … I’m 100% committed to Rhino Dillos and became a fan of the product after playing around with the original test kit that was sent my way.  It worked!    -J.S.; Prescott, AZ

A Hans Johnsen rep who inspired our shop to carry Rhino Dillos.     -Steven; Santa Fe, NM

All 4 of our stores carry Rhino Dillos and love them. It is our ultimate favorite tire liner! The feedback for Rhino Dillos from our customers is amazing.

    -Eric; Mission Viejo, CA/Laguna Niguel, CA/Anaheim Hills, CA/Irvine, CA

I Carry RhinoDillos tire liners and love them. I would like 3 test kits to place on display for my customers. These kits will be placed on various counters throughout his store.  My customers are always asking to try out the durability of Rhino Dillos.

    -Bill; Thornton, CO

I received your test kit and it made a believer out of me. Now RhinoDillos is the only one he carries!

    -Danny; Stockton, CA

I just started selling Rhino Dillos and love them. In fact, I am leaning towards no longer stocking Mr. Tuffys and just ordering Rhino Dillos instead! I was inspired to purchase RhinoDillos thanks to your mailers, postcards and distributor ads.

    -Kevin; Merced, CA

I carry Mr. Tuffys, Rhino Dillos, Stop Flat 2 and Slime.  My favorite though is RhinoDillos. Best product!

    -Pete; Ventura, CA

likes and carries Rhino Dillos. In fact, he asked if he could get a few of our test kits to display on his counter to show how amazing Rhino Dillos are to his customers.

    -Terry; Hoquiam, WA

I used to carry Mr. Tuffy and then I received one of the test kits which made a Rhino Dillos believer out of us. We got rid of our Tuffys and now only use RhinoDillos!

    -Tony; Santa Maria, CA

likes and carries Rhino Dillos in his store.

    -Mason; Morgan Hill, CA

likes Rhino Dillos and definitely stocks them in his store.

    -John; Tucson, AZ

likes Rhino Dillos and carries our product in her store.

    -Jan; Hot Springs, AR

carries Rhino Dillos and recommends them highly even more so than Mr. Tuffy.

    -Patrick; Davis, CA

Carries Rhino Dillos and really like them. Would love an extra test kit to display on his counter for his customers.

    -John; Turlock, CA

a big fan of Rhino Dillos and carries our tire liners. Would love a test kit to place on display for his customers.

    -Joey; Ventura, CA

I like and carriy Rhino Dillos in my store.

    -Tim; Phoenix, AZ

I carry and love Rhino Dillos

    -Trent; Casa Grande, AZ

carries and love, love, loves Rhino Dillos. His personal favorite out of all the bike liners that he carries.

He shared that they've tested Rhino Dillos using thorns, barbed wire and more and that Rhino Dillos is the toughest and securest of all tire liners.

    -Wlofie; North Palm Beach, FL

How to Install Bicycle Tire Liners in Bicycle Tires and Stop Flats

Stop flats best with RhinoDillos Tire Liners

Dealer Installation Is Recommended for Tire Liners, but if You Insist on DIY, Here Are the Steps

Before you begin the installation of your new tire liners, a word to the wise.  Recent laboratory tests, and tests conducted by bicycle dealers nationwide, have proven that the RhinoDillo brand of bicycle  tire liners is substantially more resistant to puncture than other leading brands.  You can check out the results of these tests by going to this website.

Step number 1.  Roll out the liner and give it some time to relax from the shape it has acquired from being rolled up.  You may even want to double it back on itself near the end, by rolling it the reverse way.  This will make the liner easier to handle.

Step number 2.  Never cut the end of the liner.  It is designed to overlap in the tire casing.  However, if the liner has a sharp corner on the end, you may want to use an abrasive to feather this out.  Some brands are very good about keeping the ends well rounded.  Others are not quite as consistent.

Step number 3.  You don't have to remove the wheel from the bicycle in order to install.  If you have QR (quick release), you may prefer to remove the wheels to create greater leverage for removing the tire casing from the rim.

Step number 4.  When removing the tire casing, only remove it half way, and leave the inner tube partially inflated.  This will make it easier to install the liner.  So deflate the tube partially at this step in order to make it easier to remove the tire casing.

Step number 5.  Insert a tire removal tool, or if you're really good, your fingers under the bead of the tire and remove one side of the tire from the rim.


Step number 6.  Feed the tire liner up into the crown of the tire casing with the curve of the liner matching the curve of the tire.  For dual durometer tire liners (by far the best) this will be the side of the liner with the thin color strip against the tire, and the side without the color strip facing the inner tube.  The color strip is made of very tough material and provides more resistance to puncture than liners that are all one color (single durometer or single hardness).

Step number 7.  Feed the tire liner all the way around the tire until it meets the other end.  Overlap these end.  While holding the liner in place push the innertube into the casing so that it is now helping to maintain the position of the liner.  This will all be done with one side of the casing bead still in position on the rim.

Step number 8.  When the innertube is fully in place, check to see if the liner has also remained in place.  If it has slipped, push it back over the top of the tube into position.  If necessary, add a little more air to the tube to help keep the liner in place.

Step number 9.  Use your tire changing tool or the heal of your hand to replace the bead of the tire over the bead of the rim until it is fully remounted.  Now add air and ride.  You have just reduced your chance of a flat by around 90%.   Even more than that if you are using RhinoDillos brand tire liners.

Do you have a method or approach that differs from this?  Let us know in the comments.