The best crash is one that never happens in the first place. In the effort to get the word out about tire pressures (4 out of 5 bikes I work on have low tire pressures), it's important to fully understand and know just what your tires are telling you through the feedback they send to you. Proper tire pressure is ESSENTIAL for rider safety. Keeping up on them by checking once a week with an accurate gauge (preferably a dial type) is time well spent. Tires slowly lose pressure all by themselves and it's your responsibility to maintain them. Remember- it's your ass that's on the line.
Most punctures will cause a slow leak. Some type of road debris has put a hole or cut into the tire tread. As the tire loses pressure, it's important that you know how to recognize the signs of an impending flat.
If the front tire is low, the steering will feel vague and "heavy." The bike will require gradually more and more input to change direction. Your instincts will tell you something just doesn't "feel" right. Your normal steering inputs will not change your direction- you'll still be going straight wondering WTF! is wrong. Heed that warning and pull over as safely as possible to a spot where you can check the tire condition and pressure with the gauge you should be carrying with you. Use as little front brake as possible as the braking load will cause the under inflated tire to squash under the load and you will lose even more steering capability. If you get on the brakes too hard, the tire can deform and fold causing a crash.
If the rear tire is losing pressure, the back end will feel loose or slippery. You will feel like you're riding on a road covered with butter but the front will still steer. It may even feel like you're being hit by a gust of wind when there is none. The rear end can fishtail back and forth, especially under acceleration. It's an odd sensation. Be aware that using the rear brake is not a good idea.
On the rare occasion that both tires are punctured by the same debris, expect all of these symptoms to feel magnified and more severe than just one tire going flat.
An instant blow out, though rare, can still happen. It's important to remember to first keep your cool. You need to split your focus- monitor what vehicles are around you and also find a safe place to stop. Coasting is going to provoke the least amount of resistance from the bike. Your speed will drop dramatically- look for a safe spot to stop. Once you have stopped, make sure you're not going to be hit by some assh0le driver talking on a cellphone.
This picture shows a pocketknife blade I picked up in a brand new rear tire. The front tire hit it knocking it upright and it then pierced the rear. It went totally flat in about 8 seconds. I didn't crash because I listened to what the bike was telling me.
The best crash is one that never happens in the first place. In the effort to get the word out about tire pressures (4 out of 5 bikes I work on have low tire pressures), it's important to fully understand and know just what your tires are telling you through the feedback they send to you. Proper tire pressure is ESSENTIAL for rider safety. Keeping up on them by checking once a week with an accurate gauge (preferably a dial type) is time well spent. Tires slowly lose pressure all by themselves and it's your responsibility to maintain them. Remember- it's your ass that's on the line.
Most punctures will cause a slow leak. Some type of road debris has put a hole or cut into the tire tread. As the tire loses pressure, it's important that you know how to recognize the signs of an impending flat.
If the front tire is low, the steering will feel vague and "heavy." The bike will require gradually more and more input to change direction. Your instincts will tell you something just doesn't "feel" right. Your normal steering inputs will not change your direction- you'll still be going straight wondering WTF! is wrong. Heed that warning and pull over as safely as possible to a spot where you can check the tire condition and pressure with the gauge you should be carrying with you. Use as little front brake as possible as the braking load will cause the under inflated tire to squash under the load and you will lose even more steering capability. If you get on the brakes too hard, the tire can deform and fold causing a crash.
If the rear tire is losing pressure, the back end will feel loose or slippery. You will feel like you're riding on a road covered with butter but the front will still steer. It may even feel like you're being hit by a gust of wind when there is none. The rear end can fishtail back and forth, especially under acceleration. It's an odd sensation. Be aware that using the rear brake is not a good idea.
On the rare occasion that both tires are punctured by the same debris, expect all of these symptoms to feel magnified and more severe than just one tire going flat.
An instant blow out, though rare, can still happen. It's important to remember to first keep your cool. You need to split your focus- monitor what vehicles are around you and also find a safe place to stop. Coasting is going to provoke the least amount of resistance from the bike. Your speed will drop dramatically- look for a safe spot to stop. Once you have stopped, make sure you're not going to be hit by some *** driver talking on a cellphone.
This picture shows a pocketknife blade I picked up in a brand new rear tire. The front tire hit it knocking it upright and it then pierced the rear. It went totally flat in about 8 seconds. I didn't crash because I listened to what the bike was telling me.
The best crash is one that never happens in the first place. In the effort to get the word out about tire pressures (4 out of 5 bikes I work on have low tire pressures), it's important to fully understand and know just what your tires are telling you through the feedback they send to you. Proper tire pressure is ESSENTIAL for rider safety. Keeping up on them by checking once a week with an accurate gauge (preferably a dial type) is time well spent. Tires slowly lose pressure all by themselves and it's your responsibility to maintain them. Remember- it's your ass that's on the line.
Most punctures will cause a slow leak. Some type of road debris has put a hole or cut into the tire tread. As the tire loses pressure, it's important that you know how to recognize the signs of an impending flat.
If the front tire is low, the steering will feel vague and "heavy." The bike will require gradually more and more input to change direction. Your instincts will tell you something just doesn't "feel" right. Your normal steering inputs will not change your direction- you'll still be going straight wondering WTF! is wrong. Heed that warning and pull over as safely as possible to a spot where you can check the tire condition and pressure with the gauge you should be carrying with you. Use as little front brake as possible as the braking load will cause the under inflated tire to squash under the load and you will lose even more steering capability. If you get on the brakes too hard, the tire can deform and fold causing a crash.
If the rear tire is losing pressure, the back end will feel loose or slippery. You will feel like you're riding on a road covered with butter but the front will still steer. It may even feel like you're being hit by a gust of wind when there is none. The rear end can fishtail back and forth, especially under acceleration. It's an odd sensation. Be aware that using the rear brake is not a good idea.
On the rare occasion that both tires are punctured by the same debris, expect all of these symptoms to feel magnified and more severe than just one tire going flat.
An instant blow out, though rare, can still happen. It's important to remember to first keep your cool. You need to split your focus- monitor what vehicles are around you and also find a safe place to stop. Coasting is going to provoke the least amount of resistance from the bike. Your speed will drop dramatically- look for a safe spot to stop. Once you have stopped, make sure you're not going to be hit by some *** driver talking on a cellphone.
Listened to what the bike was telling you and do not force any abrupt moves.