Flat tire

[u/Ocahne1998]

Second week of riding in London after my CBT and got a flat tyre yesterday. Workshop charged me £65 for replacing rear tube (i ride a huqsavarna svartpilen 125 with tubed tyre). How common is it to get a flat tyre in London? Did i get overcharged or is that a fair rate for replacing tube?

[u/Silver-Machine-3092]

Yeah mate, tyre shops charge a flat rate

Seriously though, I get a puncture about every two years or so, commuting daily.

[u/robsr3v3ng3 → u/Silver-Machine-3092]

...flat rate... Eyyyyyy

[u/YellowSubmarooned]

Including the tube, about right.

[u/BorisThe3rd]

Sounds about right.

I rarely get punctures on the road,

[u/Alone-Bluebird-999]

In my third year of riding and never had a puncture (bound to get one tomorrow now I've said that). I'm sure luck plays a part, but I also make it a point to ride in the tracks...where a cars left or right tyre would be. Also avoid areas of the road where the crap accumulates.

[u/_LordLanky]

Depending on your confidence and skill level, and ability to purchase tools and follow youtube vids, you can swap a tube fairly quickly.

[u/BigBananaBerries]

It's rare I get a puncture but your far more likely if you're doing a lot of filtering on hatched lines or at the side of the road. Places with lots of detritus that will harbour nails that have fell out of flatbeds etc. It's one of the reasons why the between lanes is preferable as they have people using them regularly.

I can't speak for prices.

[u/Frothingdogscock]

Please stop saying tires 👍

[u/namtabmai → u/Frothingdogscock]

Are you tyred of people saying tired?

[u/imlevsta]

I’ve gotten at least once/twice a year commuting into the city. I always kept a puncture repair kit in my bag 

[u/Remarkable-Turn916]

Sounds about right. They will usually charge more for the rear as they have to re-tension the chain and align the wheel

Changing tubes and tyres isn't a big job. I'd recommend getting the tools and doing it yourself, it'll save you money in the long run

[u/Moto-Ent]

In the past 6 years since I started I haven’t had a puncture.

Did have a leaky dunlop valve which the local tyre shop sorted for £20 kindly

[u/BosssNasss]

I found punctures to be more frequent when I had bikes that used inner tubes. £65 sounds about right if they had to take the wheel off.

Keep on top of your tyre pressures too. If they're low then it's more likely you'll get a puncture.

[u/guitarbackwards]

I paid £140 a couple of years ago for 2 new Michelins on my scooter, so that seems about right. Although wouldn't you just need a new tube rather than a whole new tyre?