I have been getting out and getting fit trying new things and really trying to have fun with exercise. This week I happened by a new bike shop in my neighborhood and found a very fun used bike. I tried it out, love it and purchased it. I had to go back a few days later and pick it up when i had time to walk down to the shop and ride back. It was an interesting and really fun ride, I felt pretty good considering I hadn't ridden in like 23 years...anyways I got hope no problems. I put the bike in my garage over night and this afternoon I went out to give it a wash and buff up the chrome and go for a spin. I was pretty bummed to see my new bike had a flat tire. Now I am pretty sure I didn't ride over anything that would have damaged it on the way home so I am thinking it was my weight?! It is an older bike but it was a great ride and it didn't feel strange getting home...I am really not sure what to do at this point I would hate to take it back to the shop and I don't even know if I could exchange or return it at this point. Anyone had experience with this sort of thing or have a suggestion...I'd like to take the path of least embarassment..

It has NOTHING AT ALL to do with your weight. Take the bike back and demand a new tire/tire lining, whichever may be the case. You do NOT weigh enough on your own to damage a tire. Picture bicycles carrying trailers with children behind, people who ride on the handlebars while another is on the seat, etc.

Even if you DID weigh too much for the bicycle, the employee at the bike shop would have advised against the purchase and directed you to another bicycle. But that's not the case as stated above.

Congratulations on your new hobby, and I look forward to hearing about your future rides once the store replaces/fixes the tire for free.

It has nothing to do with you. The tube in the tire just probably needs replaced. Just take it in and tell them to check out the tire. It costs like $12.00

Hi Moxie574 -

Kudos for getting back on a bicycle after a bunch of years.

Just like the others have said, it had nothing to do with your weight. Maybe you did ride over something, but more likely, it came with a slow leak. My guess is that the shop will gladly repair it.

Good luck.

I agree it's an inexpensive fix, however, I feel the bicycle shop should replace it for free since it wasn't even 24 hours after the sale of the bike when the issue occurred.

The bike store probably purchases a tube wholesale for pennies. The few minutes of work needed to change the tube is meaningless for them to charge for. Profit-wise, in terms of making a new customer happy, they should do this for free, for in return, the customer will give proper word of mouth advertising.

On a side note, it's very easy to change a tube in a tire, and may be a skill worth picking up if one bikes often. You can buy tubes at any Walmart type store for cheap. But I think in this case, the bicycle store needs to take a look at the tire and make sure there are no actual damages to the tire itself. A store could be sued for selling a poor tire, even if the bicycle is a previously owned bicycle (as in this scenario). It's their JOB, DUTY, and ETHIC RESPONSIBILITY to sell a product that is in excellent working condition.

Happy riding to all!

I definitely think it's the stores problem, most stores, if they want to keep their reputation, will replace for free even on used stuff, especially if it's only 24hr later... Go ASAP...

Be firm, walk into the store with confidence, go for it, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT...

Let us know how it goes

I agree with the others. I also just rediscovered the joy of riding a bike! Congrats to you!

Most likely you ran over a thorn or something very small, take it back to the shop and I'm sure they will fix it up for you.

I rode my bike at your same weight. It's NOT your weight.

Could be anything from a defective tube (if put in wrong you can get a pinch flat) or you ran over something that wasn't noticeable. I agree with the others take it to the shop where you got it and they will help you figure it out and might even teach you how to change a flat for the next time it happens.

It's not you at all! Don't worry. (And I do understand. I have an irrational fear that I will cause my exercise ball to explode under my weight.)

If you are going to be riding in the road, where there can be glass and debris, you can have a heavy-duty innertube put in. When I did that I started having a lot fewer flats. Also, since you got it used, check the tire tread carefully to make sure it's not worn, unless they replaced the tires before sale. You can ask them to show you how to replace the tube yourself, they probably will be happy to do that.

Thanks so much for the comments I feel much MUCH better! I am taking it to the shop this afternoon.

I'm so glad you feel better! Let us know how everything goes. You could post the same exact question on a biking forum and get the same answers from the "pros", so, if the store treats you badly, you let us know, ok? I promise you that you are NOT in the wrong and your weight has NOTHING to do with the tire. I'd personally be present when they "look over" the tire and make sure they don't insert a nail into it just to "blame you" for the flat. But that's just me, I'm a very paranoid person. And that piece of paranoia has nothing to do with the weight of a customer.

Good luck! Whatever happens, you know that you have a slew of people cheering you on and you should continue with your new biking hobby!

let us know what happened! I was also going to chime in that it was nothing you did. And to congratulate you for finding something fun to do that is good for you

I was talking to my older son today (he's 27) about whether the ground was firm enough (we had snow lately) for his mountain bike. He has to take it to the bicycle shop to have it's suspension adjusted...when he bought it he was over 275, at the beginning of his weight loss/better health journey..and today he is 212. Yes I am proud of him and not trying to hijack your thread, just putting in that his bicycle was the beginning of his very successful journey!!

Thanks so much they fixed the inner tube with no hassle and no charge! I don't know if they would have normally charged me or not but I brought a friend with me and she ended up purchasing a very nice bike so now I have a bike and a friend to ride with! Win Win!

oh have fun on the bike! I saw the thread title so came to see if I could help (I live in Holland Europe, we have a LOT of bikes here!) but I see you already got it sorted out :-) I just started out on my bike again, I now have a seat for my 2 year old fitted to the back so am pleased to be able to cycle again, but the problem I am having (since I havent ridden for 2 years now) is that after a VERY short time I get a very sore bum (Arrgh). However I know that after a week or so of regular cycling that will start getting better - so to anyone else getting started with a new bike - if youre worried about that - it WILL get better with a little perserverence. We are coming up to summer now and I am really looking forward to more and more cycling, even to get bread at the bakery! My plan is to cycle everywhere whenever I can and not make excuses.
Happy cycling everyone :-)