|
|
Many people are put off from riding reasonable distances due to the possibility of punctures. |
|
To others, punctures are the last thing in the world they think about as they go zooming out into the wilderness. The latter often face the long walk home, such a shame when with a small amount of pre-ride preparation, the walk could have been prevented.
With a bit of preparation and practice, most people will be able to "repair" at least one puncture during a ride, more if you are very prepared. They say you should never leave home without a certain plastic card - a cyclist should never leave home without at least one spare inner tube, or puncture repair kit, tyre levers and a means of re-inflating a tyre. These can easily be stored in a small pouch under your saddle or even a bum bag (never understood why they call them that when you wear them at the front!).
Part 1
Removing the wheel can be difficult, can be real easy. We show you the easy way.
|
Step 1
No
photo
required! |
We were going to call this identifying the problem and show you a flat tyre, but we feel everyone would know what a flat tyre looks like.
Resist the temptation to ride, even if people do tell you "it's only flat at the bottom".
Riding will damage your tyre and possibly your rim. |
|
Step 2
 |
We said we'd show you the easy way, well here goes.
The first thing you should do is transfer the chain onto the outer rings at both the front and rear of the bike.
This makes it much easier to get the wheel on and off the bike. |
|
Step 3
|
Loosen the brake cables before attempting to remove the wheel.
Whilst you will experience little difficulty with a flat tyre, a fully inflated tyre will cause you a few problems.
Practise this at home and ensure you know how to do it. |
|
Step 4
|
Turn the bike upside down, when you have mudguards etc. to contend with, it makes it so much easier. Make sure you are careful with computers etc and make sure they are still there when you turn the bike back the correct way up. |
|
Step 5
|
Release the quick release lever or loosen the nut. |
|
Step 6
|
Remove the wheel. |
|
Your life saving kit
|
Your minimum requirements are a puncture repair kit or inner tube, tyre levers and a means of inflating the tyre. Obviously you can purchase a pump but the gas cyclinder and adapter shown are a useful addition to any saddle bag. |
Part 2 - Replacing a tube.
|
Step 1
 |
Starting at the opposite side to the valve, insert a tyre lever between tyre and rim and push downwards lifting the tyre rim over the edge |
|
Step 2
|
You can lock the tyre lever in place by hooking the lever around one of the spokes as shown. This leaves you both hands free for the next lever. |
|
Step 3
|
You simply insert the second lever as shown and gradually work your way around, lifting the tyre over the rim. |
|
Now the potentially dangerous bit.
Step 4
|
Having removed the inner tube you must then check the tyre to remove what may have caused the puncture but PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
Your fingers are the best tools for this job but go carefully if the cause of the puncture was a fragment of glass it could slash your finger. We even heard recently of a guy who was "stabbed" by a syringe needle. |
|
Step 5
|
Having replaced the new tube re-seat the tyre starting again at the opposite side to the valve. Usually thumb pressure is all that is necessary but if you find it necessary to use a tyre lever, be careful not to knick the inner tube between lever and rim. |
|
Step 6
|
Re-inflate the tyre. As mentioned earlier gas cyclinders like the above make light work of the task of inflating your tyres. |
Types of Punctures
There are two basic types one caused by an article entering and puncturing the tube, a thorn, glass etc or what are referred to as Snake Bites.
The former are the most frequent unless you happen to ride with your tyres under-inflated. A snake bite is caused when you hit a rock. kerb or similar and because your tyres do not have sufficient pressure the tube is "jammed" between the tyre and the rim causing the double hole where the rim hits the tube which gives this puncture its name.
Information with kind permission from 'e-cobr'
Please use the "Contact Us" box at the top right hand side of your screen if you have any questions . Alternatively, you can use our online Comments form. |
Search NorthWeb
