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Bicycle Maintenance
Avoiding Flat Tires
Flats happen. Here are a few things you can do to
reduce
their frequency:
- Tires: The best way to avoid flats is
to have
good tires. A
 well-made tire can withstand more stress than an
economy
"mart-store" tire. Get yourself some good tires.
- Heavy-Duty Tubes: They cost a little
more, but they resist punctures. Because heavy-duty tubes are about three
times thicker they'll add a little weight, but that's a small price to pay
for reliability.
- Tire Liners: This is a plastic strip
that wraps around the inside your tire and provides a protective layer to
keep your tubes safe from minor punctures. Mr.
Tuffy is a well know brand.
- Slime Tire Sealant: Slime is a green
fluid that you pump into your existing tubes. It works great. The
slime fills a fresh puncture hole where it clots and seals the hole.
Stops most flat tires.
- Proper Tire Inflation: Improperly
inflated tires can result in "snakebites," so named for the
slit-like punctures that result from a sharp impact that pinches the inner
tube between the rim and the obstacle. The best prevention is proper tire
inflation. Always inflate your tires to the pressure stamped on the side of
the tire. Check the tire pressure every month.
Changing A Flat Tire
- Use tire levers, or another blunt
object (not a screwdriver) to pry off old tire.
- Check the inside of the tire by
looking and feeling for any foreign sharp objects that may cause
flats, and remove them.
- If the tire shows excessive tread
wear, cuts, or any casing damage, replace the tire immediately.
- Check the inside of the rim for
spoke protrusions or sharp edges and file until smooth, if necessary.
- Be sure the rim strip covers all
spoke ends and spoke nipples completely.
- Mount one side of tire on rim by
hand using no tools.
- Inflate tube slightly (just enough
to mold tube into shape).
- Insert valve into rim hole and tuck
the tube neatly all the way around the inside of the tire without twisting
or bunching up the tube.
- Using ONLY your hands and thumbs,
start at the valve area and roll the second side of the tire onto the rim,
working your way around the rim until the tire is mounted. The last
few inches is the hardest part, but DO NOT USE ANY TOOLS. Tire levers are
used for removing tire only, never for installing, since they often will
pinch the new tube. For the last few inches, you may want to let as much air
out of the tube as possible by depressing the valve and squeezing the tire.
- Partially inflate tire and check
that the tube is fully enclosed by tire, and the sides of the tire are
evenly seated around the rim. Inflate tire to proper pressure (marked on the
side of the tire) using a bicycle pump only. Constantly check tire for
proper seating around the rim while inflating. Many blow-outs occur at
this point, because of improper tire seating. DO NOT USE A SERVICE STATION
PUMP.
Lubricating a Chain
It's important to lubricate the chain frequently,
at least once a month, or more often when riding in
wet weather. Before lubricating the chain, first wipe off excess gunk with an
old rag. You should also clean the cogs, chainwheels, and especially both pulleys in the rear
derailleur. Lubricate the chain liberally with a good quality spray
lubricant, then, wipe off the excess lube.
Check out Park Tool Company's Bicycle
Maintenance & Repair Site |
