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August 12, 2005
Bike Maintenance for Runners
From R of Leilani and R. R-All of us tire challenged runners thank you.
I tried to post this as a comment but kept getting rejected for "questionable material". Compared to my usual material this is G and it is G...perhaps it is all the stems and nuts that got rejected. :-)
Here are some tire pointers:
1. A tube and a tire are different. The tube goes inside the tire and holds the pressurized air. When the tube is punctured or lacerated you get a flat. There are tubeless tires as well but we need not worry about that here.
2. When you go out on a ride anywhere take at least one spare tube with you, a patch kit, tire lever, and a portable pump or frame pump. The tube and lever can be rubber banded and carried in your jersey, bag, or taped/tied to the frame where you can leave it till you need it. You can even take a spare tire with you if you like, they fold up nice and small and will fit either in a jersey pocket, bike bag or tied to the frame.
3. For the non-mechanical or forgetful types, rubber band the directions for changing the tube to the tube/tire lever in a small plastic bag.
4. When you notice you have a flat do not continue to ride or you will warp the rim. Walk the bike to a nice safe shady flat spot and remove the tire using the wheel release. If the back tire is flat then you will have to lift the chain off of the rear sprocket and remove the tire.
5. Take a careful look at the tire to start with and try to find what caused the flat. Glass and thorns are the number one culprits. If you find something stuck in the tire remove it and keep track of that spot as that is where you will find the damage on the tube. Also, note the damage to the tire itself.
6. Use the tire lever to separate the tire from the rim on one side. Find the stem and remove the stem nut. Push down on the stem top and pull the tube out of the opening between the tire and the rim.
7. Keeping track of where you found the puncture or tear in the tire, pull the rest of the tube out of the tire.
8. Locate the damaged part of the tube. If you can't find it you can use your portable pump to inflate the tube and look for where the air is escaping. If it is a puncture or small slit you can use a patch to repair the tube or you can just replace it. If you repair it pump it up a bit to ensure that it is not leaking and then deflate it again.
9. Whether you decided to replace the tube or repair it do not re-insert the tube into the tire yet. First inspect the inside of the tire and rim carefully and ensure that there are no foreign or poky objects in there as they may pop your new/repaired tube. Doh! Also, if there is a big slice or puncture in the tire you cannot just put the tube back in as it will bubble through the slice or puncture when you inflate it and pop. If the damage is large enough use your patch kit, or a piece of old tube or a wrapper of some sort to block damaged area from inside the tire. This will prevent the tube from bubbling out when you inflate it.
10. If the tire damage is minimal or you have covered it then put the tube stem back through the stem opening in the rim and put the stem nut back on. Carefully place the tube back into the tire making sure not to twist it.
11. Once the tube is in, use your fingers to put the tire wall back into the rim saving the part near the stem for last. Be very careful that the tube is not pinched between the tire and the rim as this will pop the tube when you inflate it. Lastly put the tire wall under the stem back in being sure not to pinch any part of the tube stem area.
12. Visually check both sides of the tire for any pinching. When tube is properly in place pump the tire up about 80% and re-inspect it for any tube sticking out. Pump the tire up the rest of the way. If there is no gauge on your porta pump then pump it till it is very firm. (Get to know how your tire feels when it is filled to spec using a gauged pump and then you will have a real good idea how much to put in).
13. Put the wheel back on. If it is the back wheel then you will have to put the chain back on the sprocket.
14. All done in less than 10 minutes. Practice this at least once at home so you are familiar before being out on the road.
Posted by Audrey at August 12, 2005 02:59 PM