Tire Maintenance
Check the tires weekly to make sure they are inflated to at
least the minimum pressure printed on the sidewall and remove
all objects embedded in the tires. Tires inflated to the correct
pressure will be safer, decrease the chances of a puncture
and prolong the life of a tire. It is recommended tires be
checked monthly for wear and cracking, but you might as well
check it now while you are already working on the tires. Check
for cuts, cracking sidewalls, visible core and wear. If you
can’t tell whether the tires are worn or not, read the
instructions that came with the bike or tire to find the minimum
tread depth.
Tire
Repair
The tire will need to be replaced if worn, cracked, or the
core is visible. The tire might need to be replaced if cut
or punctured to a degree beyond repair.
The wheel first needs to be removed. Next, locate the cut
and mark it with chalk or a marker. Completely deflate the
tube. Squeeze the tire to loosen it from the shoulder and
get it in the center trough. Pry a tire lever under the
tire bead, lift it over the rim and attach the lever to
a spoke. Move over a few spokes and use another lever to
lift the tire over the rim. Do the same with the third lever
and lift as much of the tire over the rim as possible and
remove the levers. Repeat the lever process until an entire
side of the tire is removed. It is suggested that the tube
be removed only from the area in which the tire needs to
be repaired for convenience. Depending on the depth of repair,
the entire tire may need to be removed. A small cut can
be filled with super glue or repaired from the inside of
the tire with a patch. A larger cut needs to be repaired
with a patch kit. Once the repair is done and has had time
to dry, the tube needs to put back under the tire and inflated
just enough to give it some form. To reattach the tire simply
use your hands to place the tire back on the inside of the
rim. Make sure the tube does not get stuck under the tire
bead. Inflate the tire to at least the minimum pressure,
attach the wheel to the bike and you are set to ride again.
Tire
Replacement
The procedure for replacing a tire follows the nearly the
same steps as repairing a tire. Completely remove the tire
from the rim and replace it with a new one. Remember this
time though, the tube does not need to be removed at all.
Leave it intact.
Front
Wheel Removal
Untension the brakes to allow the wheel to pass through. The
brakes will usually have a brake quick-release or you will
need to simply lift out the cables. Next detach the bike fork
from the wheel hub either by quick-release or by unscrewing
the axle nuts with a fork wrench and pull the wheel out of
the fork. Note: when you put the wheel back on you need to
be aware of the safety systems on some bikes. These systems
usually consist of an oval washer that fits in between the
wheel nut and the fork. The tab on the washer has to be fit
into a slot on the fork end, before you fit the wheel nut.
Once the washer is in place and the wheel nut is tightened,
the wheel can not fall out.
Rear
Wheel Removal
Use the derailleurs to set the chain on the smallest rear
cog and the smallest front chainring. Untension the brakes
to allow the wheel to pass through. The brakes will usually
have a brake quick-release or you will need to simply lift
out the cable. Next detach the bike fork from the wheel hub
either by quick-release or by unscrewing the axle nuts with
a fork wrench. Hold back the derailleur and chain while pulling
the wheel out of the fork.
References
1. Langley, Jim. Bicycling Magazine’s Complete Guide
to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair or Road and Mountain Bikes.
Emmaus: Pennsylvania. 1999.
2. Milson, Fred. The Bike Book: Complete Step-By-Step Guide
to Choosing, Maintaining, and Repairing Your Bicycle.
Des Moines: Iowa. 1995.
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