O.K. You think you have a flat tire. You may need these tools to fix it: tire irons (or a quikstik), patch kit, pump, maybe a new tube, maybe a presta adapter. First check to see if the bead has come off of the rim or if the bead has worn thru to the tube perhaps by rubbing on the brake shoe. Sometimes the bead can stretch and come off in which case you need a new tire. Also, if a bike sits for awhile the tires may just go flat and need to be pumped up again. Also, check the valve stem to make sure that it is tight (use a valve stem tool if you have Schrader stems) and that the air is not leaking here. Alright, your tire really is flat and probably has a tube puncture or tear at the valve stem (in which case you need a new tube). Here is what to do>>>>> 1- Remove the tire from the bike after turning the bike on it's back. Loosen both axle nuts or the quick release lever and disengage the brake cable so that the tire will pull off between the brake pads. For the back wheel, shift the chain onto the smallest sprocket, grab the derailleur body and pull it toward the rear of the bike, and wrestle the wheel free. 2- Remove the tire from the rim using your tire irons (these may be plastic and not really iron). Use the beveled end and work it about a half-inch underneath the bead starting at a point on the wheel opposite the valve stem. Use leverage to pull the tire from the bead and lock the other end of the iron on a spoke. Take a second iron and work it about an inch from the first and push it to push off the bead, or lock it on a spoke and use a third iron. In this fashion you can work off one side of the bead and remove the tube. 3- It is important to now check the inside of the tire for thorns, glass, metal fragments, etc.. When you are sure it is clean, move on to the tube. Pump it up a little and listen carefully for an air leak, or submerge it in water and look for bubbles. The hole, or holes, can be verified by a little saliva which will bubble if placed over the hole. 4- Rough up the area of the tube a little with the sandpaper in the patch kit where the hole is. Apply a glueless patch or apply enough glue to cover the size of the patch. Wait five minutes for the glue to dry and then apply the patch firmly to the tube. If the hole is on a seam, or ridge in the tube, the patch may not hold as well. You may need a new tube. Wait a few minutes for it to bond. Then pump up the tube slighlty. 5- Place the tube back in the tire starting at the area of the valve stem. Center it carefully or you will risk damaging the stem and ruining the tube. Work the tube all the way into the tire and then begin to work the bead back onto the rim. You can do most of this by hand and complete the job using the tire irons, but be sure to not pinch the tube in the process. You may have to wrestle a bit to get the last bit of bead onto the rim. 6- Inflate the tire a little bit and then work the bead with your hands to make sure it is even and looks O.K. 7- Use your pump and PUMP IT UP BABY! Some pumps require a great deal of energy to get a decent air pressure. You may need an adapter if you have the Presta system to engage it with the pump. The adapter is usually placed on the stem after the stem valve is turned loose. 8- Replace the tire onto the bike and check the brake cables and alignment of the tire on the dropouts and retighten everything. 9- Go check it out and ride. It may be O.K. or it may still loose air again after a few hours or days. If this happens then you may have pinched a hole in the tube, the patch may have failed, the valve may be loose, you may have had more than one hole, or the item that caused the flat may still be in the tire!!! 10- Here are some Wrecking Crew tips We recommend using Schrader valve stems and not Presta because you don't need an adapter. It is much easier to deal with the Schrader in general (this is the type that cars have). You can have your rim hole enlarged to accept Schrader if you have Presta already. If you need a new tube make sure that you get the right size and the correct stem type. Check yor air pressure with a pressure gauge before each ride and set at your favorite pressure. This depends upon the terrain, whether you have suspension, or personal preference. Make sure you have rim tape on the inside of the rim to cover the spoke nipples. We do not use tube liners or thorn protectors. Always carry the necessary tools with you on your ride so that you can repair a blowout. Sometimes on a long ride one of us will carry a spare tube. Also, check to make sure that your glue is still good and not dried up if it has been previously opened. Keep a close eye on your tires for sidewall wear against the brake pads. We have found the kevlar sidebeads do not strenghthen the tire and do not help against flats. Manimal has had great luck with Continental tires, although they are tough and sometimes difficult to remove from the rim. It is also a good idea to buy a nice tube, and have a spare handy. Happy Trails!! |
