some newbie questions - play nice please!
Discussion
New to cycling so these may be obvious to you but please bear with me:
1) I've googled 'how to repair a puncture' and i'm happy that i know what to do if i were at home. But for roadside punctures where you don't have access to a bowl of water to check for bubbles coming out of the inner tube, how do you locate the leak?
2) I have a footpump to inflate the tyres which fits on the real wheel valve no problem. The front wheel valve, however, has a weird gold thing in it? Do i need some special fitting for the foot pump to work with this? I considered pulling the gold thing out but thought the bike might implode...
3) Can i use motorcycle chain lube on the bicycle or does it require bicycle specific stuff?
Cheers!
1) I've googled 'how to repair a puncture' and i'm happy that i know what to do if i were at home. But for roadside punctures where you don't have access to a bowl of water to check for bubbles coming out of the inner tube, how do you locate the leak?
2) I have a footpump to inflate the tyres which fits on the real wheel valve no problem. The front wheel valve, however, has a weird gold thing in it? Do i need some special fitting for the foot pump to work with this? I considered pulling the gold thing out but thought the bike might implode...
3) Can i use motorcycle chain lube on the bicycle or does it require bicycle specific stuff?
Cheers!
1) Carry a spare tube and use that to replace punctured tube at the road side. Fix puncture when you get home and then use that as spare. Always check the tyre for whatever caused the puncture (nail/thorn whatever) as if this is not removed from the tyre itself then it will only puncture the new tube. I assume you will be carrying a pump to re-inflate the tube.
2) There are two different value types - Schrader and Presta. One is like a car value and the other has a "gold thing on top". You will need a cycle pump which will fit both styles. A car foot pump will only fit one of them. Alternatively replace one of the tubes so you have matching values.
3) no idea. I am sure someone will be along soon to tell you.
2) There are two different value types - Schrader and Presta. One is like a car value and the other has a "gold thing on top". You will need a cycle pump which will fit both styles. A car foot pump will only fit one of them. Alternatively replace one of the tubes so you have matching values.
3) no idea. I am sure someone will be along soon to tell you.
Take a spare inner tube (or two) with you on rides.
Google bicycle tyre valves. There are two types. Sounds like you have both.
Motorbike chain lube will be ok, but maybe overkill.
Just keep it clean and use a lighter cycle specific (or tiny amount of 3:1, then wiped clean)
ETA: Ah, beaten to it!
Google bicycle tyre valves. There are two types. Sounds like you have both.
Motorbike chain lube will be ok, but maybe overkill.
Just keep it clean and use a lighter cycle specific (or tiny amount of 3:1, then wiped clean)
ETA: Ah, beaten to it!
Edited by Get Karter on Tuesday 24th August 10:48
1. If you've no spare tube, remove existing tube from tyre/wheel and reinflate to a high pressure. You can lick the back of your hand and move it across the tyre so you should feel any leaking.
2. The front tyre has a Presta valve as mentioned. When unscrewing the gold bit, slightly push it in to break the seal and let a bit of air out. If you don't you may break your pump trying to push air back in.
2. The front tyre has a Presta valve as mentioned. When unscrewing the gold bit, slightly push it in to break the seal and let a bit of air out. If you don't you may break your pump trying to push air back in.
cheers guys - i thought there may be some cunning way to locate a leak but i guess spare tubes are an easy enough solution and it makes sense to go through the ballache of fixing the leak once at home as opposed to in the middle of a ride.
in terms of the different valves - i'll probably just replace the front tube with a tube which has a normal (like car) valve as suggested. why would anyone want two different types? and why would they even design a new type?
one final question - i assume there will be different sizes of inner tubes for different bikes? how do i know which one to get - will it be written on the tube?
in terms of the different valves - i'll probably just replace the front tube with a tube which has a normal (like car) valve as suggested. why would anyone want two different types? and why would they even design a new type?
one final question - i assume there will be different sizes of inner tubes for different bikes? how do i know which one to get - will it be written on the tube?
It will be written on the tyre & possibly the tube.
Your tyre will have something like 26x1.95 or 700cx23 written/moulded into the sidewall, just like a car.
You take this measurement to the bike shop and they'll give you an appropriate tube for your tyre. The inner tubes cover a range of cross section size so 26x1.5-1.75, but never wheel size.
The first measurement is the nominal wheel size (26 = 26 inches mainly mountain bikes) and the second is the cross section size of the tyre.
Your tyre will have something like 26x1.95 or 700cx23 written/moulded into the sidewall, just like a car.
You take this measurement to the bike shop and they'll give you an appropriate tube for your tyre. The inner tubes cover a range of cross section size so 26x1.5-1.75, but never wheel size.
The first measurement is the nominal wheel size (26 = 26 inches mainly mountain bikes) and the second is the cross section size of the tyre.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 24th August 12:13
2seas said:
cheers guys - i thought there may be some cunning way to locate a leak but i guess spare tubes are an easy enough solution and it makes sense to go through the ballache of fixing the leak once at home as opposed to in the middle of a ride.
in terms of the different valves - i'll probably just replace the front tube with a tube which has a normal (like car) valve as suggested. why would anyone want two different types? and why would they even design a new type?
one final question - i assume there will be different sizes of inner tubes for different bikes? how do i know which one to get - will it be written on the tube?
If you're changing valve types, make sure it's actually possible beforehand. Schrader valves won't fit in a rim that's drilled for presta valves, and putting a presta valve in a rim drilled for shrader valves will require one of these http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/wl.aspx?3&req=0-W... to fill the gap.in terms of the different valves - i'll probably just replace the front tube with a tube which has a normal (like car) valve as suggested. why would anyone want two different types? and why would they even design a new type?
one final question - i assume there will be different sizes of inner tubes for different bikes? how do i know which one to get - will it be written on the tube?
I recommend going for presta valves myself.
2seas said:
cheers guys, i've ordered a puncture repair kit from amazon and i'll wander down to my local bike shop after work to look for another tube. should have the bike ready for action soon enough.
get the top peak glueless patch kit from CRC. Its on sale at £1.50 at the moment and I swear by them. i use the park tools puncture repair kits, they are pretty much foolproof and very reliable. dont forget tyre levers....
as others have said, if you do get a puncture, its likely that with a bit of detective work you can find it before you have even removed the tyre, thorns, bits of glasss, shreds in the tyres are all giveaways...
as others have said, if you do get a puncture, its likely that with a bit of detective work you can find it before you have even removed the tyre, thorns, bits of glasss, shreds in the tyres are all giveaways...
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