Category Archives: Maintenance

Bike maintenance is key activity in your love life with your trusty machine.

Flat tyres are irritating – Part 1

The Breakaway

Godamit!!!!….I’ve got another <<insert expletive of choice>> flat. If you ride on the road its inevitable that you’ll have this happen, much taxes, death and Richmond not winning AFL premierships.

The Leadout

This is the first part of a two part blogfest on flat tyres. The first part focuses on the types of flats and the second explains what you might be able to do avoid them.

Slow Leaks

  • First symptom of this kind of problem, is that the tire will need to be pumped up more often than it should and its starting to drive you mad :-).
  • However It is normal for a tube to lose air over a period of weeks. Racing bike owners you should check the pressure at least once per week.
  • Slow leaks that take more than an hour to go down can be tough to find, its better to install a new tube.
  • This type of flat is not normally associated with severe tire or rim damage.

Punctures

  • Typically caused by glass, thorns, nails, staples, screws. Basically anything sharp can cause a puncture.
  • Depending on how big the hole is, the tyre can deflate very quickly. Usually these are easily located and repaired with patch kit.
  • This type of flat is not normally associated with severe tire or rim damage.

Pinch Flats

  • This type of flat is caused by rapid compression of the tube between your rim and a hard surface.
  • Known as ‘snakebites,’ these are dramatic, audible flats that deflate quickly.
  • These are difficult to repair with patches quickly. You may have to replace tube or use oval patches.
  • There’s really good chance you also have rim damage as well.

Blowouts

  • Blowouts are sudden losses of air, usually accompanied by a loud BANG!
  • Since the inner tube is just a rubber balloon, and does take much pressure by itself, it needs to be held inside of a tire to get up to full pressure.
  • If the tire doesn’t hold the tube in all around, the tube will pop. If this happens you’ll need a new tube.

Tire Damage

  • Improperly adjusted brakes can rub through tire and cause tube to blow out of tire.
  • Maintaining proper tire pressure helps prevent flats and maximizes rolling efficiency.
  • Worn tires leave less rubber between the tube and the road, decreasing flat protection

Rims

  • Spokes and sharp spots on the inside wall of the rim can cause flats.
  • Recurring flats are usually caused by sharp metal on the rim or part of a spoke.
  • Use a file or sandpaper to buff off the sharp spot and remove any burrs.
  • Its also worth replacing the rim tape.

Valve Damage

  • Any part of the valve and stem can get damaged through abuse or overuse, through which air can leak.
  • Sealants don’t typically work well on damaged valves. It’s time for a new tube.

Sidewall Cuts

  • The sidewall of a tire is not designed to contact anything, and is not durable like the tread of a tire.
  • This type of damage usually happens when you load your bike onto a vehicle, or leans it against something, like a curb, bench, or wall.
  • Once this happens, you’ll need to buy a new tyre.

Keeping your machine on the road

Look after your bike and reap the rewards

The Lead Out

One of the keys to keeping your trusty machine or machines in tip-top condition is regular preventive and corrective maintenance.  Now if you are time poor, like me, maintenance is usually something done at the my local bike shop, by a mechanic with the right tools and skills, whilst I’m holiday.  Basic stuff like lubing the chain and fixing punctures is about as far as I go.  However, I know there are many riders out there that love fitting upgraded gig.  If you are in that category, don’t bother reading on from this point.

The Breakaway

There are simple checks that you can do that will help maintain your bike and ensure that your bike is good working order.  The three minute check is probably something you are already doing sub-consciously.

The Peloton

The good thing about doing preventive maintenance and checking is that it might just save you money and time.  I’ve recently started riding my old Giant Sedona mountain bike to work.  I bought it in 1997 and its still going strong thanks to regular maintenance.

The 3- minute check

These are a good idea for a pre-race or ride check.  I try to do these the evening before going on a early morning ride.  I’ve forgotten how times I’ve had to pump up the tires or switch over dead lights at the last minute and thought ‘Gee, I wish I had done this last night.’

  1. Tyres should feel very firm to touch. The correct pressure is written on the sidewall of each tyre.
  2. Check the seat is at the correct height and the seat post is tightly inserted at least 5cm into the frame.
  3. Lift the handlebars, spin the front wheel, apply the brakes and check that the:
        • Wheel is properly secured in the forks
        • Quick release levers are secure
        • Wheel rotates freely without rubbing on the brakes
        • Gears and brakes operate smoothly and directly.
  4. Lift the seat, turn the pedals, spin the rear wheel, operate the gears and brakes, and apply the above four stage test again.
  5. If you are riding in light reduced conditions or bad weather, check your lights are charged and that your mud guards are secured tightly.
  6. Check that you have your pump and spare inner tube/puncture kit in good order.
  7. If you are riding a bike with suspension, check the ‘flex’ in front forks or rear frame for leaks or unexpected travel.

Weekly to Monthly maintenance

I’ve been doing this intermittently:

    • Cleaning and lubricating the chain.  If you are using an aerosol, make sure you don’t use it an area like carpet (nasty stains) or floor boards/vinyl (slippery surface).  My wife is still grumpy with me from the last time I did this.
    • Checking wheel spokes and eyelets for rust or damage
    • Checking tyre pressures, particularly before take out a machine you haven’t ridden for a while.
    • Checking tyres for wear, splits or perishing in the rubber.
    • Check ingwheel bearings, chain, gear cluster, front cogs and head stem handlebars.
    • If you own a bike with suspension this is good one to check regularly.

These are typically what I get my local mechanic to look at:

    • The wheel bearings, chain, gear cluster (back chain wheels), chain rings (front cogs) and head stem (handlebars).
    • Determine whether the chain needs replacing.  Keep in mind that the chain and gear cluster tend y wear out evenly, so this may need replacing as well.