Fixing a Flat

So we did go to Bicycle Village for their basic bicycle maintenance class. I imagine that during the summer, especially after a bicycle sale, that the class was just that, a class. As it was, Pi Guy and I were the only two that showed up.

The “instructor” (more like “guide”), Michael, was very friendly and was good enough to ask what it was that we were interested in learning. He went to the bikes on the show room racks while we waited in the maintenance area, and pulled down a Trek hybrid to use as a demonstration model.

We started with how to change out a flat. This particular Trek bicycle had the skinny Presta valve, as opposed to the fatter Schrader valves. Because the rear tire has the mystique of the derailleur chain rings, Mike used this wheel to demonstrate.

He shifted both derailleurs to the smallest chain rings, and showed us how to remove the brake cable from the linear pull brake. He let out almost all the air from the tube, and then with a flip of the wheel release lever, removed the tire from the frame. He also said that on the road, one could release the wheel, and lift the frame from the wheel.

Placing the wheel on the bench he removed the ring nut from the valve stem (Schrader valves don’t have that ring nut). Mike said that it would be good to notice the orientation of the tire on the wheel. He usually aligns the brand name with the valve stem.

Beginning opposite the valve stem, with a rim tool, he lifted the tire bead from the rim, then repeating the process with the remaining bead. Leaving the tube inside the tire he removed both tire and tube from the rim. Mike removed the tube from the tire and inflated the tube slightly. This is where the tire/tube/wheel orientation is important.

I looked at Pi Guy, to gage his attentiveness. He nodded his affirmation.

Mike said to check the tube as best as possible listening (or looking, if water is available) for leaking air. Then checking the relative alignment of the leak to the tire, he would check inside the tire for any protrusion; he would also check the rest of the tire inside for any other imperfections to be removed. If there were a hole in the tire it would need to be covered over to avoid pinching or chafing the tube. He mentioned duct tape as a possibility. (Even a bill of any currency denomination would work.)

Replacing the tire next time.