I ran into my first problem

[flecc]

No, not punctures Ian, it's just something to do in retirement when there's nothing on the telly.
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[at221]

hi flecc,

can you post me a dummies guide to how to get the rear wheel off. There seems to be quite a few connections to dismantle.

 

[flecc]

I've already done it Andy, on the previous page at 9.34 pm on the 30th April. Here's the link to it.
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[at221]

Yes I see now. I thought it was all for the front wheel. But I think I can do it. A few more newbie questions though:

All the air seems to have already escaped from my rear wheel. And basically the whole tyre seems flattened. I was just wondering if I need the replace the tube inside the tyre (isnt it the tube that is responsible for keeping the type hard).

Sorry for this newbie misunderstanding

 

[flecc]

The tube is indeed punctured Andy, but you can normally repair it. In fact you can do it without taking the wheel out if the tyres are the same type already. You'll need a puncture outfit, from any bike shop. With the bike upside down, just release the brake, take the non cable side of the tyre off the rim as I've described, then pull the tube from the rim and free the valve as described, so the tube sits between the wheel and frame.

Now pump some air into the tube and you'll hear it escaping from the spot where it's punctured. Clean the tube area at the puncture point with the little bit of sand paper that's in the puncture outfit. Then select a suitable size patch for it and take off any protective paper or foil from it's contact surface. Open the tube of rubber solution and put a little spot on the patch surface and quickly smooth it over the surface with a finger tip. Don't dally since it will start setting quickly. Then do the same on the punctured area of the tube, covering an area a bit bigger than the patch. Let the rubber solution completely dry on both.

When they are completely dry, centre the patch over the puncture hole and press the patch firmly in place, it will bond instantly. Take the small block of French chalk and either rub it against the rasp area on he puncture outfit box or scrape it with a knife edge to let a shower of a few chalk particles cover the patch and solution area. Smooth that over the area so there's no sticky surface left that might glue inside the tyre.

Pump just a little air into the tube to give it a tiny amount of pressure and ascertain there are no more leaks. The traditional way is by passing it through a bowl of water to let any stream of air bubbles show up. A less messy way is to use the lips, the most sensitive part of your skin, by passing the tube in front of your lips about half an inch away. The lips can detect the slightest air stream. Do this over an area covering a few inches either side of your original puncture.

Now release most of the air from the tube. Place your finger tips of one hand inside the tyre against the inside of the tread area and rotate the wheel right round, feeling for what caused the puncture, nail, stone, glass or thorn. If and when you locate it, prise it out from the tyre tread side.

Finally place the tube back into the tyre and proceed as I've already described to put the tyre back onto the rim and pump it.

 

[MaryinScotland]

The lips can detect the slightest air stream.

Thanks for that tip, Flecc. I've always used my eyes for leak-spotting, as they are also sensitive to air currents. But these days I'm more likely to be wearing glasses to do this job, so lips would be better!
Mary

 

[flecc]

A pleasure Mary, the lip sensation is the same, a cooling spot where the air strikes. The lips are one of our main coolers for heat radiation loss, hence the equatorial peoples' physiology, wide nostrils passing the outward breath across broad prominent lips to extract surplus heat. We have to use panama hats to cope.
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[Ian]

The lips are one of our main coolers for heat radiation loss, hence the equatorial peoples' physiology, wide nostrils passing the outward breath across broad prominent lips to extract surplus heat
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Well I'm amazed! the things one learns on e-bike forums

 

[at221]

i ve tried to dismantle today and managed to get the tube out from under the tyre. But i cannot seperate the tube from the bike as i havent quite managed to dismantle the spindle. Also i forgot tp get a bump so i decided to call it a day.

 

[flecc]

You don't need to take the tube out just to repair the puncture Andy, leave the wheel in place. Just follow the tube repair procedure that I described with the tube in place. You can work it around between the wheel and frame in order to do that, and also replace it afterwards.

The only time the wheel needs to come out is for a replacement tyre or tube, not for a puncture.

 

[MaryinScotland]

The only time the wheel needs to come out is for a replacement tyre or tube, not for a puncture.

-- And it is (or used to be) possible to replace a tube without taking the wheel out. You need to shop around for easy-fit tubes (can't remember the official name, but Halfords made them) which are not circular but straight, with tapered ends. You feed it into the tyre, work it around, and the ends overlap to give you effectively a circular tube.

I carried one as a spare for a long time, but as you'd expect, never had a puncture with that bike! I don't have any at the moment, but given the reminder, I might look around to see if they're still available.

Mary

 

[flecc]

Quite right Mary, good suggestion. I haven't seen these for years, but they're probably still around somewhere. Odd that they never became more popular, though they could do yet for electric bike hub motor wheels.
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[at221]

My bike is up and running again. Didn't get to use your tyres in the end but will keep them safe. Cheers people especiallly flecc.

 

[flecc]

A pleasure Andy, you've taken your first step to expert. You'll find most cycle jobs are much easier than they might seem at first, and you'll feel more confident now for other jobs in future. We are always here to help you through any difficulties.
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[electric.mike]

flecc

A pleasure Andy, you've taken your first step to expert.

hope not i was told the defination of a expert--- ex, is a has been, spert is a drip under pressure

i no i cheated with the spelling
mike

 

[flecc]

Spell it how you like Mike, jokes are for telling, not for spelling.
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