Puncture help

[lectureral]

I have just had my first puncture - front wheel of my RALEIGH Leicester E de luxe (a version of Kalkhoff Agutta) - before I set to can anyone advise me about the dynamo connection - does it unplug at the dynamo?

 

[Fecn]

Yes - If you can get your fingernails either side of it, the little grey plug at the side of the dynamo just pulls out... at least it does on my Agattu

 

[Mussels]

You should be able to fix it easily without taking the wheel off, worth a try first.

 

[JohnInStockie]

I wouldnt consider fixing a puncture without taking the wheel off. I dnt know whether its just what I am used to, but its much easier on your back if you flip it over, take the wheel off, and repair at your leisure (thats what I do at the roadside too).

Am I missing an easier method?

John

 

[flecc]

And in the trade and since I almost always mend a puncture with the wheel in, and could never have completed all needed in the time available if I'd taken wheels out.

Still flip the bike over of course, releasing the brake cable outer if a rim brake is fitted. Then the tyre can be taken off on one side, the tube freed and pumped to locate the puncture. There's plenty of room to pass the tube around rotated with the wheel, and with a slow puncture a water bowl can easily be used to locate the air leak. Once located, the tube can be laid across the tyre with the puncture point at the convenient height for repair, so no back breaking bending down needed.

Then refit is just as easy. Doing it this way has the advantage of having the wheel held firmly for you and it does leave all the settings undisturbed on a rear wheel, gear cable, chain etc.
.

 

[lectureral]

Thanks guys - I am now fully inflated again - since it was the front I took the wheel off (thanks Fecn) but thanks also for your tip Flecc - I would never have considered doing it with the wheel still attached and I suspect that the balance of convenience shifts to that method when I come to a rear tyre.

The tyres fitted are Schwalbe Marathon Racers - do these have any extra puncture protection inbuilt or would I be better getting Marathon Plus to avoid punctures?

 

[JohnInStockie]

I have the racers on my Pro Connect. I think they have Kevlar inbuilt too, not as good (on paper) as Marathon Plus's, but I find them quite effective indeed (uh-oh, I am tryin to doom myself here..)

John

 

[lectureral]

Thanks John - I'll see how it goes. I have had about 5 punctures to repair this year (2 on my MTB and 2 on the pushchair + this one). Oh for steel-belted radials - the last puncture I had in a car was in 1975 - about 300,000 miles ago.