View Single Post
Old 08-26-13 | 07:28 AM
  #8  
cny-bikeman
Mechanic/Tourist
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,522
Likes: 12
From: Syracuse, NY

Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.

Originally Posted by Turtle Speed
This is my favorite flat-repair video.
Favorite for what reason - humor? I really have to get a video up if you consider this one good. Not sure I'm hitting every mistake, but:
1. He makes no prep to make removal easier, such as making sure the tire is not stuck to the rim or moving the bead to the center.
2. The easiest removal is accomplished by starting near the valve rather than opposite.
3. Sliding a tire lever along the inside may not generally cause a problem, but it's not the best practice, and not all tires can be removed with a single lever. Using two levers and then removing by hand is preferable.
4. He pulls out the tube and tosses it aside and then checks the tire randomly for problems, when it's much better to lay the tube right back on top of the tire and inflate, so you can correlate the puncture location to the tire and rim.
5. He makes no reference to looking at the appearance of the puncture so as to narrow down possible causes and prevent future problems.
6. As a mechanic I used my well-calloused fingers to feel for puncture hazards, but always cautioned non-mechanics to do so very carefully, lest one slice open a finger on a piece of glass.
7. As with removal, where one starts near the valve, it's best to end near the valve. The valve prevents pushing the tire bead fully into the smaller diameter portion of the rim when one works opposite the valve.
8. Finally, one has not fixed the flat until the tire is re-inflated, which can be the most problematic part for many people.

Last edited by cny-bikeman; 08-26-13 at 09:04 AM.
cny-bikeman is offline  
Reply