Bicycle tire maintenance, are you doing it?
Bicycle tire maintenance should be on the top list of your bike safety inspection. This is only part of the bicycle inspection you should make before any excursion. There would be no sense in following riding safety rules and wearing cycling safety gear if your bicycle is not in a safe operating condition.
Bicycle Tire Maintenance
Bicycle tire manufacturing has evolved with the rest of today’s technology. The result of this science is a superior tire made for every purpose. Whether they are made for comfort or for a specific style of riding, they will not last very long if you neglect to carry out basic bike tire maintenance.
Start with doing a visual check, looking for abnormal wear or cracks. If you think your tire needs replacement based on this check up, you should follow your instincts. You may bring your tires to your local bike shop for a second opinion. While doing your visual inspection, check for proper tire inflation by using a tire gauge suited for testing air pressure in bicycle tires. The recommended minimum and maximum tire pressure should be marked on the sidewall. The maximum pressure will of course carry the maximum load capacity of your bicycle.
Should you need to replace a bike tire, you will need to provide the size to the supplier. You may discuss your style of riding, the type of bicycle you have so your bicycle tire supplier can offer you the correct tire. You may be looking for a comfort ride, off road riding or a long trek competition tire. The fact is you can buy a bicycle tire that will make your ride a much better experience.
If your tire is flat, you will have to check the cause. The tube may have a puncture in it or the valve may need to be replaced. If there is no valve cover, dirt will get into the valve stem and damage the valve seats. You will have to replace the valve insert. If your tube has a puncture, you may also want to check for the cause before doing the repair. Inspect the tire for foreign objects like a nail or glass. You should also inspect the rim for spokes that may have unwound to the point they will stick into the tube and cause another leak if not repaired.
Remember, this is only a small part of the bicycle inspection you should routinely perform on a regular basis. Your experiences as a cyclist will be more pleasant when your bicycle performs like it is designed to do. Bicycle tire maintenance before each cycling trip may help you avoid a walk back home pushing a wobbling bike with deflated tires.
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