When a flat tyre is applied to a heavy off-road bike, it means there’s more than one thing to be worried about. Not only do they need to take into account the amount of weight that’s in the bike, but also the possibility of collapsing under the enormous weight of all that weight, so the owner of the bike needs to think about a bit of advice and practical knowledge to help him avoid problems and put the bike back into action.
The first thing that needs to be done when a flat tyre is found is to inspect the condition of the tyre. Depending on the weight of the bike, the weight of the flat tyre will vary in some way. Check the tread depth and make sure it hasn’t slipped too far down; any good tyres will have a very tight-fitting rubber border.
The next step is to take off the tyre to check for any cuts or tears in the casing, where it is going to stick out. If there are cuts, make sure they are all water-soaked before you apply any lubricant to them.
If this is the first time you’ve used a bike with tyres then you may want to look at renting a cycle; a bit of an adventure, but one that can provide you with a crash course in cycle maintenance and manoeuvring. It’s never a good idea to hire a bike if you’re a beginner, so learn as much as you can, and also ask someone who’s done it once before. Sometimes the world of offroad bikes is a little more complicated than a road bike, and there are specific points you should know to avoid.
Always use an air compressor to remove excess air from a tyre to prevent internal leaks, because if any of that gas seeps out, it will ignite and blow the tyre off. When it comes to actually removing the tyre, pull back on the rim without trying to detach the tyre.
Place the tyre on its side by putting some twist ties across the rim. Try to hold the type in one hand and the twist tie in the other; this will give a lot of resistance to the tyre when you turn it upside down. Twist ties are also quite handy if you fall and get a nasty puncture, so not to worry if you do get a puncture, the twist ties can sometimes be replaced for a few dollars.
Now, taking the tyre off, take the cap off as well. You don’t need to do this, but it’s something you should consider if you plan to carry any fuel or propane around with you. Also, keep in mind, if you plan to carry small bags, it would be a good idea to check the tyre for any large scratches, and if you need to put in more than one bag, then you’ll need to leave the cap on to ensure that they don’t rub together.
Make sure that you disconnect the screws in the tyre, so that they can’t go flying up into your face when you fall over the handlebars. Also, turn the bike on and see how it feels; if it’s not completely comfortable then you’ll want to change to another tyre.
In order to properly check the tyre for any punctures, you will need to remove the bolt holding the tyre in place. Then, using a screwdriver, unscrew the tyre and remove it. You’ll need to put in the new tyre in the same way you put in a new one, making sure that the tyre fits on securely without any loose ends.
After you put the tyre in correctly, tighten the bolts again to ensure it’s secure. And that’s all there is to keeping your tyres secure and to ensure you’ll never have flat tyres again.
Toe straps are another important part of bike maintenance. If you ride a bike regularly and have flats it’s very important to know how to get them on and off your bike, and also how to make sure you can get them off quickly and easily. You’ll need to have them on your bike before you go riding, but after you stop and take them off.
A few people prefer to use cheap ways of securing their toe straps, but if you’re careful and careful it’s not necessary. Only put your foot down on the footpeg once when you are halfway up a hill to test how easy they are to get on and off the bike.