Electric Bike Action - August 2017

If you’ve never had a ;at tire, you haven’t ridden a bicycle much. It’s just something that will happen when you ride. Off-road riders seem to get them more, from thorns and pinch ;ats on the trails, but commuters will have them at least occasionally.

CHECK YOUR TIRES

Before each ride, check both the condition of your tires and the air pressure. If your tires are worn (i.e., if the tread is worn off or if there are cracks or wear in the sidewalls), it’s time to replace them. Without the tread, the tires can be very slippery in many conditions and can cause you to wipe out. They also have less protection against thorns and other jagged objects you may run over on a ride. If the sidewalls give out, you will have a ;at that can’t be ;xed on the road.

Check the air with a reliable gauge. Though you can get an idea of your tire pressure from a good ;oor pump, there are some great purpose-made digital gauges that can give you an accurate pressure reading. Many have both types of valve attachments— Schrader and Presta.

ESSENTIALS

If you own a bike, you need to have a few essential items to deal with your tires. You’ll de;nitely need a pump, but it’s better if you have two. Go to your bike shop and get a good ;oor pump, as it’s the fastest and easiest way to pump up your tubes. Most will have both types of valve attachments. While you’re there, pick up a smaller pump you can always carry with you, and make sure it’s the right type for your bike’s valve style. Some can mount on bottle-cage bosses for your frame, and others can be carried in a pack or a seat wedge.

As an alternative, if you’d rather, you can carry a CO2 cartridge pump with you. These ;ll tubes quickly and effortlessly, but you will have to carry a couple of cartridges with you.

There are some leaks that can’t be patched, so a spare tube is a must-have. Make sure you always have spare tubes in the right size for your bike. Have at least one at home and one that you carry on the bike or in a pack you always take.

A good patch kit can be a lifesaver on a ride. The advantage is that patching a tube means you don’t have to take the wheel FLAT TIRE Simple tips & tricks to doing it quickly

If your pump has a gauge, it’s a starting point, but they’re usually not completely accurate.

Before every ride, check the condition of your tires. Is there enough tread? Are the sidewalls in good shape, or are there cracks or other wear?

If you have a bicycle, you need a ;oor pump. A good-quality one will last for years, and many have both types of valve attachments Check your tire pressure before every ride. We recommend a good digital gauge for accuracy.