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31 Fixing a Flat Tyre 1 Releasing the brakes Opening quick release lever Regular wheel nut If you get a flat while out on a cycle you need to be able to fix it or get someone to come and rescue you! Assuming you want to avoid the latter - here is a step by step guide to fixing a flat tyre. If you get a flat it’s normal to replace the punctured inner tube with a new one. You can bring the punctured one home and repair it later if you want. This section describes the steps required to replace an inner tube. Step 1. Release the Brakes Firstly it is usually necessary to release the brakes to allow the wheel to pass through them. On road bikes you can normally do this by flipping the little lever for this purpose. On other bikes you will need to release the cable. Step 2. Take the wheel off the bike Next turn the bike upside down. If your bike has quick release wheels, the wheel can be removed by opening the quick release lever by hand. You may also need to loosen the nut a little to allow the wheel to come off. If the wheel is attached by a regular nut it will have to be undone with a spanner. If you have to take off the back wheel it’s a bit more complicated, because you need to get the wheel past the chain. If your bike has multiple gears, change into the smallest cog to make it easier to get the wheel off. Step 3. Lever tyre off rim When the wheel is off you need to lever the tyre off the rim on one side to get the tube out. If the tyre is not fully deflated by now, open the valve and release any residual air. To get the tyre off, first squeeze the edges of the tyre inwards from the edge of the wheel rim. Do this right around the tyre. This makes the tyre easier to remove. Then insert a tyre lever between the wheel rim and the tyre, and lever the edge of the tyre up over the rim. The tyre lever usually has a little hook on the end which can be hooked onto a spoke to hold it in place. Now get another tyre lever and insert it a bit further along to lever another bit of tyre past the rim. This can sometimes be quite difficult and often requires a lot of force. After you have a fairly large section of tyre up over the rim, get a third tyre lever and start to lever the rest of the tyre off, working your way around until the whole of one side of the tyre is over the rim. 2
3 Removing tyre with tyre levers Removing the tube Fitting the new inner tube Refitting the tyre Step 4. Remove the inner tube Now you will be able to remove the inner tube. First push the tyre valve through the hole in the wheel where it sits and pull the inner tube out from between the wheel and the tyre. Step 5. Fit the new inner tube Before you put in a new inner tube it is essential that you feel with your fingers around the inside of the tyre to see if whatever punctured your tube is still stuck in the tyre. For example a thorn or piece of glass may have become lodged in the tyre and when you put in a new tube and pump your tyre it may get punctured again straight away. When doing this, move your fingers slowly and gently around the inside of the tyre to avoid cutting yourself if a sharp object is protruding. After you have checked the tyre and removed any sharp object, put a small bit of air into the new tube to give it shape before easing it back into the tyre. Firstly, put the valve back through the hole in the wheel and then work the tube in all the way round the tyre. Step 6. Refit the tyre Next you need to get the tyre back onto the wheel. Firstly push the tyre on where the valve is located and make sure the valve and the edge of the tyre are fully seated at this location. Pull the valve out fully and if there is a retaining ring, screw this down fully to keep the valve in place. Then push the tyre onto the wheel all the way round with your fingers until it becomes too difficult to get any more of the tyre on. At this stage you may need to use the tyre levers to get the last part of the tyre on. At this point it is essential that you don’t get the tube caught between the outer tyre and the rim. If this happens the tube can get nipped and it can rupture as soon as you start pumping it again. Pump the tyre and check that it remains hard. Once the tyre has been pumped, refit the wheel, making sure it is firmly attached and reattach the brakes. 4 5 DID YOU KNOW? <strong>Cycling</strong> is a relatively inexpensive activity to engage in. While there may be an initial cost of purchasing a bike, the upkeep and maintenance is very cheap. Also, a good bicycle will last you decades. 6 32
Page 1 and 2: Discover Cycling An introduction to
Page 3 and 4: Acknowledgements Getting Started 5
Page 5 and 6: One of the features of this guide i
Page 7 and 8: Choosing and Buying a Bike Your cho
Page 9 and 10: Buying a Bike Although the prices a
Page 11 and 12: Accessories, Clothing and Footwear
Page 13 and 14: DID YOU KNOW? Cycling is a good for
Page 15 and 16: Shoes On a bike with ordinary flat
Page 17 and 18: What if I don’t know the area whe
Page 19 and 20: Waymarked Cycle Routes 18
Page 21 and 22: Off-Road Cycling There are various
Page 23 and 24: Safety When cycling, it is importan
Page 25 and 26: There are a few important points to
Page 27 and 28: Saves money - by cycling you will s
Page 29 and 30: Bike to Work Scheme To help promote
Page 31: Clean and Lubricate To prevent a bu
Page 35 and 36: Cycling Ireland All recognised cycl
Page 37 and 38: The An Post Cycle Series has seen o
Page 39 and 40: Cycle Touring/Cycling Holidays If y
Page 41 and 42: 4 Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
Page 43 and 44: Web Guide www.irishtrails.ie irisht
Page 45 and 46: National Trails Day National Trails
Page 48 and 49: 47 Useful Contacts & Websites WEBSI
Page 50 and 51: 49 Summary of Bike Types Road Bike/
Page 52 and 53: 51 Flat Bar Street Bike Description
Page 54 and 55: 53 Guide to Bike Parts The picture
Page 56: National Trails Office Irish Sports

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