Basic (?flat) tyre question

mel.b

Warning...female, unmechanically minded question ahead:o

I've been riding my bike (a hybrid) on the turbo for tha past week. Last night i noticed the rear tyre was flat. I walked the bike down to the local garage this morning to pump it up. When i did, i noticed the tyre bulging around near the valve. I thought maybe i had pumped it up too much so i let the air out and started again, this time not putting as much air in, however the bulge was still there. It was less than a km to ride to work, so i did and noticed that it felt like a was going over a bump each time, which i assume was the bulge. The tyre was still pumped up though when i got to work. Do i have a puncture (i wouldn't have thought the tyre would stay pumped up) or something else (did i damage it pumping it up too much?) i can take the bike to the LBS tonight, but i would like to know what to tell them is wrong (other than a vauge female description:p)

Thanks, Mel.b

seamus

It's not a puncture if the air stays in, it just sounds like your tyre has become partially unseated from riding on it flat. It's fairly common for it to bulge out at the valve if it's not seated properly.

Actually very easy to fix, but not that easy to describe. You will need to deflate it again at least halfway to fix. Push the valve back up into the wheel about 50% of the way, and then push down on the tyre at the bulge. It should pop into place with a fairly satisfying click. Then just pump it up again. If this doesn't seem to be working, then bring it to the LBS and ask them to show you how to fix it.

I wouldn't ride on it. I know it's only a KM, but if the tube pops out while riding, it'll catch on everything and stop the back wheel dead, which could land you on your arse.

mel.b

Thanks, that sounds like it

manwithaplan

This can happen if you pump up a tube with the valve nut tightened against the rim. Loosen that nut and only tighten it after the tyre is fully inflated.

Edit - if you were using a garage pump, it probably means you have schrader valves (shorter, fatter valves) that usually don't have that nut. Just in case you start worrying that you're missing something!

Lumen

manwithaplan wrote: »

This can happen if you pump up a tube with the valve nut tightened against the rim. Loosen that nut and only tighten it after the tyre is fully inflated.

Better still remove the nut and chuck it away, along with the valve cap.

Valve nuts are only useful if the valve is too short for the rim.

mel.b

I came out of work tonight and the baxk tyre was flat again:( soinds like a puncture then? Looks like i now have to learn have to change it! Can someone tell me what tools i need and direct me to a good you tube clip for instructioins?

Dietmar Hamann

http://dobsc400.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Changa-a-Bike-Tube---an-Illustrated-Guide

Hope this helps:)

moggs1972

have you been using a normal tyre on the back wheel while on the turbo? turbos eat regular tyres so it could be that the tyre is damaged.

victorcarrera

Trainers are very severe on road tyres and can generate a lot of heat. Check the tyre for any weak points and inspect the inside of the tyre for stretch marks.
Maybe someone can confirm if hybrid tyres and pressures are suitable for use on a trainer.

mel.b

Thanks i've really only been riding the bike on the turbo for the past week and i'm not riding it particulary hard. The tyre looks ok. I will get a new tube tomorrow a d some tyre levers and see how i get on after i change it.

mel.b

Just to follow this up, i went down to my LBS tonight and they were really really helpful, so thumbs up to Top Cycle in Ennis. I explained the problem so Paul suggested to bring the wheel in so he could have a look at it. He then spent time showing me how to take the wheel off (as I had never done it before) and even lent me his spanner so I could do it:P. When I took the wheel in, he spent close to 40min with me showing me how to replace the tube (there was a small hole in the tube caused by pinching but we are not sure how it happened), explaining the tube sizes etc. Really really top service:D I got the wheel home and then attempted to put it back on, but somehow have managed to knock the rear derailleur out of alignment. I had a look at some google instructions but decided it is too much for my budding mechanical skills so will be taking the whole bike in tomorrow to see if they can adjust it for me.