#286. Is it a quantity surveyor?
Posted November 17, 2005, 20:56 CET
So imagine that my travels in the universe through space and time are plotted by a blue line. So you have this blue line that goes wee willy willy all around the place. Now imagine my evil doppelganger, also travelling through time and space. He is plotted by a red line. Well, today 17th November 2005, at the Hilton Dublin taxi rank, the blue and red lines intersected.
I have a puncture in my back wheel that I can't find. I've already patched it up twice this week and there's no sign of the offending sharp thing. I reckon I need a new tube. And possibly a new tyre too. How much will this cost? Is it worth the hassle of doing it myself or will I get Bicycle Repair Man to do it?
Comment from Malcolm
on November 18, 2005, 13:08 CET
Uh huh, tubes are cheap. They shouldn't cost you much more than a fiver.
Don't go buying a new tyre unless the old one is bald or otherwise shot to hell. As Ste said, check really carefully for tiny pieces of glass inside the tyre.
You may not really need to take off the back wheel. I try to avoid it if I can, since I don't have a quick release mechanism. Back wheels are a bit of a pain to remove what with the gears and chain and all.
Don't go buying a new tyre unless the old one is bald or otherwise shot to hell. As Ste said, check really carefully for tiny pieces of glass inside the tyre.
You may not really need to take off the back wheel. I try to avoid it if I can, since I don't have a quick release mechanism. Back wheels are a bit of a pain to remove what with the gears and chain and all.
Comment from Dave
on November 21, 2005, 06:04 CET
Fill a bucket or a basin with water and put the (half-inflated) punctured tube in it, then follow the bubbles. The best way to make sure the tyre is okay is to turn it inside out and run your fingers around the lining until one of them starts bleeding. Good luck!
Comment from Spacetweek on November 21, 2005, 15:26 CET
Comment from Ste
>it's ten years of inflation
That would result in a really really big tyre.
>it's ten years of inflation
That would result in a really really big tyre.
Comment from mackers
on November 22, 2005, 21:01 CET
Ste: No offending item was found. Strange thing was that the punctures where all on the inside, meaning a type-compromise was not to blame.
Malcolm: I ended up buying a new tube and getting them to put it in. €10 parts and service. How can you replace the tube without taking off the wheel?
Dave: Yeah, been through the bucket-of-water-dance. Gave me a sore neck with nothing to show for it. The trick may be to use a basin, which is easier to spot the bubbles in.
Spaceboy: Kertishhhh!
Malcolm: I ended up buying a new tube and getting them to put it in. €10 parts and service. How can you replace the tube without taking off the wheel?
Dave: Yeah, been through the bucket-of-water-dance. Gave me a sore neck with nothing to show for it. The trick may be to use a basin, which is easier to spot the bubbles in.
Spaceboy: Kertishhhh!
Comment from Malcolm
on November 23, 2005, 20:46 CET
10 euro sounds about right.
(Oh and I meant you can fix a puncture without taking the wheel off.)
(Oh and I meant you can fix a puncture without taking the wheel off.)
Inner tubes are inexpensive enough as I recall, tho' it's ten years of inflation and a whole new currency since I had occasion to buy one (for about 3 pound) but I'd be sure to find the offending pokey thing before fitting it.
Best way to do that is to take the wheel off, remove the tyre altogether and spend as long as it takes running your fingers around the inside till you find it.
Besides, Bicycle Repair Man will only help you if you're dressed as Superman.