If you own a bike there are a few simple things that you should really know how to do. It just makes life with a bike easier. Lets start with these 5 simple tasks. Master these skills and then move onto the next. Before you know it your bike knowledge will have really grown.
We love to see women learning bike tasks because this gives you confidence and will ease your mind while out riding. Meaning you can goRide more places, more often with a smile…
Easy to Learn Bike Tasks for Tyre Care
Tyre Pressure – Your tyre will naturally lose air over time so you must check it. How do you do this? Either give it a squeeze or push your thumb into your tyre and hopefully there won’t be too much “give”. It should be firm to pressure with enough air in it to keep your wheel protected while giving you a smooth, comfortable ride. Different types of riding requires different types of tyres and different tyre pressure. To learn what tyre pressure you need for your tyre look on the side wall.
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED: Bike Pump
LEARN MORE: Pumping Up a Tyre – A video
Tyre Tread – The tread on your tyre provides you with grip and will wear out over time and need replacing. Different tyres have different levels of grip generally based on the level of traction/ grip that you require for the types of environments you ride in. You require more traction in off-road environments than when riding on smooth even surfaces. You will find that one tyre might wear out quicker than the other. Just like on a car the tread on your bike tyres are important for your safety.
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED: N/A
LEARN MORE:
Wheel Off – To be able to get your wheel off and back onto your bike may seem a bit daunting but it is a super handy little thing to know. It can make transporting your bike easier. It is a must know for fixing a flat tyre (see #4) and makes working with your wheel much easier. This is another task made easy by a quick release but the tools are simple if you don’t have this.
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED: Wrench (if needed)
LEARN MORE: How to get your wheel off & back onto your bike
Removing your tyre – Your tyre needs to be removed from your wheel so you can either change your tyres or access the tube that will need replacement if you have a flat tyre. Some tyres can are easier to remove than others. You will need a seat of tyre levers to assist you.
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED: Tyre Levers
LEARN MORE: How use tyre levers
Flat tyre – following on nicely from a couple of the tasks above fixing a flat tyre is a combination of a few tasks. It is just a part of life when you own a bike or your kids have bikes – there will be flat tyres to deal with. To make this less of a chore and more of a task that will give you a sense of achievement we have put together a story that takes you through the steps involved
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED: tyre levers, spare tube or puncture repair kit, bike pump, adjustable spanner (if needed for removing wheel)
LEARN MORE: How to Fix a Flat Tyre
Squeezing a tyre to check the tyre pressure
Using a Mini Pump to pump up a tyre.
Different levels of tread on a bike tyre.
Removing your tyre so you can change your tyres or fix a puncture.
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