Bicycle Tire Maintenance in Arjan, Al Barsha, Dubai

A tire is a ring-shaped structure that surrounds a wheel’s rim to transfer a bicycle’s load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and provide traction on the surface over which the wheel travels. Most bicycle tires are inflatable structures that offer a flexible cushion, absorbing shock as the tire rolls over rough surfaces. Tires also create a footprint, or contact patch, designed to distribute the bicycle’s weight across the surface, providing pressure that avoids marking the surface severely.

A bicycle tire consists of three main components: the carcass, the bead core, and the rubber tread. Almost all tires are equipped with a puncture protection belt. You have three tire options for your road bike, depending on the type of wheel you plan to use:

• Clincher tires: The most common type, featuring an inner tube and an open casing that hooks onto the rim.
• Tubular tires: These are sewn shut around the inner tube and glued onto a special rim.
• Tubeless tires: They do not require an inner tube and rely on a tight seal with the rim for inflation.

Before fixing a flat tire on your bike, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the components of the wheel. The majority of bike wheels you’ll encounter consist of four parts:

• The tire: The outer rubber part that contacts the ground.
• The inner tube: A separate inflatable tube placed inside the tire.
• The wheel: This includes the hub, spokes, and rim, providing structural support to the tire.
• The rim strip: A protective strip placed over the spoke holes to prevent punctures from within the tire.

Bike Tire Maintenance – Check the Tire Condition Regularly

You should change the tires when you notice a change in the way the bike handles, or at the very latest when the tread is worn down to the wear bars. Under-inflated tires will overheat and may fail, while over-inflated tires provide less grip.

• Ideally, check tire pressure before and after every ride. Commit to a weekly checking routine.
• Replace the tires if there is rapid pressure loss.
• Always change tires in sets. Both tires endure the same stresses and rigors of road riding.

Bicycle Tire Maintenance – Fix a Flat Tire for Bicycle

Position yourself on the non-drive side of your bike and either open the quick release or unthread the tire thru-axle to remove the wheel. Start by removing the wheel. Keep your bike upright, and if it’s a rear-wheel flat, shift your drivetrain onto the hardest gear.

• If your bike has rim brakes (common on many mountain bikes), you may also need to loosen the brake.

Bike Tire Maintenance – Patching Tubes for Bike

To patch a tube, start by locating the hole. Pump air into the tube, then listen and feel for the leak. Mark the hole with chalk or hold it under your finger. Use sandpaper or another abrasive to roughen the surface around the hole.

• Apply glue slightly larger than the size of the patch, centered around the hole, and allow two to three minutes for the glue to set. The glue should turn cloudy.
• Press the patch firmly onto the tube, holding it in place for about three minutes. This will ensure the patch holds properly.
• For extra security, place the patched tube between two books and put a heavy object on top if you are at home.
• Check that the patch is bonded all the way around to prevent glue from sticking to the inside of the tire.

Properly applied patches can last indefinitely.