Changing tube and tyre

rumbataz

I've only ever once changed tyres on my hybrid and it went okay and I've had no tube or tyre issues for the last two years.

However, I need to make sure I do everything right as it was just a bit of common sense previously but I want to do things properly this time around when I change both the inner tubes and tyres with new ones.

I have tyre levers and a floor pump. Apart from the basics of changing inner tubes and tyres, is there anything I need to be aware of or follow in term of good practice?

qube

Decals on tyre and wheel opposite each other.

cooldad

Logo needs to lined up with the valve, or people will point and laugh at you.

More seriously, it helps to find the valve easily in crappy weather/visibilty/tired old eyes.

larkim

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19758242#p19758242]cooldad[/url] wrote:

Logo needs to lined up with the valve, or people will point and laugh at you.

More seriously, it helps to find the valve easily in crappy weather/visibilty/tired old eyes.

And can help with locating the thorn that caused the next puncture that's still embedded into the tyre.

.blitz

Yeah the valve absolutely needs to be lined up with the manufacturer's logo (not the name of the tyre)

And look out for the barely visible rotation arrow make sure you put them on the right way round

rumbataz

Thanks everyone - I'll be changing the tyres and tubes on Saturday and will follow your advice.

plugp7

Talc on tubes and inner of tyre.

swod1

also when you have a bit of air in the tyre to check that the tyre is centered on the rim.

rumbataz

Quick question: are tyres directional? I've got new Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tyres. They have a V-patterned tread. Should the point of the V point in the direction of rotation?

Chunkers1980

Yes

cooldad

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19761367#p19761367]rumbataz[/url] wrote:

Quick question: are tyres directional? I've got new Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tyres. They have a V-patterned tread. Should the point of the V point in the direction of rotation?

They will have a directional arrow on the sidewall. Some rotate in opposite directions depending on whether they are on the front or rear.

rumbataz

Thanks guys, I'll take a more careful look. I did expect to see some arrow indicating rotation direction but couldn't spot it on these tyres.

JBA

Fit them so the V of the tread is pointing forwards when at the top of the wheels travel. i.e. the point of the V should hit the tarmac first.

rumbataz

New tyres and tubes fitted this morning. Thank you for all your advice everyone. I had no issues whatsoever and took advantage of the wheels being off the bike to give them a good clean and adjust the disc brakes too. Re-torqued whatever I could re-torque and a test ride showed the ride to be a little more comfortable than before.