Dear NG,
I have repaired tiretubes many times, but it took me lots of years to realize
that I am always doing it wrongly. Whenever puting the patched tube back I
always you a screwdriver to lever the tire and force the last part of the tire
inside. This I believe always pinches or punctures a hole through the tube...
no wonder sometimes I wonder why in the world the tire is again punctured when
I just repaired it a few hours ago.
Lately, I realized that there is actually a thing called a bike tire lever. I
have never tried it, but I will this time. But I am already almost sick of
putting the tire tube out and then back in. I want to make sure that this time
when I put the tube in, I can really ride the bike for some months before it
will be punctured again. So to make sure I want to ask for some help here.
Because of my abuse in tire repair, the tire itself developed a slit (when I
pry it with the screw driver sometimes it slips and rubs through the rim of the
tire causing it to wear). I wonder now if I have to change the tire itself. I
earlier bought a tube, then when I put it back (before learning about putting
those tire levers) I attempted to do everything by finger (so I wont damage the
tube like before, coz I realize that the screw driver will not help me) after
checking that the tire is clean and has no stone or sharp thing in it. The last
part I had to do a little with the screw driver but I made really sure that I
will not puncture the tube (then I suddenly discovered these tire levers in our
workshop.. too late!). But then I realize one thing... the tube is for 28"
tire but it was like 2 inch bigger than the tire size... is this normal? I mean
should the tube diameter be bigger than the tire?.. the shopkeeper didnt even
ask me what size.. he just looked at my tire and at once gave me the tube. On
my original tube is written 35/47-622/635 .. I am just guessing that the first
numbers correspond to the diameter and the last to the pressure (I am now
living in Germany and the standards may be different here). .. so my question
is.. is the 28" tube the right one for this tire? I just find it wierd that the
tube is a few inches bigger than the tire.
Well anyway.. so when I put this new tube in the tire and pumped it (I forced
the extra inch of the tube inside too!), the tire bulged out of the slit that
was in my tire. Then I was muttering to myself "Oh.. maybe I should buy a new
tire too". But I thought that maybe I leave this pumped tire for a day and
rest. The next day, the tube was punctured! .. so I am guessing now that (as I
was careful with the screw driver) this could be either because of the slit in
my tire or because maybe that the tube is bigger ... I don't know yet and I
dont want to yet spend money for the tire until I know exactly what I should do
(I have been riding this bike for 3 years without changing the tube or tire and
have travelled around 5400km already).
Sorry for the long post and next time I hope I wont trouble you with such
trifles.
Sincerely,
Jose Capco