Breakdown assistance: Flat tyres and eights

Martin Miksch

· 24.10.2005

Photo: Daniel Simon

Breakdown assistance: flat tyres and eights

The wheels are the only point of contact with the ground. And the first place where something breaks. All the tricks for mountain bikers when it comes to flat tubes and bent rims.

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MTB TYRES SLASHED

The culmination of a flat tyre is a slashed tyre. The inner tube swells through the hole. You can prevent this by placing something tough under the punctured area, for example the empty casing from the energy bar. Also possible: a banknote or a piece of inner tube.

PLATTER WITHOUT REPLACEMENT HOSE 1

When the inner tube no longer holds the air, you're usually out in the middle of nowhere. And you realise: you've forgotten a spare hose. No problem, as long as you have a pump. Simply tie off the defective part and inflate the inner tube again. The knot is hardly noticeable when riding.

PLATTER WITHOUT REPLACEMENT HOSE 2

Mending the hose with a knot is all well and good, but if there is a second puncture, good advice is expensive. Or don't: tie off the second section as well. A section of the hose can no longer be inflated. Line this part with the wind waistcoat or a T-shirt. This way you can still roll home.

SUPPORT PUMP

Inflating with a mini pump requires stamina. Our tip sounds banal, but it helps enormously: simply support the pump head on something solid. Tree stumps and park benches are suitable,

rocks and the like are suitable.

CAPITAL EIGHT

The wheel is not only distorted by broken spokes. Extreme lateral loads or an impact at high speed can cause the wheel to "chip". In order to be able to continue the tour anyway, you should push the "figure eight" out of the wheel. To do this, place the wheel on something solid, such as stones as shown in the picture. The points where the rim bends should be supported. Stand with one foot on the straight side of the rim. Put weight on the bent side with the other foot. Check the success and repeat the process if necessary. Tip: Works best in pairs. You may have to remove the rim brake to continue riding, but at least the wheel will fit through the fork. Have it checked at home by a specialist.

BROKEN SPOKE

The consequence of a broken spoke is a heavy knock in the wheel. Centre the wheel provisionally as described on page 10. Wrap the broken spoke around its neighbours.

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Photo: Daniel Simon

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Breakdown assistance: Flat tyres and eights

MTB TYRES SLASHED

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