BIKE MAINTENANCE
What to do when you get a puncture :
It is always easier and faster to change a tube when you puncture on the road . There will be plenty of time to repair the punctured tube when you get home after your spin . Here is how to change a tube
How to – avoid punctures
The dreaded puncture is the most frustrating aspect of cycling for many a bike rider . I was asked today if there is anything that can be done to help avoid getting one . The simple answer is , yes there are a number of things any cyclist can do to reduce the chance of puncturing , and here they are ;
1 : Pump your tyres – Every cyclist should have a track pump and should use it once a week to check the pressure in their tyres . The minimum pressure for a clincher tyre is 6 Bar or 85 psi whilst the maximum is 8 Bar or 120 psi . On very rough surfaces a lower pressure will have a cushioning effect but the trade-off is a slightly higher chance of a pinch flat ( One year in the Paris Roubaix sportif Sean Kelly told us to ride 6.5 Bar in the back and 6 Bar on front – we had just one puncture between all of us for the day ). On very smooth surfaces a higher pressure will roll better and faster . Heavier riders should have slightly more pressure . In winter or in wet weather the pressure should be reduced slightly to give a little more grip . In general 7 Bar or 100 psi is a good guide if you are unsure .
2 : Watch the road – A pothole , a stone , broken glass or piece of metal . All of these can be avoided 90% of the time if you are looking out for them . If you are in a group it is very important to point them out to the riders behind you . A pothole or a stone will often cause a pinch flat which will go down immediately whilst a piece of glass or metal may take a while to work its way into the tube .
3 : Use good tyres – It is irresponsible to go out with a group of cyclists with poor tyres . We have seen guys heading out for 5 hour group training spins with the canvas showing through the tyre . We have changed tyres on the Sean Kelly Tour every year with the canvas showing . Very often the response given is that ‘I was trying to get the last bit out of them’ . In the first case there is nothing worse than having the whole group being forced to stop or ride up and down the road while waiting for someone to change a tube that will sure as anything be flat again later in the spin . In the second case , imagine training all year for an event or a race and wasting it all by using tyres that are not fit for purpose . There is also the safety aspect . It is unfair on your fellow cyclists to ride in a group with poor tyres that have an increased chance of slipping on a wet corner .
4 : Check your tyres : Once a week I go around my tyres with a scribe ( a very small screwdriver or a heavy pin would work too ) . I check for any piece of glass or flint and remove it . Then I fill the small hole left behind with super glue . It always amazes me how many guys racing don’t bother to do this .
What tyres to use :
I don’t subscribe to the view that any cheap tyres will do for winter training . I want good tyres with good grip that I can trust , especially if I am going to be doing big miles on bad roads . Usually the price difference between a cheap tyre and a good one is the price of 2 tubes . This saving is cancelled out after 2 punctures . A crash on wet roads may cost a whole lot more .
Tyres can be a personal thing . Some will swear by the gripping power of slick tyres like the Continental Ultra Sport or the Maxxis High Road whilst others want a bit of thread like the Vittoria Open Corsa or the Continental 4 Seasons . The most popular tyre we sell in the shop is the Continental GP5000S in black . The black tyres are grippier as there is no dye used to add colour . The Continental Ultra Sport or Grand Sport are slightly cheaper and are good all round tyres too .
For very bad roads in poor conditions the Continental 4 Seasons are a good choice. With 28mm tyres available now, check if your bike will take the extra width, and consider the updgrade for added comfort.
Good quality rim tape is also a must although the chances of a protruding spoke nicking the tube are a lot less with the factory built wheels that are so popular nowadays .
Tubeless tyres have a reduced chance of puncturing as do tubulars , but if you stick to all of the above you should not have too many problems .
The dreaded puncture is the most frustrating aspect of cycling for many a bike rider . I was asked today if there is anything that can be done to help avoid getting one . The simple answer is , yes there are a number of things any cyclist can do to reduce the chance of puncturing , and here they are ;
1 : Pump your tyres – Every cyclist should have a track pump and should use it once a week to check the pressure in their tyres . The minimum pressure for a clincher tyre is 6 Bar or 85 psi whilst the maximum is 8 Bar or 120 psi . On very rough surfaces a lower pressure will have a cushioning effect but the trade-off is a slightly higher chance of a pinch flat ( One year in the Paris Roubaix sportif Sean Kelly told us to ride 6.5 Bar in the back and 6 Bar on front – we had just one puncture between all of us for the day ). On very smooth surfaces a higher pressure will roll better and faster . Heavier riders should have slightly more pressure . In winter or in wet weather the pressure should be reduced slightly to give a little more grip . In general 7 Bar or 100 psi is a good guide if you are unsure .
2 : Watch the road – A pothole , a stone , broken glass or piece of metal . All of these can be avoided 90% of the time if you are looking out for them . If you are in a group it is very important to point them out to the riders behind you . A pothole or a stone will often cause a pinch flat which will go down immediately whilst a piece of glass or metal may take a while to work its way into the tube .
3 : Use good tyres – It is irresponsible to go out with a group of cyclists with poor tyres . We have seen guys heading out for 5 hour group training spins with the canvas showing through the tyre . We have changed tyres on the Sean Kelly Tour every year with the canvas showing . Very often the response given is that ‘I was trying to get the last bit out of them’ . In the first case there is nothing worse than having the whole group being forced to stop or ride up and down the road while waiting for someone to change a tube that will sure as anything be flat again later in the spin . In the second case , imagine training all year for an event or a race and wasting it all by using tyres that are not fit for purpose . There is also the safety aspect . It is unfair on your fellow cyclists to ride in a group with poor tyres that have an increased chance of slipping on a wet corner .
4 : Check your tyres : Once a week I go around my tyres with a scribe ( a very small screwdriver or a heavy pin would work too ) . I check for any piece of glass or flint and remove it . Then I fill the small hole left behind with super glue . It always amazes me how many guys racing don’t bother to do this .
What tyres to use :
I don’t subscribe to the view that any cheap tyres will do for winter training . I want good tyres with good grip that I can trust , especially if I am going to be doing big miles on bad roads . Usually the price difference between a cheap tyre and a good one is the price of 2 tubes . This saving is cancelled out after 2 punctures . A crash on wet roads may cost a whole lot more .
Tyres can be a personal thing . Some will swear by the gripping power of slick tyres like the Continental Ultra Sport or the Maxxis High Road whilst others want a bit of thread like the Vittoria Open Corsa or the Continental 4 Seasons . The most popular tyre we sell in the shop is the Continental GP5000S in black . The black tyres are grippier as there is no dye used to add colour . The Continental Ultra Sport or Grand Sport are slightly cheaper and are good all round tyres too .
For very bad roads in poor conditions the Continental 4 Seasons are a good choice. With 28mm tyres available now, check if your bike will take the extra width, and consider the updgrade for added comfort.
Good quality rim tape is also a must although the chances of a protruding spoke nicking the tube are a lot less with the factory built wheels that are so popular nowadays .
Tubeless tyres have a reduced chance of puncturing as do tubulars , but if you stick to all of the above you should not have too many problems .
5 Minute Bike wash :
Here is a quick way to wash your bike after every spin . Everyone will have their own method but I have managed to do this in under 5 minutes and leave my bike looking like new . The amount of salt and grit on the roads at present makes this essential .
Regular washing means no build up of gunk on the chain and cassette or wheels . This makes washing so much easier .
I use Fenwicks foaming degreaser . Other degreasers are good too but I like how it pushes out the dirt as it foams up .
I also use fenwicks fs-10 bike wash spray . This is very similar to products like Bike 7 "Clean", muc-off , pirahna or finish line bike wash .
My brushes are made by finish line and are available as a full set of 5 for around €20
I also use shimano chain and cable lube or finish line ceramic wet lube . I’m not a big fan of the dry teflon type lube but many people do use them in summer .
Regular washing means no build up of gunk on the chain and cassette or wheels . This makes washing so much easier .
I use Fenwicks foaming degreaser . Other degreasers are good too but I like how it pushes out the dirt as it foams up .
I also use fenwicks fs-10 bike wash spray . This is very similar to products like Bike 7 "Clean", muc-off , pirahna or finish line bike wash .
My brushes are made by finish line and are available as a full set of 5 for around €20
I also use shimano chain and cable lube or finish line ceramic wet lube . I’m not a big fan of the dry teflon type lube but many people do use them in summer .
Here is a link to the blog post : Bike washing
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20 Minute complete bike wash :
Repairs :
We carry out all manner of repairs in our state of the art workshop . We believe that the best bikes deserve the best tools and use Park tools for every manner of job .
Please feel free to contact us by phone or email and get your bike booked in for any maintenance required (0526121146). We aim to have a quick turnaround time on your bike, and this booking in system helps us to make sure you're not without your wheels for too long.
Our mechanic is Cytech accredited - we believe that your bike deserves the best.
Please feel free to contact us by phone or email and get your bike booked in for any maintenance required (0526121146). We aim to have a quick turnaround time on your bike, and this booking in system helps us to make sure you're not without your wheels for too long.
Our mechanic is Cytech accredited - we believe that your bike deserves the best.
