| Puncture Not |
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| by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
| Thursday, 29 June 2006 | |
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It’s a cyclist’s biggest buzz kill. You’re riding down the road, and
suddenly you hear psssst, followed by thump, thump, thump. Fortunately,
there are measures you can take to prevent a flat tire.
While many flat tires are simply unavoidable (rounding a corner and
whizzing through a pile of fish hooks isn't your fault, after all),
there are things you can do to steer clear of frequent punctures.
Inflate properly. A soft tire lets the tube get pinched against the rim when you hit a stone or pothole. The twin slices caused by a pinch flat are dubbed a "snakebite." Upgrade to better tires. There are hundreds of tires available, and generally premium (and more expensive) models use more refined casings and rubber compounds, which are more resistant to penetration. Some models have special belts for extra puncture protection, which helps some, but there are no guarantees. Inspect your rubber frequently. Look for cuts and gashes in the tread, or bulges on the side of the tire. Or if the tread is worn down so that threads of the casing underneath are visible, it's high time for new tires. Try a sealant. Liquid sealants with brand names like Slime and Goo slosh around inside the tube and seal up small punctures without your ever knowing. Caveat: Sealants add weight to the tires and can't fix big gashes. Bookmark:            Trackback(0)
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