question about tires

check to see if the tube is popping through. if so, then replace

Did you check the inside of the tire? The rim strip? If you mount the tire brand logo centered with the valve stem, you can find the hole in the tube and then quickly determine where the flat came from on the tire in relation to the stem and logo. Always inspect the inside of the tire too.

It's a good idea to clean your tire "carefully" with a gloved hand while you ride if you can, Practice this a few times, if you're unfamiliar, and certainly inspect your tires AFTER every ride. If you wait until before your next ride, you'll keep your freinds waiting, but check the pressure before. Some tubes, especially latex, lose air pretty quickly, and temperature (Charle's Law) can effect them too.

Tubes aren't going to pop out of most small cuts. If the cut goes through the casing, replace it. You can use a slit section of old tube, an energy bar wrapper, or a patch kit to re-inforce a tire area that has a cut or gouge that doesn't go through, or to get you home on one that does.

Make sure you inflate to proper pressure to avoid the pinch, and check around the tire bead before inflating for any tube caught between the rim and tire. Try not to use your tire lever to re-install the tire if possible, although it can be really tough.

CDAKIAHONDA said:

It's a good idea to clean your tire "carefully" with a gloved hand while you ride if you can,

Are you stupid or something? You NEVER, EVER touch a moving part whilst riding. Especially when wearing gloves. The only thing you should be doing while riding is concentrating on the road ahead. Imagine the consequences if while cleaning your tyre with your hand, and you hit a pothole or something. It doesn't bear thinking about.

mattjf said:

If there are small cuts (a couple centimeters in size) , should the tire be replaced?

-Matt

You mean millimeters right?

shannons dad said:

Are you stupid or something? You NEVER, EVER touch a moving part whilst riding. Especially when wearing gloves. The only thing you should be doing while riding is concentrating on the road ahead. Imagine the consequences if while cleaning your tyre with your hand, and you hit a pothole or something. It doesn't bear thinking about.

Bill, no need to throw personal insults. Cleaning a tire with gloved hand has been a standard part of cycling lore for many decades. Cycling books used to advice riders on how to do this safely on both front and back wheels.

I don't do it anymore, but have done it plenty of times over the years without a problem. No need to take your eyes off the road; with practice it's just as automatic as reaching for your water bottle.

shannons dad said:

Are you stupid or something? You NEVER, EVER touch a moving part whilst riding. Especially when wearing gloves. The only thing you should be doing while riding is concentrating on the road ahead. Imagine the consequences if while cleaning your tyre with your hand, and you hit a pothole or something. It doesn't bear thinking about.

Take it easy there fella, just because you wouldn't do that doesn't make it stupid. Plenty of us do it all the time and it's a good skill to learn.

Regards Jay.

"Are you stupid or something? You NEVER, EVER touch a moving part whilst riding."

Thanks for the help guys, hey, isn't the WHOLE bike a moving part?😄

buy some new tires. If they are indeed a couple centimeters long like you are saying, then throw them away and pick up a new set. it will only run ya $100 or so for a new set of good rubber.

dhk said:

Bill, no need to throw personal insults. Cleaning a tire with gloved hand has been a standard part of cycling lore for many decades. Cycling books used to advice riders on how to do this safely on both front and back wheels.

I don't do it anymore, but have done it plenty of times over the years without a problem. No need to take your eyes off the road; with practice it's just as automatic as reaching for your water bottle.

Sorry dhk. Didn't mean to offend. I should have worded that better. If you got that manouver wrong though, no matter how experienced you are, it's easy to lose a finger, I've seen it happen and there was even response from another member to some thread about best accidents who nearly lost a finger through doing the same thing. For all the time it takes to fix a flat, 3-4mins, it's safer to just leave the things alone until you've stopped for a breather, and then check.

Yes the tyre should be replaced

Once the cuts are that sort of size, the tyre is shot basically

Treat yourself !