Hitchcocks Forum

Good evening all,

I was on my daily commute to work this morning and when in the grounds
I'm met by a row of speed bumps. And after the last bump I noticed a bit
Of movement from the rear and that's when I noticed the flat so with only
a 100 or so meters away I continued to park up and go to work with the
thought of inspecting at my lunch break (1hr)

Upon pumping up I notice a hissing so I quickly got some washing up liquid
And a bowl of water from the kitchen and began to locate the leak which turns
Out to be around the valve. Upon inspection I noticed the valve was loose and
Spinning freely so I had a look inside the tyre as ther was no air present .

The valve look like it use to be from a inner tube and has been used in the
Rear wheel to inflate.

So the question. Is the tyre TUBLESS because that what it says on the tyre
Or dowse it have an inner tube?

The bike is a RE Electra on a 10 plate and the tyres are the Avon standard
Fitted ones.

Spoked wheels have inner tubes in them on Bullets but the tyre can be used on other cast wheels which wont need a tube

A tubeless tyre valve usually has a groove around its rather large bulbous base where it locates into the wheel rim. If the valve stem looks the same diameter along its length and ragged at its base, it will most likely have been torn out of a tube. Caused by tyre pressure being too low, the tyre rotating on the rim and pulling the tube with it
A tubeless tyre has nothing pulling on it to cause it to tear out.

Totally agree with Leon. A tubeless valve has a rubbery base and looks quite different. I think it has simply torn out of the inner tube.



Please report back and let us know!

This never happens if you carry a spare inner tube.

Morning all thanks for the speedy response, how do upload photos so I can show you the valve?
Also it's looking like a new inner tube and tyre is there a part number for a set because I can only find them
Separately or the tyre on its own?

Thanks again

Hi Puncher!



do you mean that the valve stem (which you screw the dust cap on is spinning, oe do you mean the actual small metal valve inside the stem?



If it is the small metal valve, then you just need to tighten it up. Trick is to find something to do it. I'll add a pic of a Schrader valve tool.







This one is actually on the valve cap itself, but they are basically a piece of bar with a slot cut in the middle.

Sorry, meabr 'Foz'



never reply to posts BC (Before coffee). It's early here.

Foz managed to rip the entire valve stem out of the inner tube. Whilst is is possible to repair a puncture the only safe and reliable method is new inner tube; it's not a push bike. Those Schraeder valve tool caps are handy but encourage schoolboys to let your tyres down and nick the cap; something for the tool pouch.

Foz: Just ask for a 3.50x19 or whatever the writing on the tyre says, and a tube to fit it. Any tyre dealer should know what you want. I always take the wheel in to them and wait in their lounge drinking their coffee and eating their cakes.