Hitchcocks Forum

Thanks to everybody for their input,ended up using my bus pass to travel,will sort out the bike at the weekend
Cheers
Jenks

if that's the case please use a new tube, patches and liquid goop are only to get you home

Yes, I'd second that advice........ After all, the price of a new tube is nothing compared to a front-wheel deflation at any speed !!!

With practice ( on an old tyre/tube set up ) you soon become quite adept at this removal/re-fitting game.....as most on here can probably testify.....

Tip}--- If you MUST have use of the bike every day then consider having a spare front and rear wheel assembly on stand-by ??......Just the basic bare hub with bearings, spokes, rim and fitted tyre mind you....Our hosts often have used or new-old stock listed...

I would also add that in my experience it’s better to get a reputable make of inner tube. I’ve had a few that were made of some plastic/vinyl concoction that wouldn’t take a repair patch. I have Michelin at the moment but there are other good ones.

The single most useful thing I've found for fitting tubes is one of those little cables that screws into the valve core with a handle attached for pulling the valve through the rim.

I would add if your tyres are so hard that you have to lever them on it could be time to replace them too. Tyres should be able to be kicked on with your feet and this makes for happy inner tubes too.