d) Replacing a tube or tire
Read the previous sections a), b) and c) to learn how to remove and replace the front and rear wheel. You will need to
understand how to remove the wheel prior to replacing a tube or tire. This section only explains how to remove the tire from
the rim and how to replace a tube. Tubes and tires are 2 of the most important components on your new bicycle and must
always be in optimum condition. It is important you understand about the tubes and tires equipped on your bicycle.
The Phantom X R uses high-performance Continental Traffic Low Resistance UNI-Directional tires with a 65 PSI
rating. Bicycle tires are available in many designs and specifications, ranging from general-purpose designs to tires
designed to perform best under very specific weather or terrain conditions. If, once you’ve gained experience with
your new bicycle, you feel that a different tire might better suit your riding needs; your dealer can help you select
the most appropriate design.
The size, pressure rating, and on some high-performance tires the specific recommended use, are marked on the
sidewall of the tire. The most important part of this information for you is Tire Pressure. The best and safest way to
inflate a bicycle tire to the correct pressure is with a bicycle pump that has a built-in pressure gauge.
WARNING: Never inflate a tire beyond the maximum pressure marked on the sidewall. Exceeding maximum
pressure may blow the tire off the rim, causing damage to the bike and injury to the rider and bystanders.
WARNING: There is a safety risk in using gas station air hoses or other air compressors. They are not
made for bicycle tires. They move a large volume of air very rapidly, and will raise the pressure in your tire very
rapidly, which could cause the tube to explode.
Tire pressure is given either as maximum pressure or as a pressure range. How a tire performs under different
terrain or weather conditions depends largely on tire pressure. Inflating the tire to near its maximum recommended
pressure gives the lowest rolling resistance; but also produces the harshest ride. High pressures work best on
smooth, dry pavement. Very low pressures, at the bottom of the recommended pressure range, give the best
performance on smooth, slick terrain such as hard-packed clay, and on deep, loose surfaces such as deep, dry
sand. Tire pressure that is too low for your weight and the riding conditions can cause a puncture of the tube by
allowing the tire to deform sufficiently to pinch the inner tube between the rim and the riding surface.
CAUTION: Pencil type automotive tire gauges can be inaccurate and should not be relied upon for
consistent, accurate pressure readings. Instead, use a high quality dial gauge.
Ask your dealer to recommend the best tire pressure for the kind of riding you will most often do, and have the
dealer inflate your tires to that pressure. Then, visually check inflation by sitting on the saddle with your weight and
noticing your tires response. You should also squeeze tires and feel resistance so you’ll know how correctly
inflated tires should look and feel. Some tires may need to be brought up to pressure every week or two. Other
high-performance tires may also have unidirectional treads, similar to the factory tires on your Phantom X R: their
tread pattern is designed to work better in one direction than in the other. The sidewall marking of a unidirectional
tire will have an arrow showing the correct rotation direction. When replacing your tires with tires that are
unidirectional, be sure that they are mounted to rotate in the correct direction.
There are two kinds of bicycle tube valves: The Schrader or Presta Valve. The air pump you use must have the
appropriate fitting for the correct valve stem. The Phantom X R uses Schrader valves. The Schrader valve is the
same as an automobile. To inflate a Schrader valve tube, remove the valve cap and clamp the pump fitting onto the
end of the valve stem. To let air out of a Schrader valve, depress the pin in the end of the valve stem. The Presta
valve has a narrower diameter and is only found on bicycle tires. To inflate a Presta valve tube using a Presta
headed bicycle pump, remove the valve cap; unscrew (counterclockwise) the valve stem lock nut; and push down
on the valve stem to free it up. Then push the pump head on to the valve head, and inflate. To inflate a Presta
valve with a Schrader pump fitting, you’ll need a Presta adapter (available at your bike shop) which screws on to
the valve stem once you’ve freed up the valve. The adapter fits into the Schrader pump fitting. Close the valve after
inflation. To let air out of a Presta valve, open up the valve stem lock nut and depress the valve stem.
WARNING: Patching a tube is an emergency repair. If you do not apply the patch correctly, the tube can
possibly fail, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Replace a patched tube as soon as possible.
To remove a tire or tube, follow these instructions (you will need tire levers or a similar tool to hold open the bead of the tire):
Let all the air out from the tube of the wheel having the replacement.
Remove the wheel as described in detail in the previous sections.
Remove the inner tubes air valve cover.
Pull back the tire bead away from the rim. You will see the tube and the inside
of the tire. If it requires too high pressure to pull back the tire bead, there may
be still air in the tube. Check to confirm all the air is out of the tube.
Using 2 tire levers or similar tools, insert one lever end in between the tire
bead and the rim but make sure the lever is on top of the tube and you are
not pinching the tube.
Slide the second lever about 4-6 inches to the side of the first lever. Be
sure not to pinch the tube and to confirm you have the lever on top of the
tube and not under the tube. Slide the lever down the side of the wheel
between the tire bead and rim edge while lifting the tire bead and sidewall
over the rim edge.
If removing only the tube, you can now pull the tube outside the side of the tire wall. If replacing the tube, you can
now install the new tube.
If removing the tire, use the tire levers and repeat the previous steps and remove the opposite side of the tire’s
sidewall bead on the same side of the rim you removed the first tire bead. The tire may easily come off the rim if you
pull the tire bead over the edge of the rim and the tire levers may not have to be used.
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