The MTB thread

[JamesMio]

Dalbeattie Hard Rock Challenge next weekend - it's been great having something to actively work towards and attempt to get fit for.

Looking through some of last year's times though and *wow* there are some seriously quick people out there.

Oh well - an excuse for a ride in the forest for me I suppose!

Originally Posted by daddyjob

I've gone for the 6.3. Looking to do some XC trails and get back into being fit and healthy!

Typical! always going one better!

Maybe we have the makings of a GM MTB rideout or two?

[DJ123]

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

Typical! always going one better!

Maybe we have the makings of a GM MTB rideout or two?

Always

Definitely, think a number of us have one. Need to arrange something for a meet up-some good routes in the South Downs.

I'll be out when my knee is up to a decent ride on a push bike

[chris8886]

I dunno whether i'd be better of putting this in the 'cycling thread' but as I have a mountain bike and not a road bike I thought it more appropriate in here....

I've had some medical issues as I'm sure many of you are aware, that will now be keeping me off motorised transport for some months . so I have to now cycle to just about everywhere that I can, I've been recently having some problems with my MTB as it keeps getting a puncture in the rear wheel. on my visit to the cycle shop this morning to pick up a new inner tube or 2, I asked the guy in there why my bike might be doing this, especially as all the "punctures" were happening on the inside of the inner tube! basically it came down to the fact that I don't have any tape covering the outer part of the rim that the inner tube sits in (I did think about filing the rim a little but decided I'd ask this before going to all that bother!). so I purchased some of this tape he had to put on the rim that'll protect the tube (I know I could be doing this with masking tape or something, but this really is a problem that's starting to pi55 me off and I can't be bothered with buying new inner tubes/fixing them all the time!).

now comes the problem... I can't seem to get this tape stuff to fit on my wheel. it's a one piece thing, so is difficult to actually get onto the rim, it gets so far (about 2/3 onto it) and then won't go any further at all. can anyone suggest something that will help me actually get it on properly please?

thanks in advance for any help.

[pookie]

dunno about the tape..is it correct size.. could try a plastic tyre lever. I had trouble with a tubeless rim strip but did seat eventually.

There are gatorskin mtb road tyres which are puncture resistant with road riding profile.
http://www.conti-online.com/www/bicy...rideII_en.html

Also have a look at self sealing inner tubes from slime etc

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s...ng+inner+tubes

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by pookie

dunno about the tape..is it correct size.. could try a plastic tyre lever. I had trouble with a tubeless rim strip but did seat eventually.

There are gatorskin mtb road tyres which are puncture resistant with road riding profile.
http://www.conti-online.com/www/bicy...rideII_en.html

Also have a look at self sealing inner tubes from slime etc

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s...ng+inner+tubes

thanks, I hadn't thought about using the tyre lever!! it is the right size, i'll go n try my tyre lever now!

[maviczap]

Rim tape can be difficult to get over the rim, but as Pookie says use a tyre lever to help it over the lip.

Cloth rim tape is easier to fit, as it is just like selotape, but not many places sell it these days.

At a pinch gaffer or duck tape will do the job, its just to protect the inner tube from any sharp protrusions from the spoke or nipples.

If its the same place its going to be a sharp spoke end or nipple, so see if there is and file it down, otherwise you're constantly going to get punctures.

As for tyres, there's not a lot to beat Conti Gatorskins as Pookie says, expensive yes, but I've not had a single puncture on my winter bike when using them.

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Rim tape can be difficult to get over the rim, but as Pookie says use a tyre lever to help it over the lip.

Cloth rim tape is easier to fit, as it is just like selotape, but not many places sell it these days.

At a pinch gaffer or duck tape will do the job, its just to protect the inner tube from any sharp protrusions from the spoke or nipples.

If its the same place its going to be a sharp spoke end or nipple, so see if there is and file it down, otherwise you're constantly going to get punctures.

As for tyres, there's not a lot to beat Conti Gatorskins as Pookie says, expensive yes, but I've not had a single puncture on my winter bike when using them.

thanks mav. I have checked/felt all the way round the rim to check for sharp bits n can't find any before, but have still kept getting the punctures, so I think this tape is the next step.

[chris8886]

well I have now got the tape on over the rim using some tyre levers as suggested and now have the new inner tube in and the tyre and wheel back on etc. to now make my bike road worthy and usable once again, so I now have one form of 2 wheeled transport that i'm actually allowed to use!

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by chris8886

thanks mav. I have checked/felt all the way round the rim to check for sharp bits n can't find any before, but have still kept getting the punctures, so I think this tape is the next step.

If you get another puncture, mark where it punctured on the tube, then with the tyre off the rim, put the valve in the valve hole, and see if there's anything causing the puncture in that area of the rim. Check either side of the valve hole, as if you're like me, you'll have forgotten which way round the inner tube was!

It can also be helpful if you follow Rule number 40

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#40

As then you can see if there's an object in the tyre corresponding to where the puncture is