BICYCLE TECH TIPS SERIES, TIP #3, TIRE AND TUBE SIZES

TECH TIP # 3
TIRE AND TUBE SIZES

TIRE SIZE
The tire size is printed on the sidewall of the tire

MTB TIRES
MTB Wheels come in three different diameter 26", 27.5" and 29", the tire sizes vary accordingly
THE TIRE SIZE is printed as 26 x 2.1 or 27.5 x 2.0 or 29 x 2.25, the first number indicates the diameter and second number indicates the width of the tire in INCHES

ROAD BIKE AND HYBRID BIKE TIRES
Road bike wheels come in 700C diameter (approximately between 28" and 29").
The road tire size is usually mentioned as 700 x 26C, 700 x 25C, 700 x 23C the first number is wheel diameter in 'mm' and second number is tire width in 'mm'
The hybrid tire size is usually mentioned as 700 x 28C ........700 x 40C, the first number is wheel diameter in 'mm' and second number is tire width in 'mm'

TUBE SIZE
One tube fits many tire widths for a given wheel diameter.

MTB TUBE
The size is mentioned as 26 x 1.95-2.25, the first number indicates tire/wheel diameter in inches and second set of numbers indicates the range of tire widths for which the tube will fit. In the given example the tube will fit 26" tire and tire width range will be from 1.95" to 2.25"

ROAD TUBE
The size is mentioned as 700 x 18-23, the first number indicates tire/wheel diameter in 'mm' and second set of numbers indicates the range of tire widths in 'mm' for which the tube will fit. In the given example the tube will fit 700C tire and tire width range will be from 18mm to 23mm

HYBRID TUBE
The size is mentioned as 700 x 28-45, the first number indicates tire/wheel diameter in 'mm' and second set of numbers indicates the range of tire widths in 'mm' for which the tube will fit. In the given example the tube will fit 700C tire and tire width range will be from 28mm to 45mm. Alternately the hybrid tubes also indicate tire diameter in inches as 28"

BICYCLE TECH TIPS SERIES TIP #1 and 2

TECH TIP # 1

BICYCLE TUBE VALVES

The two most commonly found tube valves on modern bicycles are SCHRADER and PRESTA

1)      SCHRADER VALVE: This is found on Entry and Mid level Mountain Bikes and Hybrid Bikes. This valve is same as on Motorbikes and Cars (it is also called Auto Valve AV)

2)      PRESTA VALVE: This is found on all Road Bikes, this valve is much thinner and is suited for thin rims on Road Bikes. Presta valve is also found on High End Mountain and Hybrid bikes.

TECH TIP # 2

TIRE PRESSURE

The pressure is built up by Action-Reaction between tube and tire – Air exerts outward force on tube which in turn exerts outward force (Action) on tire and tire in turn exerts Inward force (Reaction) on tube thus, building up the pressure.

UNIT OF TIRE PRESSURE : there are two popular tire pressure units 1) The PSI (Pounds Per Square inch) and 2) Bar

THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE RANGE IS MENTIONED ON THE SIDEWALLS OF the TIRE

THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE DEPENDS ON THE TUBE, TIRE and the RIM

LOWER PRESSURE (Within the Range) gives better traction/grip but higher rolling resistance

HIGHER PRESSURE (Within the Range) gives lesser traction/grip but lowerrolling resistance

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BIKE DURING THE RAINY SEASON

It’s that time of the year, pre-monsoon showers playing spoilsport, humidity at its peak taking a toll on your bike rides, it’s only a few days for the downpour to begin placing you in a dilemma “whether to ride or not to ride in the rains”. Whether you decide to ride or to hang-up your bike for the wet season, you have to take care of your beloved bike. Here are a few tips whatever you decide !

IF YOU DECIDE TO HANG-UP YOUR BIKE FOR THE RAINY SEASON

TIPS ARE FOR PREVENTING CORROSION/RUST ON YOUR BIKE

PARTS THAT FALL PREY TO CORROSSION – Cables (inners and outers, ball bearings, chain, cogs, chainwheels, bolts)

1.       Grease all the bolts and BOLT HEADS

2.       Grease the seat Post

3.       Lubricate all the cables (Inners and outers)

4.       Lubricate the chain heavily with wet lube

5.       Apply thin layer of oil (with a paint brush) on COGS and CHAINWHEELS

6.       Store away the bike

IF YOU DECIDE TO RIDE IN THE RAINS

A.      Get the bike fully serviced (greasing the ball bearings, oiling the cables, greasing seat post, lubing the chain, greasing the headset, greasing the bolts, greasing the bottom bracket bearing)

B.      The servicing will only prevent initial rain rides, you need to do regular maintenance

1.       After every ride drain the water accumulated in the frame of the bike by standing the bike UPRIGHT on the rear wheel, the accumulated water will drain from the holes at the end of the chainstays

2.       Clean and dry the bike after every ride

3.       Lube (Use wet lube) the chain after every ride

4.       Watch for sluggish shifting (sign of corrosion of the cables )

5.       Re-apply grease on bolt heads every few wet rides

6.       Watch for creaking sounds (sign of grease wash out) from hubs, headset, bottom bracket (time to service the bike again)