The world has changed quite dramatically with COVID-19 and has had a major impact on the cycling industry. In most cases in the past, getting a flat fix done was an in and out kind of thing. At the very worst, a day turn-around. However, with cycling now becoming the top method of getting around Toronto, bike shops are overwhelmed with bicycle service and require appointment bookings, sometimes weeks in advance, even for flat fixes. With this maintenance guide, we hope to help those that are mechanically confident in replacing a tube on their bicycle that they purchased at Curbside Cycle! Many of the steps are very critical to safety especially when reinstalling everything. Do not force anything into place and if something isn’t working properly you must take your bicycle to a bike shop to be inspected by a mechanic. Our Flat fix blog will work for the front wheel, which will be much quicker than the rear as you do not have to deal with any gears!

If you don't have these already, you will need to head to a bike shop for tire levers and air pumps, we recommend Tacx T4600 Tire Lever and the Lezyne Sport Floor Drive Pump. All stock Devinci's, Benno or Masi use quick release skewers for both front and rear. If you upgraded to locking skewers, use the key that came with them.

 

This will be the easiest way to perform any maintenance or cleaning of your bike. Lowest gear indicated in image in red. This will make it easy to pull the wheel out of the dropout.

When you are just replacing a tube, you can get away with just taking one side off. Follow the gif and begin using one lever, if it is to tight, try pushing the tire in all the way around and try again with the lever, sometimes you will need 2-3 levers in total. Once you have one side off the rim you can pull out the old tube and inspect by filling up with air and feel for air.

Most common flat, usually caused by glass, thorns, nails or other sharp road debris. Commonly happens if your tire is not at the proper tire pressure or if you hit a curb or pothole with extreme force.

Once you have determined what caused your flat, go ahead and reinstall the proper new tube. Start by installing first into the valve and tuck into tire. Once fully tucked in, starting at the valve again, begin rolling the bead into the rim. Some tires are loose enough that won't require effort but if it does work side to side rather than trying to force from the middle.

 

Most Benno's and Devinci use Schrader. Usually the fatter valve is Schrader while the skinny, shiny valve is called Presta. If using the Lezyne Sport Floor Drive, spin the brass jog to screw onto valve. Just about every tire indicates tire pressure in raised lettering. There is also a raised line to ensure that the tire is in the rim properly.