LBS competence repairing flats
jbo...@gmail.com
tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what
caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short
term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube
seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of
the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way.
This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to
the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This
time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and
cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider
cloth strip this time.
Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as
standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to
dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike.
J.
landotter
Performance on Halsted? I'd go to Rapid Transit on North, but give the
guys at Performance a break. Sometimes you can miss a worn bit on an
OEM strip, and they did catch it the second time.
Jay
"landotter" <land...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d041f466-24c6-4b34...@o30g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
Performance in Schaumburg, near home.
At least now, I know wide cloth strips are the best. If I need to swap out
the OEM tires on my Cannondale in favor of SM+, I will be sure to replace
the strips at the same time. And of course, the front rim on the Electra is
also suspect.
I like Rapid Transit too, but Rudy's on Irving Park is a better location for
me.
J.
Kristian M Zoerhoff
Oh, sweet Jeebus. Of course he should have checked. However, it's
Performance.
I didn't realize you were all the way out in Schaumburg. There used to be an
LBS on Roselle, north (?) of Golf. I forget the name, but it might still be
there, and have better-trained wrenches.
--
Kristian Zoerhoff
kristian...@gmail.com
Jobst Brandt
I think he should have tested the tube under water with fairly large
inflation, something that will likely reveal the location of even a
slow leak. Did this tube have any prior patch? If so, that is one
place to check for a slow leak because most patches, following common
instructions, are not well attached and seal only at their periphery.
You might review the patch method if that applies:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/patching.html
Classically a thorn may be just long enough to barely penetrate a tube
and thereby give a slow leak. Thorns, at times, have fine tips that
make only a small hole. Therefore, running the thumb around the
inside of a tire is the way to find that culprit, in spite of the
imagined horror stories of bloody thumbs. Slow leak obstacles do not
produce skin cuts.
Jobst Brandt
Jay
"Kristian M Zoerhoff" <kristian...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:slrnhpg2nl.62l.k...@otaku.freeshell.org...
might give them a try.
Looking back, I think the rim strip should have been checked. The shop was
not very busy (not a weekend). There must be a cause *somewhere*. Why would
a customer bring a bike in, and make up a story about losing 30lbs pressure
per day?
And I am told, getting the rear wheel off my Electra takes a bit of time and
effort.
J.
Dan O
> "Kristian M Zoerhoff" <kristian.zoerh...@gmail.com> wrote in messagenews:slrnhpg2nl.62l.k...@otaku.freeshell.org...
>
> > On 2010-03-10, jbol...@gmail.com <jbol...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon +
> >> tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what
> >> caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short
> >> term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube
> >> seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of
> >> the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way.
>
> >> This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to
> >> the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This
> >> time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and
> >> cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider
> >> cloth strip this time.
>
> >> Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as
> >> standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to
> >> dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike.
>
> > Oh, sweet Jeebus. Of course he should have checked. However, it's
> > Performance.
>
> > I didn't realize you were all the way out in Schaumburg. There used to be
> > an
> > LBS on Roselle, north (?) of Golf. I forget the name, but it might still
> > be
> > there, and have better-trained wrenches.
>
> > --
>
> > Kristian Zoerhoff
>
> Yeah, they also sell model trains. I have not been there in years, but I
> might give them a try.
>
> Looking back, I think the rim strip should have been checked. The shop was
> not very busy (not a weekend). There must be a cause *somewhere*. Why would
> a customer bring a bike in, and make up a story about losing 30lbs pressure
> per day?
>
> And I am told, getting the rear wheel off my Electra takes a bit of time and
> effort.
>
> J.
Seriously? You take your bike to the shop for a flat tire?
How much did they charge you, BTW? Unless it was at least $50, I
don't think you can complain about the mechanic's professional
thoroughness.
LF
> Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon +
> Should the mechanic have checked <snip>
Learn how to fix a flat. It' a basic skill that will come in handy,
and improve your experience of cycling. It seems
you have the basic idea down (find the problem, so you can fix it).
How about taking the next step.
Best,
Larry
Tom Sherman °_°
> Jim Bollyn wrote:
> [...]
Who is Jim Bollyn - a relative of Jay Bollyn?
--
Tom Sherman - 42.435731,-83.985007
Peter Cole
Yeah, I can't understand why a bike shop wouldn't get more enthusiastic
about the flat tire business. Sounds like they're leaving a fortune on
the table.
Ron Wallenfang
Bicycle repairman is not a high wage job and, naturally, there's quite
a bit of turnover. By and large, they're good at what they do within
those limits. I would not be in a hurry to cast blame over the
necessary imperfections you encounter. I change my own flats, having
learned what to look for from my own mistakes over the years. But
even a raw repairman is better than me at just about any other repair.
Jobst Brandt
>> Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe
>> Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in
>> knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be
>> a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture.
>> The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under
>> water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and
>> sent me on my way.
>> This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked
>> it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause.
>> This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too
>> narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He
>> used a wider cloth strip this time.
>> Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around,
>> as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons
>> to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike.
> Bicycle repairman is not a high wage job and, naturally, there's
> quite a bit of turnover. By and large, they're good at what they do
> within those limits. I would not be in a hurry to cast blame over
> the necessary imperfections you encounter. I change my own flats,
> having learned what to look for from my own mistakes over the years.
> But even a raw repairman is better than me at just about any other
> repair.
As is true in most endeavors, it's the manager that sets the quality
of service or manufacture. I was impressed with the good work that
good managers could get from average people. Some businesses do not
realize how important hiring a good manager is and some wouldn't
recognize one when the saw him.
Jobst Brandt
Jay
"Ron Wallenfang" <rwall...@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:2d129e51-a0e4-45b8...@o30g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
including flats. But that was almost necessary, because I was pushing that
little bike beyond its intended use (year round commuting). On the other
hand, my Electra has been mostly trouble-free through winter commuting.
With my Electra, the repairman told me the rear wheel is a bit of a
challenge, because it involves the Shimano Nexus hub, roller brake and chain
case. They charge me ~ $20, and it takes ~ 30 minutes.
http://orion.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/electra/rear-wheel-left.jpg
J.
Jay
"Jobst Brandt" <jbr...@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:4b980bd6$0$1631$742e...@news.sonic.net...
> Jim Bollyn wrote:
>
>> Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon
>> + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what
>> caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short
>> term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated
>> tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The
>> inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on
>> my way.
>
>> This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked
>> it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause.
>> This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow
>> and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a
>> wider cloth strip this time.
>
>> Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as
>> standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to
>> dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike.
>
> I think he should have tested the tube under water with fairly large
> inflation, something that will likely reveal the location of even a
> slow leak. Did this tube have any prior patch?
>
> (snip)
>
> Jobst Brandt
>
The tube was not patched.
When the tube did not appear to leak, I thought about suggesting submerging
it in water. I don't know why I kept quiet. But even so, he was only looking
at the tube and tire, not the rim.
J.
Jay
"Dan O" <danov...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:bf53c6de-ec42-43cf...@m27g2000prl.googlegroups.com...
> On Mar 10, 1:31 pm, "Jay" <jbol...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> "Kristian M Zoerhoff" <kristian.zoerh...@gmail.com> wrote in
>> messagenews:slrnhpg2nl.62l.k...@otaku.freeshell.org...
>>
> (snip)
>
> Seriously? You take your bike to the shop for a flat tire?
>
> How much did they charge you, BTW? Unless it was at least $50, I
> don't think you can complain about the mechanic's professional
> thoroughness.
>
The shop does not make much money on an Electra rear flat. I think there are
plenty of simple basic bikes where a flat takes 10 minutes. Mine takes ~ 30
minutes. I am told, the Shimano Nexus hub is the worst of it, followed by
the chain case.
J.
Jobst Brandt
>>> Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe
>>> Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in
>>> knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might
>>> be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the
>>> puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not
>>> put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed
>>> a new tube and sent me on my way.
>>> This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked
>>> it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause.
>>> This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too
>>> narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through.
>>> He used a wider cloth strip this time.
>>> Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around,
>>> as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons
>>> to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike.
>> I think he should have tested the tube under water with fairly
>> large inflation, something that will likely reveal the location of
>> even a slow leak. Did this tube have any prior patch?
> The tube was not patched.
> When the tube did not appear to leak, I thought about suggesting
> submerging it in water. I don't know why I kept quiet. But even
> so, he was only looking at the tube and tire, not the rim.
Had the leak been located, further inspection of tire or rim would
have been indicated. You didn't say how the leak looked after finding
the poorly fitting rim strip. Rim strips seldom cause slow leaks so I
am curious what you found on the tube. From your explanation, it
seems the tube could have gotten a pinch puncture during installation,
it going flat faster than your original slow leak.
Also, there is practically no motion, if any, between tube and rim,
the rim being fixed with respect to longitudinal tube movement that
could cause wear. Rim strip flats occur from tube ruptures through
spoke holes into box section rims.
I suspect reapir failure.
Jobst Brandt
Mike A Schwab
> Performance on Halsted? I'd go to Rapid Transit on North, but give the
> guys at Performance a break. Sometimes you can miss a worn bit on an
> OEM strip, and they did catch it the second time.
DennisTheBald
true
me
I've done a lot of flats. Here is my general diagnostic procedure:
1. Remove the wheel with the flat.
2. Remove the tire and tube.
3. Inspect the tire for tacks, glass, staples etc. If there is
nothing obvious, you need to run your fingers lightly along the inside
of the tire. Many staple and glass punctures keep the ends in the
tire.
4. If patching, inflate the tube to a reasonable pressure, rotate it
next to your ear and cheek (facial). This way I can hear any leak and
feel the air coming out. I haven't used a water tank in years.
5. Examine the rim strip, and the rim for sharp things by running
your fingers around it.
I presume most bike shops find it cheaper (for them) to throw in a new
tube instead of patching.
On a bike with a fancy cabled hub, a shortcut is obviously to not take
the wheel off but do the same diagnostics if possible. I don't have a
problem with a fancy hub because of my skill, but I realize others
might.
I don't know why anyone would want an Electra instead of a mundane
comfort mountain bike with snow tires, and I don't know why anyone
would want to ride a bike in the cold. I don't know why anyone would
want to live in Schaumburg.
Dan O
> On Mar 10, 10:46 am, "jbol...@gmail.com" <jbol...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon +
> > tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what
> > caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short
> > term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube
> > seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of
> > the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way.
>
> > This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to
> > the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This
> > time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and
> > cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider
> > cloth strip this time.
>
> > Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as
> > standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to
> > dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike.
>
> > J.
>
> I've done a lot of flats. Here is my general diagnostic procedure:
>
> 1. Remove the wheel with the flat.
Before removing the wheel, I usually turn it one revolution and look
for an obvious cause.
> 2. Remove the tire and tube.
I usually just take one bead off the rim, then pull the tube out.
> 3. Inspect the tire for tacks, glass, staples etc. If there is
> nothing obvious, you need to run your fingers lightly along the inside
> of the tire. Many staple and glass punctures keep the ends in the
> tire.
If I haven't already noticed a cause and cleared it from the tire,
next I inflate the bare tube outside the tire to find the leak (as in
your step 4 below). After I find the leak, I can correlate it's
location in the tire and look there for the cause.
> 4. If patching, inflate the tube to a reasonable pressure, rotate it
> next to your ear and cheek (facial). This way I can hear any leak and
> feel the air coming out. I haven't used a water tank in years.
I usually pass the inflated tube through a ring formed by one hand,
held close to my ear for a second pass if necessary. This way if the
hissing leak is perceptible, I will hear the hissing diminish as it
passes under my hand, and simultaneously feel the air stream, quickly
pinpointing the leak.
(A couple drops from a water bottle can confirm the location of a tiny
leak.)
> 5. Examine the rim strip, and the rim for sharp things by running
> your fingers around it.
This is something that I don't do, unless indicated by location of
leak and no evident cause in the tire. (Maybe in the shop - just for
routine inspection while everything is apart - but not on the
roadside).
Of course, fixing the typical flat is different than fixing a slow
leak, in which the water tub may be very helpful.
>
> I presume most bike shops find it cheaper (for them) to throw in a new
> tube instead of patching.
Especially since they're charging you for the tube -plus markup.
Dan O
<snip>
>
> On a bike with a fancy cabled hub, a shortcut is obviously to not take
> the wheel off but do the same diagnostics if possible. I don't have a
> problem with a fancy hub because of my skill, but I realize others
> might.
Uh... yeah. Okay.
>
> I don't know why anyone would want an Electra instead of a mundane
> comfort mountain bike with snow tires, and I don't know why anyone
> would want to ride a bike in the cold. I don't know why anyone would
> want to live in Schaumburg.
Electra makes a really nice little pink cruiser with 16" wheels,
flower decals and matching steel fenders.
This morning in 40 degrees F with a stiff headwind I rode to the fire
station on my MTB w/ fat bouncy slicks. The last block was grassy
marsh with standing water on it - wheeeeeeee! :-)
Later, I was in the garage looking at my road bike, when the
compulsion sent me out the driveway in the mid-30's with sandals and
short sleeves.
Maybe the girls are pretty there?
Jay
"me" <dhm_at_be...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:0605010e-75d0-4507...@x19g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
>
> (snip)
>
> I don't know why anyone would want an Electra instead of a mundane
> comfort mountain bike with snow tires,
>
>
which is clearly the inspiration for the Electra Amsterdam Royal8:
http://www.mydutchbike.com/bicycles/gazelle-oma-and-opafiets/
I see the Opa comes in 66cm, while the Royal8 is a 'one size fits all' (not
sure of the frame size). That should have been my first warning that the
Royal8 would not fit me, both for my 6'4" height and 270lbs. If I needed
another warning, it would be the Thomson Elite post breaking in two after
one year's use (5,000 miles on city streets).
I am also going to swap out the handlebars, because they hit me in the knees
when turning, if I am not careful. But for the most part, the bike is OK,
the way I have customized it, for rain/snow. Otherwise, I will ride the
Cannondale BBQ.
J.
me
> "me" <dhm_at_best_dot_...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
I'm mistaken about you having a big cruiser if you have the Royal8
which I just saw.
I presume you will be tilting the handlebars upwards as a temporary
solution. With your height, maybe you've thought of using a stem
riser, in which case you would most likely have to spend a lot of
money to extend any existing cabling.
If you get the ape hanger handlebars maybe you can move the grip
shifter way down so you don't have to extend the cabling. I don't
know if this can be done without installing a bar-end kludge.
http://www.amazon.com/Nirve-Cruiser-Bicycle-Handlebar-26-Inch/dp/B000QFOMBM