Bicycle Tire Problem.

james2025a · 08-17-06, 05:33 PM

I recently got a mjountain bike fromSears. I took it out of the box and fixed it all up. The problem came when i tried blowing up the tires. They don't seem to be filling at all, and air actually seems to be coming out from the small gap between the inner spokes and the rubber wheel. I wondered if it even has an innertube as the air seems to be deflating as soon as it goes in. Anyone have an idea of what to do?

I am gonna take the outer rubber wheel off and check to see it it had an inner tube. I am sure that my pump is fine, just can't see why it is losing air. Any suggestions appreciated.

Cheers

LurkerDan · 08-17-06, 05:38 PM

How could it not have a tube if you are pumping it?

The valve that a pump attaches to is part of the tube.

Is it possible that you are not "locking" the pump onto the valve?

james2025a · 08-17-06, 06:58 PM

Well i am locking it on no problem. This is the first bike i have had since i was a kid...so i am no expert at this as you can tell. Why would air be coming out from the gap between the outer hard rubber exterior part of the wheel if the air is going into the inner tube? The inner tube cannot have a hole as the bike has never been used. Its plain weird.

X · 08-17-06, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james2025a

The inner tube cannot have a hole as the bike has never been used. Its plain weird.

You never bought anything that was damaged right out of the box before?

covenant · 08-17-06, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james2025a

The inner tube cannot have a hole as the bike has never been used.

Ummm, yes it could.

Unmount the tire, take out the tube and try to pump it up by itself. If the tube is shot you can patch it or just buy another. Walmart has patch kits and tubes.

Too bad you didn't buy it from a bicycle shop where they gladly help you with stuff like this...

Heat · 08-17-06, 10:25 PM

Yes, just take the tire off of the rim and then try to blow up the inner tube. Be sure to put some cloth around the screwdriver so you don't scratch anything up (in case you have to return it).

And Sear's is fine for a basic bike, you don't have to go to a bicycle shop.

Nefarious · 08-17-06, 10:35 PM

Go to a local bike shop and invest $5-10 in a flat kit which will have a tire lever in it. If you are going to be riding at all you're going to want and need it anyway.

Especially if you will be doing trail riding where flats are more likely.

Nefarious · 08-17-06, 10:46 PM

Another note: This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as you really should practice changing a tire/flat before you start riding again. You don't want to get out riding and have a flat without the tools and experience of knowing what to do.

AGuyNamedMike · 08-18-06, 07:53 AM

Another vote for taking it to a decent, locally owned bike shop. I would recommend you have it tuned up since you put it together yourself and have admitted no recent experience with a bike. They will air up the tires, true the wheels, adjust the bearings, brakes and derailleurs (including pre-stretching the cables), adjust the handlebars and seat to your size, and do a quick safety inspection. And, if they are really a decent shop, will be happy to show you how to change and/or repair your inner tube for no extra charge.

james2025a · 08-18-06, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X

You never bought anything that was damaged right out of the box before?

To be honest.....no. I moved from the UK to the US 5 years ago and i had never encountered a bike shop where you were forced to buy the thing in a box and build it yourself. I had many bikes up until my late teens and i was always able to ride them away from the store. Its pissed me off actually that they don't offer a service to build them on site for you. Would have saved a lot of hassle.

james2025a · 08-18-06, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nefarious

Another note: This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as you really should practice changing a tire/flat before you start riding again. You don't want to get out riding and have a flat without the tools and experience of knowing what to do.

I agree with you there. Its funny, but i have had a load of bikes in my past...but have never once had a flat tire. I suppossed o should look at this as a good lesson for learning.

james2025a · 08-18-06, 08:08 AM

Thanks for all the advice everyone by the way. This is why i love this site...helpful people with good insights into.....well pretty much everything.

08-17-06, 05:33 PM	#1
james2025a DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,252	Bicycle Tire Problem. I recently got a mjountain bike fromSears. I took it out of the box and fixed it all up. The problem came when i tried blowing up the tires. They don't seem to be filling at all, and air actually seems to be coming out from the small gap between the inner spokes and the rubber wheel. I wondered if it even has an innertube as the air seems to be deflating as soon as it goes in. Anyone have an idea of what to do? I am gonna take the outer rubber wheel off and check to see it it had an inner tube. I am sure that my pump is fine, just can't see why it is losing air. Any suggestions appreciated. Cheers

08-17-06, 05:38 PM	#2
LurkerDan DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The People's Republic of Boulder Posts: 17,060	How could it not have a tube if you are pumping it? The valve that a pump attaches to is part of the tube. Is it possible that you are not "locking" the pump onto the valve? __________________ "I have dictionary facts to support me." - art "we get paid for butt time" - mosquitobite "It felt much more comfortable when I was trying them on. No sharp edge poking my skin." - Buford T. Pusser

08-17-06, 10:35 PM	#7
Nefarious DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: In the Middle Posts: 4,149	Go to a local bike shop and invest $5-10 in a flat kit which will have a tire lever in it. If you are going to be riding at all you're going to want and need it anyway. Especially if you will be doing trail riding where flats are more likely. __________________ There are three types of lies: Lies; Damned Lies; & Statistics

08-17-06, 10:46 PM	#8
Nefarious DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: In the Middle Posts: 4,149	Another note: This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as you really should practice changing a tire/flat before you start riding again. You don't want to get out riding and have a flat without the tools and experience of knowing what to do. __________________ There are three types of lies: Lies; Damned Lies; & Statistics

08-18-06, 07:53 AM	#9
AGuyNamedMike DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska! Posts: 13,609	Another vote for taking it to a decent, locally owned bike shop. I would recommend you have it tuned up since you put it together yourself and have admitted no recent experience with a bike. They will air up the tires, true the wheels, adjust the bearings, brakes and derailleurs (including pre-stretching the cables), adjust the handlebars and seat to your size, and do a quick safety inspection. And, if they are really a decent shop, will be happy to show you how to change and/or repair your inner tube for no extra charge. __________________ Groucho - What if, like, we were all living in a mouse neuron man, and what if some mouse neuron in our universe had a universe it. Whoa. Dr Mabuse - You mock, but Sutherland got some fine young stuff off that kind of thing so don't sell it short.

08-17-06, 06:58 PM	#3
james2025a DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,252	Well i am locking it on no problem. This is the first bike i have had since i was a kid...so i am no expert at this as you can tell. Why would air be coming out from the gap between the outer hard rubber exterior part of the wheel if the air is going into the inner tube? The inner tube cannot have a hole as the bike has never been used. Its plain weird.

08-17-06, 10:25 PM	#6
Heat DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 16,434	Yes, just take the tire off of the rim and then try to blow up the inner tube. Be sure to put some cloth around the screwdriver so you don't scratch anything up (in case you have to return it). And Sear's is fine for a basic bike, you don't have to go to a bicycle shop.

08-18-06, 08:08 AM	#12
james2025a DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,252	Thanks for all the advice everyone by the way. This is why i love this site...helpful people with good insights into.....well pretty much everything.