Tires A lesson learned......ouch.

onewheelgone

New Member
Local time
6:19 AM
Joined
Sep 13, 2011
Messages
7
Okay.....so my shiney brand new Worksman showed up via UPS yesterday. I spent an enjoyable evening finishing the assembly, planning for its first ride this morning. A motor is in its future, of course.

I read the instructions, noting that 40psi is the recommended tire pressure. The tires already had air but were low, so I carefully brought them up and took off down the street. I noticed the forks seemed a tiny bit sensitive, but of course I haven't ridden since I was 14......and I'm 62 now, so maybe I've just forgotten what it's like to ride. I also noticed the front tire tread was running a little crooked. Faulty tread pattern perhaps?

I got home and put the bike in the house, then went to poke around on the computer, my two boxer dogs laying next to me on the floor, when suddenly..

KA-BOOM!!!!

The dogs came off the floor about two feet, looking around wildly while I tried to figure out if we just had a gas explosion or an aircraft crash in the yard. When I went into the living room, there was my front bike tire, half off the rim, with what was left of the tube hanging out in shreds.

I called Worksman and talked to Al, one of their tech staff. He surmised that the tube either had a weak spot or perhaps an un-noticed fold. My airing it up had put a strain in that spot and she let go....fortunately while "parked". If it had happened with a motor at say, 25mph, I'd have been face down on the asphalt. Al recommended puncture resistant tubes and offered to send a pair, but buying them locally will be faster so I'll go that route.

The lesson learned? Tires are the weak link in the chain...don't scrimp on them and check them constantly.
 
Hi, I have had a similar experience. Here are a couple tips to save you from a repeat.

Install 1 bead of the tire.

Partially inflate the tube (just enough to give a little shape)

Install the tube in the valve hole and tire, and squirt soapy water on the beads (not really necessary but helps with stubborn tires)

Install the second bead, pushing the opposite side deep into the center of rim, allowing bead to "stretch" over the rim where you are working.

When you get it on, check the tube is not pinched anywhere and inflate to 5-10 psi.

Check both sides and make sure the tire is aligned well (not bulging or sinking anywhere along the rim). If all is good, inflate to full pressure (maybe use a simple guage if the one on your pump might be faulty).

Good luck.
 
Back
Top