Before winter, we store our bicycles away, and proper maintenance before storage is essential.
Today, we'll talk about tire maintenance, a topic many cyclists overlook, thinking that since they're in contact with the ground, cleaning them is pointless-they'll just get dirty again after a few rides. However, when maintaining your tires, you'll discover many issues you wouldn't notice during regular riding.
The tools needed for cleaning tires include a shoe brush, a large brush, a spray bottle, and a small screwdriver.
First, use the large brush to remove surface dust from the tires. While brushing, pay attention to whether there are any small stones or grains of sand stuck in the tire treads. If so, use the small screwdriver to remove them.
At the same time, check for any hard objects that haven't punctured the outer tire and remove them promptly to avoid puncturing the inner tube.
Sometimes, a punctured object isn't long enough or applied too forcefully and remains stuck in the tire. It may not have damaged the inner tube immediately, but if you don't remove it in time, it will damage the inner tube under impact during later riding. Another thing to check is for any hard damage to your tires. When riding on gravel roads, sharp stones can leave long gashes on your bicycle tires, even if the inner tube isn't damaged. However, the inner tube will be visible through the gashe, and such tires should no longer be used. This type of damage is common on gravel roads, and you should check your tires for this after each ride on such surfaces.
Finally, use a shoe brush and a spray bottle to wash away any stubborn dirt from the tires. Then inflate the tires to the correct pressure and store them away.
Note: To prevent tire deformation, rotate the tire's contact patch about once a week. Simply rotate the wheel; there's no need to push the bike.
This reduces tire deformation caused by pressure on the bicycle body and prolonged storage. If possible, hang your bicycle up so the tires don't touch the ground. To maintain tire elasticity, use half the tire pressure when hanging up; don't over-inflate.
Maintaining your own bicycle can be very rewarding, saving you money and giving you a great sense of accomplishment.
