Everyone is familiar with the common puncture where a sharp object punctures the tyre and inner tube. However, some cyclists look irritated when they puncture a tyre without recognising any damage from the outside. In this case, a puncture has crushed the inner tube so hard against the two horns of the rim that the thin rubber skin has been punctured. This is known as a "snake bite" because the two adjacent holes look like a snake bite. The correct tyre pressure helps to prevent this puncture, which is why you should check it regularly.
There are a few things you need to bear in mind when repairing a tyre so that you don't end up with the next puncture: Take a close look at the section of the tyre that lies over the damaged area of the inner tube and check whether there are any glass splinters or other foreign objects stuck there. Check whether the tyre sidewalls have remained undamaged after a puncture and also check the rim tape around the entire circumference of the rim. The tape must lie evenly on the rim base, it must be wide enough to cover all holes and it must not be possible to move it sideways.
After the repair, hold the wheel by the quick release or hub, turn it slowly and take a close look: There is a control ring on the tyre sidewall near the edge of the rim. This ring must be the same distance from the edge of the rim on both sides around the entire circumference. If not, you must deflate the tyre again and realign it, otherwise the inner tube may be pinched.
Degree of difficulty: Basic work without prior knowledge
You will need:
- Tool: ztwo plastic tyre levers, air pump
