6
. The wheels
If you have derailleur gears, you should shift
the chain to the smallest sprocket before
removing the rear wheel. This shifts the rear
gear changer right to the outside where it
does not interfere with the removal of the
wheel.
Turn the wheel nut counterclockwise or open
the quick-release lever as described. If you
cannot remove the front wheel after releasing
the lever or nut, it is probably still being held
in place by drop-out catches. These come as
protrusions which extend out of each side of
the drop-outs. Just release the quick-release
adjusting nut by a few turns and slip the
wheel past the catch.
You will find it easier to remove the rear
wheel, if you pull the gear changer rear-
wards a little.
Lift the bike off the ground a little and give
the wheel a light blow with your hand so that
it drops out.
.. Dismounting tires
Screw the valve cap and the fastening nut off
the valve and deflate the tire completely.
Press the tire from the sides towards the cen-
tre of the rim. You will find it easier to remove
the tire, if you do this around its entire cir-
cumference.
Apply a plastic tire lever to the bottom edge
of the tire at a place close to the valve and
lever the tire out of the rim at this place. Hold
the tire lever tight in its position.
Slip the second tire lever between rim and
tire at a distance of about ten centimetres on
the other side of the valve and lever the next
portion over the edge of the rim.
After levering a part of the tire over the edge
of the rim, you should normally be able to slip
off the whole tire on one side by moving the
tire lever around the whole circumference.
Now you can pull out the tube. See to it that
the valve does not get caught, as this can
damage the tube.
