6
. The wheels
Repair the puncture according to the instruc-
tions of the repair kit manufacturer or replace
the tube by a new one. In the case of high
pressure tires, we advise against repairing
punctures.
If you have removed the tire, you should
also check the rim tape. The tape should lie
squarely in the base of the rim, covering all
spoke ends, and should not be torn anywhere
or brittle.
In the case of rims with a double base – known
as hollow section rims – the tape must cover
the entire floor of the rim, but it should not be
so broad as to stand up along the sides of the
rim. Rim tapes for this type of rim should only
be made of textile or durable plastic.
Ask your MERIDA dealer, if you are in doubt
about what kind of rim tape to use.
If necessary, you can remove the whole tire
by pulling the other tire edge off the rim.
If you have a puncture en route, do
not pull the whole tube out of the tire.
Leave the valve sticking in the rim. Pump up
the tube. Look for the hole through which
the air escapes with a hissing sound. When
you have found the hole, look for the cor-
responding place on the tire and examine it.
Often, you will find a foreign body sticking
in the tire. If so, remove it.
.. Mounting tires
When mounting a tire make sure no foreign
matter such as dirt or sand gets inside the tire
and you do not injure the tube.
Slip one edge of the tire onto the rim. Using
your thumbs, press it over the edge of the rim
around the entire circumference. This should
always be possible without using tools,
regardless of the type of tire.
Stick the valve of the tube through the hole
in the rim.
Inflate the tube slightly so that it becomes
round and push it into the tire all the way
round. Make sure not to leave any folds in
the tube.
