Bikes can be one of the easiest and most convenient forms of transportation for getting around Laie and the North Shore. But what happens when your tire goes flat? Or your chain falls off? Or your brakes stop working?
If you do not know what to do to fix these small repairs on your bikes, there is a resource for you to get your bike back on the road. Every Saturday at the Give ‘n’ Take, Les Harper provides the tools and instruction on how to fix your bikes.
Harper said, “We are doing three big things here with the bike project. First, we get to remove any bikes from campus that are just left astray, rusting and unused. Second, strictly for better transportation. Many students on campus cannot afford a bike. So with a bit of effort from them of assembling or fixing a bike here, we can get them back on wheels. Especially those students off-campus, we can help them out with a bike.
"The third is that we are teaching them skills. By the end of the time here, our hope is that they know how to fix a tire and potentially do other maintenance as well. Our main goal is to help students become as independent as possible.”
He gave pointers on how to fix a flat. Here they are step by step.
Step 1. Gather the proper tools
-New tube or patch kit
-14mm wrench x 2
-Screw driver (if you have a beach cruiser)
-Pump
Step 2. Remove the tire from the bike. Use the 14mm wrenches, or if your bike has quick releases, you can just pull the quick release and remove the tire.
Step 3.Remove the tire from the rim and pull out the tube.
Step 4. Now you can either find the hole and patch it, or pick up a new tube to replace the old one.
Step 5. Use the pump to inflate inner tube just enough so it holds its shape. You don’t want it too tight. Insert inner tube valve into valve hole. Place the rest of inner tube inside tire.
Step 6. Pump up the tire and then return the tire to the bike and replace the bolts to secure your bike.
Step 7. Ride and enjoy!
If you need help with any of these steps or getting the proper tools, stop by the Give ‘n’ Take any Saturday to get help from Les Harper and others.