Monday, Jan 21 2019 [42,804 miles]
New tire time
Warming in the sun
A week ago the bike wasn’t handling right on the way back from breakfast. The front end didn’t feel planted. The tire looked OK with plenty of miles left. On the other hand the wear wasn’t even from side-to-side and the tire was 2 1/2 years and a little more than 15,000 miles old. I ordered a new tire. Time to put it on the bike.
But first…
Largish puncture
The culprit
Plugged
Not holding steady
Back on the bike
Uhhh, maybe the front tire wasn’t the source of my problems. I’m well aware that rear end issues often show up as a funny feel in the front. I was so sure it was a front tire issue I never thought to check the rear. I tried plugging the hole but it is pretty large and took a couple of plugs before it held air. I have no faith that the plug will hold long term. At least it is good enough to support the rear of the bike while I remove the front wheel and mount the new tire.
A new rear is on order. Too bad. This one is less than one year and 5000 miles old. Good thing the Shinko 705s are cheap.
Ready to remove front
On the stand
cleaning
Ready to mount
About the only time I clean my spoke wheels is changing tires. The front rim certainly needed cleaning. I probably spent twice as long cleaning as actually changing the tire.
The wheel with a new tire is back on the bike. I’ll wait until the rear tire has been replaced before I give the bike a test ride.