The Valves - Batavus Sportief Race Handbuch

further). Loosen the rest of the tyre
with your hand (12).
5. Press the valve holder inwards,
remove the inner tube and pump it up.
In the case of a large puncture you will
hear air escaping. A smaller puncture
can be found by immersing the inner
tube in a bowl of water. Mark the
puncture with a ballpoint and dry the
inner tube off.
6. Clean the area around the puncture
with sandpaper. Allow the air out of
the inner tube. Spread a thin layer of
solution out over an area larger than
the patch. Allow the solution to dry for
1 - 2 minutes.
7. Remove the plastic backing from the
patch. Press the patch fi rmly over the
puncture.
8. Put the inner tube back into place
such that the valve holder is immedi-
ately in front of the hole in the rim
through which it must pass. Screw
the rim nut a number of turns on the
holder, put the valve back and tighten
it again (13). Blow the tyre up slightly.
(12)
9. Return the tyre to its original posi-
tion with your hands. It is very easy to
cause a puncture with the tyre levers.
Work from the valve holder and ensure
that the inner tube does not become
jammed between the rim and the tyre.
10. Push the valve part through the
rim for a moment and pull it back out
again. Pump the tyre back up, screw
the valve nut up to the rim and put the
dust cap back on.
11. Place the wheel back in the frame.
Check whether the quick release lever
is tight enough!

THE VALVES

Instead of the classical Dutch valve
(remove the dust cap and just pump),
the French valve (14) is used in racing
bicycles. Apart from the dust cap, there
is another small screw at the top of
the valve which has to be loosened a
few turns. Before pumping the tyre up,
press the valve in for a moment and
allow some air to escape to remove any
dirt which may be present. Then pump
up the tyre and tighten both the small
screw and the dust cap. A reducing
nipple (available from your Batavus
dealer) is useful if you have a bicycle
with a French valve.
T I P S
(13)
• Pump your tyres up hard. It must be
practically impossible to make an in-
dentation in the tyre with your thumbs.
Soft tyres can be damaged or punctu-
red more easily. Furthermore, tyres at
the right pressure means: easier cycling,
less wear on the tyre and faster and
better braking.
• The maximum pressure is usually
given on the side of the tyre (in Bar).
It is best to use a pump with a tyre
gauge when pumping up your tyres.
(14)
9