Operation Manual

59
11. The wheels
With Presta valves you first have to undo the
small knurled nut a little and press it in care-
fully until air starts to escape. With this valve
type it often happens that the valve body is
not screwed in properly and air slowly leaks
out. Check the seat of the valve body in its
stem.
Tires with Schrader valves have the conven-
ience that you can inflate them at a filling sta-
tion with a compressed air dispenser. Actuate
the compressed air dispenser in short blasts
as you may otherwise overinflate the tire and
make it burst. To let off air, press the needle in
the centre of the valve using e.g. a key.
Hand pumps are often unsuitable for inflating
tires to high pressures.
A better choice is a floor- or foot-operated
pump equipped with a manometer which
enables you to check the pressure at home.
Treat your tires well, in particular do
not ever ride over sharp edges. Never
inflate your tires beyond the maximum per-
missible pressure, otherwise one of them
might burst or come off the rim during the
ride.
Always ride your bike with the pre-
scribed tire pressure and check the
pressure at regular intervals.
Replace spoilt rim tapes immediately.
Strictly adhere to the notes on instal-
lation and care of your tire given in
chapter 11. ”The wheels“ as well as to the
service instructions of the tire manufacturer.
If you replace, e.g., a worn tire, make
sure you mount a tire which is identi
-
cal in size. Wide tires on a too narrow rim
may lead to a spongy rideability and the
tire may at worst slip off the rim. Danger of
crash!
Your MERIDA dealer has adapters for all
types of valves which allow you to inflate any
type of tire at the filling station.
Replace tires with a worn tread, brittled or
frayed sides. Dampness and dirt penetrating
the tire can cause damage to its inner struc-
ture.