Slow Leak

[MiltonDorkenhoff]

My front tire has a slow leak - it lost 6lbs of pressure in 3 weeks. What should I do about it (apart from checking the pressure all the time and refilling it). Is this something the dealer will likely fix for free (I have less than 700 miles on the bike).

I've only filled it up at a gas station so far, which is kind of a pain. The pump itself has a timer so it's a mad rush - squeeze my hand between the disk and spokes, add air, check the pressure, add more air, etc; all while the timer is ticking. What does everyone else do for air - any favorite pumps, compressors, etc?

Thanks

 

[JonKerr]

Check and make sure you don't have a nail or something in the tire. You'll need to look close, especially if it's been there for a while. The head may have come off. Otherwise, just be sure to check them before you go out. I check mine every time I take the bike out. Tires sometimes just do loose air over time. Especially in the cold. Also, when you're checking them at the gas station, your tires are probably hot, which will show a higher pressure than when they're cold. Make sure to check them consistently, weather it's hot or cold. I like to check mine when they're cold simply because you're more likely to get a consistent reading than after you've ridden. One time you may not get the tires as warm as the last time. That'll effect your pressure reading.

 

[FitZ6R]

Yup, like Jon said, some (but I doubt all) of the drop may be temp-related.

You could douse the tire, wheel, and valve with soapy water to see if you can detect a leak. If there's a puncture, it's clearly not a warranty issue, but the dealer might cover a leaking valve as a goodwill gesture. Sometimes all it takes is tightening the valve core.

As far as compressed air sources, you've already discovered that pay-by-the-minute is the worst way to fly. I have a self-contained, rechargeable jumpstarter / inflator that's pretty decent, and it won't kill your cycle battery. If you have room for it, a stationary, 120V compressor with a tank is a truly great thing to have.

 

[99vengeur]

I always check my tires when they are cold. You get a more consistent reading each time this way.

As for air pumps, I use the same tire pump that I use for my road race bicycle. It only takes a few strokes to get 6-10 psi into the tire. I don't like to use air compressors that you find at gas stations because there really is no way to regulate the flow rate and pressure from them.

 

[MiltonDorkenhoff]

Thanks. That's one of the concerns I had with the pump at the gas station; the tires are warm when I get there (as are the discs!). I had considered using a bicycle pump. I have a pretty decent one I used for my road bike, but I wasn't sure I could get the spigot (?) off the valve fast enough to avoid losing all of the air I put in. I guess there's only one way to find out

Thanks

 

[JSP]

I use a bike pump and it works pretty good. I generally fill them up a little past where I want them and then use my gauge which has a bleed off button to drop it right where it should be.

I had a very slow leak in my truck tire just as you describe. I couldnt find anything wrong with it but decided to take it in before my cross country move. It did indeed have a nail in it. They patched it no prob. Free at that.