Shadowcat78

I took off the back tire of my Schwinn Sanctuary to replace the tube..and Now I can't for the life of me figure out which way it goes to put it back on..and Haven't found a youtube video that was the least bit helpful...re there any other Sanctuary riders that would be able to help?..possibly with a picture of the back tire from both sides?...thanks in advance

katsrevenge

I have one. The side with the gears goes on the side with the chain. Other than that, I don't think it matters.

CliffordK

Add some notes about what kind of bike you have. Perhaps some photos.

Is it a 5 speed with derailleur?
3 speed internal gearing?
Single Speed?

The photos I see online look like there are several models, but otherwise nothing too different from every other bike.

Shadowcat78

I have a single speed....my ex came over and put the wheel back on...now it looks wobbly as it spins....

CliffordK

Without spinning the wheel, can you grab the tire and make it wobble back and forth at the hub?

FBinNY 

Not sure what the problem is, tire or wheel,

BUT I love the headline.

It conjured an image of some island with a bunch of vintage bikes surround by high reeds, maybe off the west coast of Florida, or near Mobile Bay.

Shadowcat78

It almost looks like it could be a deformity in the wheel or tire..however internet searches have pointed to the possibility of the tire not being seated properly or a pinch in the tube...so..taking the whole mess apart again....and starting over

CliffordK

Yeah...
I had a different image.

Of me coming over with my angle grinder.
(No Schwinns were actually damaged with this project).





Good point, there are 3 types of wobbles that I can think of.

• Loose Bearing Cones. The whole wheel can be wobbled when not turning
• Out of true, or bent rim. The rim wobbles when spinning.
  If only a little, it can be easily fixed with a spoke wrench. Anybody can fix it, but perhaps best to have someone show you first.
  If really bad (like after getting run over by a car), then it can't be fixed.
• Poorly seated tire. Rim spins ok, but the tire wobbles. There should be markings on the edge of the tire that should be even going around the wheel. This needs to be fixed as it could cause a blowout on the road.

FBinNY 

Let's go back to basics. Step one is deciding if the wheel itself is straight. Leave it in the bike and hold a reference like a pencil braced against either seat stay a small distance from the side of the rim. Spin the wheel and see if the rim itself is wobbling.

If the rim is wobbling, it's a spoke related problem. If the wheel runs true, it's a tire mounting related problem. If the wheel spins true, but the whole wheel can be jiggled on the axle, then it's loose hub bearings.

When mounting tires, mount starting opposite and work toward the valve in both directions. After finishing at the valve, push it in as far as you can (without losing it) and it'll pull out any tube you might have trapped under the tire. Next inflate only enough to give the tire shape and make it firm. Spin the wheel slowly while watching the reference line molded into the tire just above the rim. It should remain equidistant. Check both sides and, if necessary, massage the tire into place so the reference line runs true on both sides. Now it's OK to inflate to full pressure, and you should be good to go.

Shadowcat78

I can wobble the whole wheel just a teensy bit without spinning the wheel....the front wheel doesn't do this

CliffordK

It sounds like the wobble you were noticing earlier may have been a poorly seated tire or pinched tube.

Being able to "wobble" the whole wheel can lead to rapid wear of the cones and bearings. The adjustment is pretty easy, but it does take some practice. You probably will need a cone wrench. Sometimes on can do minor adjustments without one, but it is tough, especially if you haven't adjusted the cones before.

Do you have a neighbor that you ever see working on his or her bike on the front porch?

Shadowcat78

Unfortunately no...I have a bike shop I can take it to though...I am afraid of permanently screwing up the bike if I keep messing with it....

CliffordK

If the tire is mounted wrong, you might work on that a bit more. It is good practice.

Are you able to mount (and dismount?) the tire with just your fingers?

I always do the valve first, and work away from the valve, but FBinNY's method is reasonable, with doing the valve last, then using it to clear any rubber under the tire. I'm just careful that I don't roll the tube under the tire, especially near the end.

The bike shop should be able to tighten the cones. If you bought the bike new there, they might do it for free
Watch the guys there if possible.

Here in Eugene, we also have a local bike co-op where the "mechanics" will help teach you about the bikes. See if you have a local one.

FBinNY 

Detroit has (had?) 2 bicycle co-ops the OP can check out. The Hub which is downtown, and Red Planet , near Woodwrd & Seven Mile. Either can help him out, and maybe he can help them in return.

Shadowcat78

Red Planet is right near me....awesome

Needles

Do you mean which way to mount the tire according to the direction it turns? If there's no arrow on the sidewall, and the tire has tread in a "V" shaped pattern, mount the tire on the rim so that when you look down at the tread on top of the tire, the "Vs" point forward. No"Vs"? It probably doesn't matter. It may not anyway.