Brians Adventures in the World of Cycling in South Korea and Global Expeditions!: Cycling in Korea: Repairing/upgrading existing tires on your ride: touring!

Hey Pam,

How did everything workout with the Cruiser tube-repair/replacement. I know the problem with those Korean-esque tubes, they have a valve stem with a rubber hose over eyelets (internal). When you pump air into them, they sometimes fall off into the tube itself, all the air escapes, thus you need extras to replace them. I always had extras with my repair/puncture kit.

That aside, the replacement of the tubes would be sufficient if you switched to "presta style" those are the small, twist top valve seal, European kind that are used on everything today, mountain or roadbikes, highly recommended.

If you plan to do more cycling, there is also SCHWALBE MARATHON tires, you can find them for just under 30,000won each @ http://item.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=152988279&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=schwalbe+marathon&search_keyword=schwalbe%20marathon

If you decide on Schwalbe Marathon tires, be SURE to order either 26* 1.5, or 26*1.75 tires. Those are standard 26 inch tires, and the other number is the width of them, the 1.5 is narrow like you have now (exact size I believe) and the second is bigger like on my Blackcat MTB. The 26*1.5 hold higher air pressure, are lighter too.

Finally, I am still studying away and have applied for sponsorship to a few companies so far (major players in expeditions, sports...just a few though, need more PR work on my sponsorship proposal*) and received one reply today (a start!) no freebies, but they offered a discount on product. Will have to see next in correspondence. It's a tough industry, everyone wants something for free, especially for the first time...I stand to be rejected from everyone (albeit offered a discount, since I will be advertising for them).

Hope all is well, Peace from Gangneung

Brian P