failing to fix a flat

[batsheva]

I was doing so well with the cycling but getting up to distances when it would be a LONG walk back to the car and home if I got a puncture - so tonight I was calm relaxed patient.... and decided to practice in the comfort of my living room...

2 and a half hours later reduced to tears - ugh-- getting tire off - no worries - getting the beading bits back into the rim - impossible - thought I got it once and kerpop... squished tube - pinch flat--- cant even get the tires back on now...

VERY disappointed and oh so frustrated I cant do something as simple as this-- hands all cut up and raw and an unrideable road bike...

guess I goto the LBS and ask for a lesson to show me how, huh? been and read lots of internet articles, little videos, etc but still 2.5hrs later with raw battered hands and no success :-(

hope the LBS can show me where I am going wrong - hope it is something simple and not something I just havent got the hand strength to do

Frustrated newby with one inflated wheel and one in parts on the living room floor :-(

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Bat,
Read this thread and get one of these levers, it will REALLY HELP:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=221813#post221813

[batsheva]

i'll see if i can get one--
obviously i am not the only one to have difficulties...

i will try the LBS tomorrow and ask about it - and ask them to put my wheel back together--- how embarassing..

[Zen]

Don't be embarrassed, you tried.
I've never even tried!
It's probably something simple that's missing in your method.

But yeah, those speed levers do look interesting.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You know way more about changing a flat now than you did before you tried. It just means you're already half way through the learning process! :)

[RolliePollie]

I had absolutely no idea how to fix a flat and I had no one to ask about it when I got my first one. Sounds like you already have the right idea but getting the tire back on is fighting you. Here's what I did to figure this all out:

Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79cmQlACL6s

If the link doesn't work, you can just go to youtube and type "repair puncture" in the search box.

It's kind of a goofy video, but I followed the instructions and next thing you know, I patched my tube, got everything put back together, and was up and running again.

I did find that the hardest part was getting the tire back on. I used one of the tire levers to push it into place. If you have brand new tires, it seems to be harder. Now that I've had my front tire off four times, it's a lot looser. I'm hoping four flats in as many months will be enough to last me a while!

I was really frustrated too, but I did it. You can too! Good luck!!!

[Jiffer]

I was lucky to have Dh give me a step by step, hands on lesson recently. He's a good teacher. I can't imagine trying to do it myself just from reading about it on the internet. Good for you for trying!

I also have to say that the hardest part was getting the tire back on, but I had Dh to work with me through it. You don't have that. Hopefully you can get a lesson at your LBS or maybe that video will help.

Don't beat yourself up. At least you're being pro-active in trying to learn. Many people don't bother until they're forced to. My friend, who I just rode with for the first time, doesn't even have a tire repair kit on her bike, let alone know how to use it. Nor does she pump her own tires. Her Dh does it for her. She says she has a cell phone instead of a tire repair kit, but I'd hate to be that dependant on a phone working and someone being able to come and rescue me. Now, if only I can remember how to change the tire if and when I ever actually need to! :D

I say you're amazing for trying and I feel your frustration. (I found myself in tears just trying to pump my tires one of the first times!)

[Tuckervill]

When I wear my blue jersey without pockets, I don't have any place to put my phone. When I am mountain biking, it's not a problem because all my baggy shorts have pockets. But this weekend I actually emptied my seat bag and put all my essentials in there (phone, id, money). I kept the multitool, too. :)

I remember deciding how much I might need that tube and tire levers...and I would just rather have my phone if I had to make a choice. I can walk my bike if it gets a flat. If I fall and get injured, I want to be able to call someone! When I'm really far away from home, I make sure to have *everything*. ;)

Karen

[Torrilin]

hope the LBS can show me where I am going wrong - hope it is something simple and not something I just havent got the hand strength to do

Even if you don't have the hand strength right now, trying is good. That's how you build up hand strength.

At least on a bike you won't run into the problem of a bolt being tightened so much that standing on the end of a 3 foot breaker bar doesn't give you enough force to loosen it :). That was a common experience for me with car tires... I'm pretty strong, but I'm not strong enough to break loose a bolt that has been tightened with an air wrench.

Most things are easier with an in person lesson. It *will* get easier!

[DebW]

A few tips about the tube. Put a little air in it so that it holds it's shape when you are getting the first side of the tire on the rim. Then work the tube inside the rim and start the 2nd side of the tire. At this point, air in the tube works against you and makes pinch flats more likely, so let out as much air as you can and run your finger around the inside the tire bead to ensure that the tube will not get pinched between tire and rim. Now work on as much of the 2nd side of the tire as will go easily. Try to let even more air out of the tube by squeezing the 2 side of the tire together.

The last part is difficult, as you discovered, and it really depends on how tightly the rim and tire fit together. Campy rims are a little larger in outside diameter and are known to be hard to mount tires on. Some tires are slightly smaller in bead than others and harder to mount. You could ask your LBS to recommend tires that will be easier for you to mount.

The job becomes easier by getting the proper leverage and using your thumbs effectively. You should be holding the wheel so that the last bit of bead to be pushed over the rim is away from you. I like to squat and lay the wheel flat on my legs. Then use the meaty part of your thumbs, with both thumbs close together and working on the same bit of bead. Push a bit of bead over the rim with 2 thumbs, then move to the next bit. The last push is actually the easiest. The hardest bit is with about 6" left to go.

Good luck. You can do this. Remember, it's not strength that counts, but leverage.

[BikerJen]

Changing the tubes was one of the first lessons I got after I bought my bikes. If your LBS offers a Bike 101 repair class, I'd recommend it. The shop I bought my bikes from had one and I learned alot!!! Changing the tubes gets easier! If you have a mountain bike, it's probably going to be easier than the road bike. Definitely invest in some tire levers... I carry 2 per bike and 3 in my camelback. It will get easier! Don't give up!!! :D

[northstar]

If your LBS offers a Bike 101 repair class, I'd recommend it. The shop I bought my bikes from had one and I learned alot!!! Changing the tubes gets easier! It will get easier! Don't give up!!! :D

Yes, yes, and yes!

I had to do a clinic at my LBS to learn how to change a tube/tire. I felt embarrassed when I showed up, but I was not alone, and they had a woman showing us how to do things, so she talked a bit about some of the tricks she uses because she has smaller hands. Not that I can remember any of those tricks at the moment...

It will get easy!

[batsheva]

thank you ladies for your words of encouragement-- i signed up at the LBS for next bike maintenance class which apparently spends 95% of its time teaching people how to fix flats -

the guy at the LBS didnt make me feel dumb at all for not managing - but he just whizzed around pushing it in like it was soft butter in like 30 seconds all up with no apparent effort-- practice I guess :-)

HOWEVER - i was so grateful for not being made to look like a dumb-girly like we get all too often with car mechanics - y'all know the non-verbals we get at times...

well, I was so grateful, I upgraded my front derailleur from tiagra to 105 to match the back - tee hee - the upgrades commence :-) just $60 this time.... but saw these FAB wheel set too... hmm... :-)

i read on the internet all over that there was little point in upgrading the FD up just one class like that, but compared to my 105 rear de-r, it felt relatively 'lumpy' so i changed out anyway - and WOW, what a difference it feels like - the tiagra worked 100% fine and was corrently adjusted but just the speed and smoothness of the shifting is definitely so much better with the 105 FD, whatever the internet reviews say-- i am thrilled to bits with it - and more importantly, my bike is no longers in bits on the floor after getting the LBS to help out--

oh-- also got a little cyclocomputer too whilst i was there :-D
just a cheapy-cheapy until i know exactly what i will be wanting later down the line with those, when i can spend the $ then...

thanks again for your support everyone!!
batsheva

[batsheva]

pouring with rain in orlando-- so no bike ride - i even tidied the house as i was so bored :-) then what??? thought i'd have another go at change tires-- had bought a plastic 'supertool' lever-- and guess what - i managed to change it in less than 5 mins with this.... had a sit down to recover from the shock - and tried again-- again success in like 3 mins--- what a difference to my tribulations earlier in the week--- seem to be getting the hang of how the beading goes in now--- maybe i will practice with the rear when i can get out on the bike long enough so i can get the gear onto the littlest cog at the back-- cant get enough speed riding in the living room to change down :-)

but i did it - twice on the front - thank you for your encouraging words that i WOULD learn to do it okay - you were right :-)

[Tri Girl]

Yay- see you're getting much faster!!!! Woo hoo!!
New tires also make a difference. When I got new tires on my bike and had to change a flat- they were hard as heck to get back on (and I could change my old tires in less than 3-4 min). New tires are always so much tighter and more difficult to get back on. Maybe it's the tires, and not you! :D

Have fun at your class!!!

[ace]

I had the same problem with not being able to get my tire back on, until I took a flat fixing class with the luna chix. I have carpal tunnel so I just couldn't get the freakin' thing back on, but the teacher showed us how to do it pretty much like Deb says, squat (or sit) with the tire on your knees to get leverage, and use the meaty part of your hand to push the tire in. That was the most helpful part- before I was using my fingers/thumb to try to push the bead in. Gripping the other side of the rim with my fingers and pushing the tire in with the meaty part of my hand worked! First tire changed, 6/20/07 at around 9 pm (in that class). I actually cried I was so happy.

[galaxygirl]

That youtube video helped me immensely. I couldn't get a picture in my head of how to change a tire. I've never tried it, but after watching the video, I think it might be possible. (Someday!) :rolleyes:

[wiseowl]

Thank goodness it isn't just me! By some miracle (and my flat-resistant tires, which unfortunately are not manufactured any longer) I have never had a flat out riding. But I was a good girl and tried it at home, and it took 30 minutes. I talked myself up by reminding myself at least I COULD do it. Thanks for the video recommendation! Getting the dern thing back on is definitely the hard part for me- I just can't get the tire to seat itself correctly.

[bikerchick68]

one more tip I learned is to put your extra new tubes in a baggie with a little baby powder squirted in... then when you put the new tube into the wheel (DO inflate a little as suggested so they go in easier and hold shape) the rubber of the tube doesn't stick to the tire or wheelset... slides ride in, smooth as a baby's bottom...:D

of course, you also smell good for the rest of the ride...:p

glad you figured it out... it's an important skill to have...way to go!

[DebW]

maybe i will practice with the rear when i can get out on the bike long enough so i can get the gear onto the littlest cog at the back-- cant get enough speed riding in the living room to change down :-)

but i did it - twice on the front - thank you for your encouraging words that i WOULD learn to do it okay - you were right :-)

Congrats! Good to hear that you and your tires have come to a cooperative agreement.

To get the gear into the smallest cog, you don't need to ride the bike. Simply move your rear gear shifter multiple clicks until you've gone far enough to get to the smallest cog if you were riding. Then lift the back of the bike and pedal it a couple revolutions and the chain will be where you want it. Because you're going downhill on the cogs and the derailleur is spring-loaded that way, it works nicely. After you change the flat, you'll want to get out of the small cog before you start riding. In this case, move the shifter one click, then pedal until the chain jumps one cog, then move another click and pedal again, etc.