I feel lost...

[Miranda]

For the first time since I have owned my bike, I'm without her tonight. She's at the shop getting new tires.

I've had my bikes away for a day to get looked at, but oh my... this is an awful feeling. She usually resides in the formal dining room (aka 'bike room'). The mtb stays in the garage with a bit of dirt where she's most comfortable anyway.

The spot where my roadie girl rests looks SO empty. I never thought I would get this mixed up about my bike being gone from the house. I frankly feel rather displaced and confused. Gheez... wonder if I can sleep tonight?

Tell me I'm not alone:o...

[redrhodie]

Aw, she's probably having fun with all the other bikes. Don't worry about her! She'll be home soon.

[Miranda]

Aw, she's probably having fun with all the other bikes. Don't worry about her! She'll be home soon.

Thx:) ...lol... That's funny and true. Ghee, I hope they are nice. I wouldn't want her to pick up any rebel influences. Or well then again... if it would help me ride faster, then just maybe...:rolleyes:

[kermit]

Oh yeah, she's partying with the pack. Just think how happy she will be to see you!!!!!!

[lph]

aw, c'mon, let a girl go to a spa, will ya! ;)

[OakLeaf]

What everyone else said. She's taking a day off to get pampered!

Ask me about taking parts off your bike that you've never done before... jamming it into a shipping case you've never used before... consigning it to strangers and hoping the frame doesn't get broken... :eek: (it was fine, both ways :))

[Miranda]

What everyone else said. She's taking a day off to get pampered!

Ask me about taking parts off your bike that you've never done before... jamming it into a shipping case you've never used before... consigning it to strangers and hoping the frame doesn't get broken... :eek: (it was fine, both ways :))

:eek: That gives me chest pains just thinking about it.

Glad all was well.

[SouthernBelle]

The moral to this is to learn how to put on tires. :D

[Geonz]

If you can't be with the bike you love

Love the bike you're with.

[indysteel]

The moral to this is to learn how to put on tires. :D

I agree. Mounting your own tires is good practice for fixing flats, which you indicated was a concern in your other tire-related thread. If you don't feel comfortable doing it on your own just yet, in the very least, go to the shop and ask them to help you do it. The mechanics I've worked with are more than happy to oblige.

If you don't already own something like this, I recommend buying a book on bicycle maintenance. That doesn't mean you need to commit to doing your own wrenching, but it is useful for jobs like this one and/or emergency repairs.

[uforgot]

I was also wondering why you didn't just put on your own tires? Especially if you think you need practice. Better in your garage than on the side of the road!

[violette]

Be carful, someone might try to make the moves on her!!! You better get her back fast. Ha! Ha!

[Miranda]

Thx girls for the DIY encouragement. I do indeed need some experience. My hands are an issue. But, if stuck on the road, the situation doesn't inquire about such things. It just happens.

My girl came home. Which is good. I did have them save the rear tire that was half way ok. Makes for a good indoor trainer riding tire. I think when it comes time to switch out, that would be good practice incentive.

I also have my very old 10 speed from when I was a kid in my garage. She definately needs some fixing. Maybe she could be one of my winter learing DIY projects.

[Mr. Bloom]

This is a $7 tool that Silver and I have found VERY helpful - particularly in putting new tires on. Once Silver tried for 1 month to get new tires on her wheels...and couldn't do it until she got this.

It's telescopic and attaches on the skewer and slides around the edge of the rim seating the tire.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/MrSilver1963/speed.jpg

[OakLeaf]

linky? or who's the manufacturer?

[arielmoon]

I feel your pain! I have seperation anxiety! Dara spent the night at the LBS and I was so lonely last night without her! Her spot in the entry room was so... vaccant! :(

Mr Silver- I want to know where to find this tool too!!

[Blueberry]

I think this is the tool: http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php

Looks like lots of places (performance, etc) have it.

CA

[arielmoon]

I think this is the tool: http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php

Looks like lots of places (performance, etc) have it.

CA
$6 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Crank-Brothers-Speed-Lever-Tire/dp/B001BIZARI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1225981195&sr=8-2

[newfsmith]

That's a Crank Bros. Speed Lever. http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php
Many shops carry them, or can order one. Most on-line sellers also carry them. I always carry one, you never know when you will ask someone if they need help on a ride, only to discover that this is what is needed. Also is good insurance on a long solo ride when your hands may be weaker than normal.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I use the Crank Bros. speed lever for the past several years as well. It's nice.
That said however....using your hands to get tires on and off is always preferable to using ANY lever- even the handy CrankBros speed lever can catch the tube and cause pinch flats.
The last few tires I've put off and on I was able to use just my hands, no levers at all. But sometimes a brand new tight tire can be a real bear to wrestle on and a lever is needed, especially to get that last bit back on.

Be careful when using any lever- they easily pinch the tube inside if you are too careless and cause tube damage which results in a flat either immediately upon pumping up or down the road a bit.

Here's my TE post recommending the Crank Bros. Speed Lever exactly 2 years ago in Nov 2006 :) :) :
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=143471&postcount=15
Nowadays I still use it, but only if the tire is too difficult to get on and off using just my hands.

[Miranda]

This is a $7 tool that Silver and I have found VERY helpful - particularly in putting new tires on. Once Silver tried for 1 month to get new tires on her wheels...and couldn't do it until she got this.

It's telescopic and attaches on the skewer and slides around the edge of the rim seating the tire.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/MrSilver1963/speed.jpg


Mr. Silver... looks like you created a stir of interest since I last read this helpful tire tool tip! I was just coming back to post that this tool was in my "buy" basket at REI today:).

Sounds like this thing could only be better if it were strong metal, vs plastic. But, then it would be heavier than most roadies would want to carry along. What a great tip.

Yes, very true as noted by BSG... need to be careful. Damage with the tool would be adding insult to injury. Good advice.

Sorry about Silver's month long tire episode :eek:. Sounds like another thread I recently read titled "Evil Tires of Doom". Uumm, that was my total fear in our recent freakish warm weather. OK, will we have snow by the time my practice session results in success:o.

Thanks!
Miranda