Rookie flat question

I've done a first dry run of taking out and replacing the front inner tube. It went ok, I think, although it took ages and several viewings of videos and reading of threads on here. Here's my question - assuming that you're fixing a puncture or replacing a tube whilst out on a ride - do you turn the bike upside-down or just lay it on its side? The one that I did in my garage was with the bike upside-down but it's such hard work trying to flip it over without clanging anything on the handlebar. Thank you :)

Definitely on its side, derailleur side up, for just that reason. Even if you don't have a computer, bell, etc., you don't want to risk damaging the cables.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Definitely on its side, derailleur side up, for just that reason. Even if you don't have a computer, bell, etc., you don't want to risk damaging the cables.

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Thank you!

For a front wheel, I might put the bike on its side, but for a rear wheel change I find it easier to get the wheel on and off with the bike upside-down. But then I generally don't have trouble turning the bike upside-down -- that's also how I clean and lube the chain.

If you do have it upside-down, make sure you get anything you need out of the bike bag(s) while it's still upright.

Actually, for either wheel, it's much easier to take it off with the bike upright, supporting the seat stay or seatpost (for the rear wheel) or the handlebars/stem (for the front wheel) with your other hand, then lay the bike down on its side after the wheel is off. With the bike upright, the rim stays aligned in the brakes, the quick-release stays aligned in the dropouts, and (for the rear wheel) the chain stays aligned in the derailleur and the cassette. Once you turn the bike any way except the way that it's supposed to be ridden, everything gets off kilter and it's much harder to lift the wheel out cleanly.

... and I find it's much easier to do upside down and for me, LESS chance of anything being off kilter. I count on gravity to drop the wheel evenly into the dropouts without worrying about the weight of the bike leaning over and making it wonky. It's difficult with aerobars and computer, but for me, the easiest way to do it, although I can do it both ways, and usually don't bother flipping for the front wheel.

To each, his own...

I do mine upside down for the simple reason that it is easier, altho backwards but then I am a closet lefty so..... I don't worry about bumping things too much since my bike is light enough for me to swing out and turn over without bumping the garmin and computer which are on the aero bars and are protected by the bend in the aero bars. When it is upside down it rests on the tips of the aero bars and the seat.

I have a hard time remembering to take the stuff out of the seat bag before flipping it though, Fortunately, the whole bag comes off easily upside down. :)

marni

I would never put my bike upside down. I hold it up by the seat or seat tube to get the rear wheel out. Then, I lay it on the left side while I am working on the tire.
Besides putting pressure/damaging the bars and other stuff, when the bike is upside down, everything I have to do and look at is backwards, which for me is death. My visual perception and ability to remember what to do is limited at best, and I need things to be exactly the same every time!

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

... <polite snip>
To each, his own...

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Indeed! My spatial perception is not very good at all, so I think I'd do better with the bike the right way up. There's certainly less scope for collateral damage.

Thank you for all the replies :)