failing to fix a flat

[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!!!

[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!!!

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!

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!)

[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.

[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.