First rear flat

[RolliePollie]

Well, after 1800 miles, I guess it was bound to happen. A rear flat on my brand new rear tire that I just paid to have put on two days ago.

Having never taken the rear wheel off before, I decided I wouldn't even try to fix it on the road. Luckily I was only about 1.5 miles from home because I had forgotten my cell phone. So I decided to just walk. Ummmm...my poor feet!!! Yowza! Bike shoes are definitely not made for walking. So I finally got home and took the wheel off, got the tire off, put in a new tube, etc. Getting the tire back on the wheel took forever...nothing like a nice tight new tire. Then the really fun part...how the heck is the chain supposed to go? I had to come inside and find a picture on the internet, print it, and take it back to the bike so I could figure it out. I struggled with that for a while and finally got things where they were supposed to be. It's all put back together now and I rode it on the driveway...seems like everything is ok. Now I am going to admit to how long it took me to change the flat...are you ready? You're not going to believe this. It took an hour and ten minutes!!! Is that pitiful or what?!?!?! Oh well, at least I know how to do it now. Maybe next time it will only take 45 minutes.

[sandra]

I hate to hear that! Did you check the tire good for whatever could have caused the flat?

[RolliePollie]

I hate to hear that! Did you check the tire good for whatever could have caused the flat?

Yup...it was a goathead thorn. As part of the tube replacement project, I put Mr. Tuffy liners in the tire. I hope the liners work because it's the peak of goathead season around here. I was going to go ahead and put a liner in the front tire too, but I was sooooo irritated and exasperated after fixing the rear flat that I decided to wait until I get a front flat and am forced to take everything apart again!

[SouthernBelle]

There is an easy trick to putting the back wheel back on, but I don't know if I can explain it. Stand on the other side of the bike from the cassette and derailleur. Lift the bike with your left hand, hold the wheel in your right. Slide the wheel in place, then use the end of your skewer/quick release to snag the lower part of your chain, pushing it down. Then pull The wheel back to the derailleur. At this point the derailleur is blocking access to the dropouts. Use the end of the skewer, or your hand, to push back the dangling part of the Derailleur where your chain squirrels through like an 'S'. That will give you access to the drop out. pull your wheel back and up to the dropouts, making sure it's straight so it will slide between the brake pads.

I know that's about as clear as mud, but once you've done it, or seen it done, a little light bulb will flash on.

[Jolt]

Hey, at least you didn't do what I once did and forget to disconnect your rear brake! Talk about making it hard to get the wheel on...then I felt like a real doofus when I figured out what the problem was.

[zondian]

I am sorry to hear about your flat tire day, and how long it took to change. But you got it done, and it will be quicker next time If it makes you feel any better, it will take me at least that long to change my first flat. I am dreading it. In fact, I think I'm going to go to LBS this week and hopefully she'll let me change a tire for practice.

[RolliePollie]

There is an easy trick to putting the back wheel back on, but I don't know if I can explain it. Stand on the other side of the bike from the cassette and derailleur. Lift the bike with your left hand, hold the wheel in your right. Slide the wheel in place, then use the end of your skewer/quick release to snag the lower part of your chain, pushing it down. Then pull The wheel back to the derailleur. At this point the derailleur is blocking access to the dropouts. Use the end of the skewer, or your hand, to push back the dangling part of the Derailleur where your chain squirrels through like an 'S'. That will give you access to the drop out. pull your wheel back and up to the dropouts, making sure it's straight so it will slide between the brake pads.

I know that's about as clear as mud, but once you've done it, or seen it done, a little light bulb will flash on.

Thanks SouthernBelle - that sort of makes sense, and at least it gives me a clue that there's an easier way to get the tire back on! Now I must find someone to show me this in person!!!

Jolt - lol, I did that with my first front flat! Amazing how the wheel comes right off when the tire is flat even if you don't release the brakes!!!

Zondian - if you do go to your LBS, have them show you what SouthernBelle is talking about. Believe me, you want to know how to do this before it actually happens to you out on the road!

[Trekhawk]

It took an hour and ten minutes!!! Is that pitiful or what?!?!?! Oh well, at least I know how to do it now. Maybe next time it will only take 45 minutes.

Dont be too hard on yourself the positive is YOU DID IT.

I found this guide from TE really helped:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp

I printed it out and would carry it in my seat bag until I was sure I had it down pat (doesn't hurt to have advice close at hand). I find turning my bike upside down helps a lot when changing the back tyre.

Well done and just think how easy the next one will be.

[indigoiis]

Trek does this workshop: http://www.fitforwomentour.com/
with participating bike shops. Ask your lbs if they ever do workshops to teach folks how to do quick repairs. At the Trek event, I got a little magazine that has a step-by-step instruction on changing a rear flat, which they also showed us in the workshop. When the time comes to use it, I've read it over about 100 times so hopefully I'll remember.

[Tri Girl]

I had to giggle at your post. Not because you got a flat on a new tire, or not because you struggled (really sorry about that)- but because that was me changing my first rear flat. It took me forever and when I was done cursing and fighting the new tire to get the bead back on- I had to sit back and laugh at the whole situation. Difference was I was on the road and had to do it far from home. I must've been a sight (that's why I laughed at myself).
I giggle because I can just picture what your struggle looked like- and how frustrating something so seemingly simple can be (and then the guys at the LBS take it off, change it and put it back on in less than 2 min. ).

We're all VERY proud of you for changing it and getting it done. You should be proud of yourself, too! Empowering, ain't it?

[SouthernBelle]

The hardest part in explaining that was remembering the word "dropouts". Totally blanked.

[jusdooit]

I've changed many flats and still hate it when it's the rear. I also have trouble learning how tight to get the skewers afterwards. It was a little embarrassing to have LBS guy show why the wheel kept popping off the chain. LOL. It'll get easier. If you can get your hands on that Trek booklet it really does have good illustrations.
Meanwhile...............enjoy the ride!!!

[short cut sally]

All I can say is CONGRATS!!! Job well done. Even with that time. I can take that rear tire off without problem, getting it back on is another story. I need 4 hands to get that rear back on. One of the bike shops offers tire changing on Thursday nights, I keep thinking I need to get there and have them do the rear wheel change with me. Only way it will get easier.

[Kano]

Good job, Sara!

I hope the tire liners do the job for you and keep your tubes safe from the foul goatheads, but if they don't, Specialized Armadillo tires have been a boon to my pocketbook! When I put them on my bikes, no more flats, more cash for other accessories!

Karen in Boise