Changed my first *&^)_&&^%$ tire

[MartianDestiny]

Sorry you had a bad first time! Sounds like most of your trouble was with the quick release axle. A few (hopefully helpful) hints on that front: 1) you don't need to unscrew the nut and take the axle out of the wheel. Pop your quick release open (yes, it's not fun) unscrew 2-3 turns and pull your wheel straight out. This allows you to leave the axle in the wheel and not worry about the little nut or spring going flying (and is why it's called a quick release). 2) when you put it back on don't tighten it all the way and then try to flip the lever closed, the lever is designed to take the last bit of tension (hence why there are springs, etc. in this contraption). This takes some feel because you don't want it too loose, but if you can't close your lever with the meaty part of your hand back the screw out 1/2 a turn or so until you can.

[tulip]

Crankin, try turning your bike upside down to replace the rear wheel.

[Crankin]

That makes it worse. Everything is backwards. My spatial relations are not ah, too cool. I just have to practice. My DH can do it in like 2 seconds.
I have hardly had any flats. I had one in 2004 and then most were on the one century I've done in 2006, when something actually slashed my tire and I had 3 flats. Interestingly, the next and last time I had a flat was in the *exact same spot in Maine* on a group ride. Well, I don't know if it occurred there, but I was at that spot during the ride and when I got home and took my bike out of the car, the tire was flat.
Don't ever ride up the hill at Nubble Lighthouse in York Beach!

[Biciclista]

That makes it worse. Everything is backwards. My spatial relations are not ah, too cool. I just have to practice. My DH can do it in like 2 seconds.
I have hardly had any flats. Most were on the one century I've done, when something actually slashed my tire and I had 3 flats. Interestingly, the next and last time I had a flat was in the *exact same spot in Maine* on a group ride. Well, I don't know if it occurred there, but I was at that spot during the ride and when I got home and took my bike out of the car, the tire was flat.
Don't ever ride up the hill at Nubble Lighthouse in York Beach!

you're not alone, sometimes I do it by accident. Once my car mechanic came out to do it for me after watching me struggle for a while.

[VeloVT]

I like to use tubes with threaded stems. I find that when I'm fixing a flat on the road and using C02, the process of getting the C02 pump seated straight/correctly on a presta valve on the first try (and therefore not wasting any of the C02) is made much easier by having the valve held in place. The nut goes on the outside though .

[VeloVT]

Also, this really gets a lot easier. My first few rear tube changes I got grease EVERYWHERE. Hands, legs, clothes, even on my face. Now I can do it and pretty much not get grease on myself, although I always carry individually wrapped Wet Ones in my seatbag to clean up just in case. (Even if you don't get greasy your hands usually feel grimy afterwards).

[Crankin]

Well, we use the unthreaded valves and have never had an issue with the CO2 cartridges. I think it has to do with the adapter/pump thing you use for the cartridges.
I never leave the nut on any of my valves.

[parity]

I don't use the nut that comes with a threaded valve. For a number of reasons. The first being if you over tighten the nut it can cause a leak where the valve meets the tube. This is caused when you pump up the tire and the tube inflates with air but the nut can cause the valve to separate a bit from the tube. Secondly, if it becomes loose it or you don't tighten it enough can make a rattling noise against the rim. I hate to hear any noise while riding. I find the nut largely pointless and throw them away as I can install the tube and inflate it without the need of the nut. I also don't re-install the plastic screw cap either as its also useless once the tube is installed. So don't install the nut or plastic cap, and save some weight.

[OakLeaf]

Owlie, do your brakes have a quick-release? Shimano caliper brakes have a lever that makes it obvious, but other brakes usually have a quick-release that might not be so immediately apparent.

But yeah, even with my old bikes that IIRC I ran 700x28c or at the widest 700x32 tires, I like my brakes on the tight side, so they wouldn't necessarily go in with much air in the tires.

Also, leaving the tire mostly deflated makes it easier to install the rear wheel - it leaves you more room to maneuver inside the rear triangle while you're getting the chain on. Finish pumping it up after it's installed. Then once the tire's fully inflated, do a final alignment check on the wheel before you ride off.

(That's why I much prefer a trigger-actuated CO2 system, or a pump. The one-shot CO2 systems don't let you stop at partial inflation and then continue on with the rest of the gas.)

[redrhodie]

I had an epiphany yesterday. I had a flat, and I was a little nervous using my CO2s since I recently had a flat and couldn't get the gas in the tires. Used my 2 cartridges, then took a ride from a kind stranger (which I really try to avoid).

Well, yesterday the CO2 gods shined upon me, and all the gas went in without trouble. I then went to the lbs for a new tube, and I always ask for short stem, which work best with my floor pump. They happened to be out, and the lbs guy said I like the longer stems anyway. The short ones are about 2 mms short for my cartridge adapter. Doh! That was my issue!

Oakleaf, I like the advice for the partial inflate before wheel install. I'm going to do that next time. My bike has horizontal dropouts, and it's a really tight fit. I often get jammed during the install when the tire hits the seat tube. I bet that will give a little extra room that I need.

[Owlie]

Owlie, do your brakes have a quick-release? Shimano caliper brakes have a lever that makes it obvious, but other brakes usually have a quick-release that might not be so immediately apparent.

Yes, they do. Even with the lever open, the width of the brake is only slightly wider than the tire, to the point where if there's any air in it at all, you have to force the wheel back on to the bike. (Why did Giant think that those particular tires were a good idea??)