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

[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??)