Tire changing/Wheel removal

[Veronica]

What seems to be the place it's getting hung up? The brakes or the hub?

Veronica

[Catrin]

What seems to be the place it's getting hung up? The brakes or the hub?

Veronica

The hub, LBS told me this isn't unusual and it can be difficult to remove... They suggested hitting the wheel, but of course the fender makes that rather difficult. I also had to really work with the rear brake tension to be able to loosen the rear brake (caliper).

[Catrin]

Woot! I DID it I got the rear wheel off, took it out completely and put it back in

I know this is a very small thing, but it feels pretty good to me considering I couldn't do it yesterday. I just want to be comfortable enough with all of this in case I should have to do it someday on the side of a country road.

[tulip]

Excellent! Now do it 10 more times.

[OakLeaf]

Personally I really don't advocate turning the bike upside down. Even nowadays when modern cable routing means the housings won't get bent or broken, it's still a lot of hassle, scuffage and extra dirt - and strength, too, if it's a heavier bike - for no real advantage.

Gravity is a big help when you're getting the wheel back in and aligned. You may as well learn to work with it when you're getting the wheel out, too. You don't have to have the rear wheel off the ground for it to come out of the dropouts or the rear triangle. And if you find you need to give it a little nudge while you pull the stays apart, as you did today, you can use your foot.

Anyway, great job getting it done. As Tulip said, each time you do it you can refine your technique.

[maillotpois]

Personally I really don't advocate turning the bike upside down. Even nowadays when modern cable routing means the housings won't get bent or broken, it's still a lot of hassle, scuffage and extra dirt - and strength, too, if it's a heavier bike - for no real advantage.

+1

Computer, saddle, etc. all can get scuffed up this way.

[Catrin]

+1

Computer, saddle, etc. all can get scuffed up this way.

Not on the carpet or grass - and the computer doesn't touch the ground at all. It just works better for me - I simply cannot hold up this 35 pound bike and do what needs to be done with it. I CAN get the front wheel off without turning it over, but not the rear. It is very easy to turn over and back again.

[indigoiis]

I was taught to do it once by a Trek representative making the rounds at the bike shop. She released the rear brake, loosened the quick release, put one arm over the frame and gripped the frame, the right hand on the tire, and lifted the bike up and pressed down with the right hand. Comes out no problem every time.

[OakLeaf]

Indigo, I'm not picturing that at all! Which way are you facing, is the top tube under your right armpit, where's your left hand????

[Catrin]

This bike is so heavy that with my arthritic hands, I simply can't hold it up and do all of that at the same time (moving the RD and so forth).

Now I can't seem to get the brake cable back in place, suspect the tire isn't quite aligned properly...