Can you change a rear flat?

[Bike Writer]

Yes I can change a rear flat. (I am so proud to be able to say that). And it has made me interested in other repairs so much so, that I took bike repair 101 and 102 this winter at the LBS.

I ride alone about 80% of the time and want to be self-sufficient. Knowning how to do fix-its on the road gives me enormous confidence.

I change it with the bike upside down and could not imagine doing it rightside up. I also lube my chain that way and would not be able to lube it any other way. The first time I dropped a chain I struggled with it and needed help. By the third time I learned how easy it was to flip the bike over instead of fighting it while I was upside down.

[PamNY]

Yes, I can fix a rear flat. I like cycling alone, so I have no choice.

I may look a little klutzy, but it gets done. And I do turn the bike upside down. I thought everyone did?

[Triskeliongirl]

Wow, I didn't know this was a problem for anyone. It is easier if you shift into small/small rings, and flip your bike over, but come on gals..........it's just not that hard. JUST look at it! I mean that. That's how I do all my bike maintenance. Just look at it and you can figure out what you are supposed to do.

If you are careful flipping your bike upside will not damage anything. But its not that hard to do it upright either. I just don't understand what the problem is.

[Crankin]

Bluetree, I am not a cranky child. The op of this thread is my riding buddy and I will be getting a "private lesson" soon. She certainly isn't judgmental. I hesitated to respond to this, because I knew I would get this type of remark. It's OK, though, because I know how hard I have tried... 3-4 workshops (the last one by a woman mechanic), classes, innumerable lessons from my DH, who is very patient. Generally, I am am a pretty strident, independent person, but I will give you a comparison that maybe will help you understand. Do you know anyone with dyslexia or some other kind of learning disability? Would you tell them "just to try" when they kept misreading words, losing their place, or unable to decode a word? Non-verbal learning disabilities are pretty much hidden, and poor spatial relations and fine motor problems are learning disabilities, or at the least "learning styles." I have overcome a lot of what I faced as a kid, but there's a lot of stuff I just don't do. My good verbal skills have pretty much helped me out in life.
It's not that I "won't" learn things in a new way. I have difficulty learning spatial things any way; I have to over learn and memorize, because it doesn't stay in my brain and become intuitive, ever.
It's not like I have stopped trying, but frankly, I deal with it by riding with people most of the time. I mean, my learning issues affect every part of my life and the advent of technology has only made it worse, because unless something is verbally mediated, it is very, very difficult for me.

[Crankin]

It's clear that what I am trying to explain is not understandable to a lot of people. I can't "just look at it" because I don't remember anything about it after a second. I don't see how parts work or are situated in relation to other parts. I don't see how things work together.
Mechanical aptitude is a skill like anything else. Most people can learn some of it, and others are very good at it.
You might not believe the list of things that are extremely difficult for me, or down right impossible. I have overcompensated all of my life with my speaking, writing, organizational, and social skills.

[ridenread]

Cognitively I know how to change a flat but physically I just can not do it on my own. Heck, I can't even adjust the strap on my heart rate monitor or helmet. I am extremely bright and competent in other areas of life. However, I too have significant visual spatial difficulties which leave me mechanically challenged and frustrated. I am not whining, just stating a fact. It is not a matter of just practicing or deciding that I can do it. My brain just does not allow me to do this type of thing. Crankin, I understand completely, you are not the only one.

[Cataboo]

Bluetree should fly out and see Crankin & Ridenread and teach them how to do a rear flat.

Crankin - do you carry a camera or a cell phone when you ride? If you do and have to do a rear flat, maybe take a picture of the rear chainline before removing the wheel, so that you have something to guide you when you're ready to put the wheel back on. I do that with trail maps when hiking or mountain biking - take a picture, and zoom in on the camera image when I think I might be lost. I have carbon handlebars, but pretty much they are covered in handlebar tape across the flat area - so as long as I put the bike down gently upside down, the bars, saddle & handlebar tape don't get hurt. I do think it's easier to do it upside down than with the bike lying on its side. If you put the tire back on when it's upside down and the bike is in the smallest gear, gravity and the chain just guides the wheel back in virtually by itself without you really having to know what it's supposed to look like.

I ride by myself mostly, so yes, I can do a rear tire.

Zoom-zoom - the tire irons that come with modern cars are way too short to get leverage on especially when your tires have been put on by an air wrench. I replace 'em with an old long tire iron when I first get a car. I also carry a short section of pipe that I can slide over the tire iron to increase how long a lever iron I have. The pipe is actually part of the shaft for a collapsable shovel I keep in my car. Basically I stand on the end of the lever arm while holding on to the roof rack of my car and jump up and down till I can get the lug nut free.

[hulagirl]

My training group always does a rear-tire clinic and then flats all our rear tires and times us all! It's great fun. (ladies only training group)

We learn that if we turn our rears towards traffic, we might get someone to pull over and help us.

Or not.

Yes, getting the bugger back on is public enemy #1 for me. But my LBS showed me a way to do it in about 1 second. Just popped it right on, didn't even touch the chain. Held up bike with one hand, popped in wheel, hooked the chain and DONE.

I still can't figure it out! LOL!

But yes, learn. EVERYONE. Flat your rear tire every day if you have to. It can be learned with time, effort and patience. Make yourself a cheat sheet and laminate it and stick it in your bike bag.

And yes, I too subscribe to the rubber glove in the bike bag theory.

Denise

[PamNY]

Really, people have different aptitudes. Plumbing flummoxes me; I will not so much as put a washer on a faucet.

Fixing a flat is a good skill to have, but if you aren't in a situation where your safety is compromised, I don't see it as a big issue. I would be very surprised if people like Crankin are putting themselves at unreasonable risk.

[zoom-zoom]

Crankin - do you carry a camera or a cell phone when you ride? If you do and have to do a rear flat, maybe take a picture of the rear chainline before removing the wheel, so that you have something to guide you when you're ready to put the wheel back on.

Zoom-zoom - the tire irons that come with modern cars are way too short to get leverage on especially when your tires have been put on by an air wrench. I replace 'em with an old long tire iron when I first get a car. I also carry a short section of pipe that I can slide over the tire iron to increase how long a lever iron I have. The pipe is actually part of the shaft for a collapsable shovel I keep in my car. Basically I stand on the end of the lever arm while holding on to the roof rack of my car and jump up and down till I can get the lug nut free.

Oh, I love all of these suggestions! The photo one is brilliant, since I always ride with my phone and never would have been resourceful enough to think of using the camera on it to help me get my wheel back on--sweet!

[OakLeaf]

Oh! Here's the book I had: http://cgi.ebay.com/CLEAR-CREEK-BIKE...-/150240887529 It was driving me nuts, I couldn't remember it until I was almost asleep.

Now back to your regularly scheduled flame war.

[lauraelmore1033]

Now back to your regularly scheduled flame war.

you'd think somebody'd brought up the subject of ear buds. Yeesh!

[Bike Writer]

the tire irons that come with modern cars are way too short to get leverage on especially when your tires have been put on by an air wrench. I replace 'em with an old long tire iron when I first get a car. I also carry a short section of pipe that I can slide over the tire iron to increase how long a lever iron I have. The pipe is actually part of the shaft for a collapsable shovel I keep in my car. Basically I stand on the end of the lever arm while holding on to the roof rack of my car and jump up and down till I can get the lug nut free.

The image of this cracked me up! But it is a very good idea and I've picked up several from this thread. I particularly like the one about the glove especially because I have so much experience with chains falling off. Neat idea. And using the phone for photos besides sceanery.

Plus I feel the need to say this in general on this thread

Please play nice! Pretty please.

We are here to encourage one another not tear ourself apart. This isn't life or death.

[KathiCville]

I vaguely remember how to fix a flat, but now that I've read this thread I'm inspired to re-learn the skill! I love the idea of using the phone camera to capture how the back tire should slip into place. Great tip! Thanks!

[marni]

like most people, the only flats I have ever had (three in 7 years of riding) were in the rear. I know how to flip the bike, take the wheel off, change the tube, check the inside of the tire, do a slight inflation to check for leaks in the new tube and get it tucked back into the tire and then get the tire back into position to put the tire back onto the wheel. Then it gets really reall difficult because I have weak arthritic hands. The changing part usually takes me about 10 minutes , getting the tire back on the wheel can take any where up to an hour or more. I just lack the strenth and flexibility to pry the tire back onto the wheel. By the time I have finished I swear I will never ever ride again and of course it always happens on some way out country farm road with little or no traffic, much less a helpful biker or passerby. I usually get honked at, shown the finger and blasted with the truck exhaust.

Eternal vigilence on the tires before after and during the ride are the price I pay, that and the kevlar lining on my tires.

I learned at a LBS clinic and then have did a couple at home to practice.

I am glad to know how and can if it necessary but what I cherish is the independence of being self sufficient.

marni