The MOST FRUSTRATING part of maintenance

[Jolt]

I think I just found something worse than adjusting brakes...installing fenders!! Or I should say, installing fenders using p-clamps b/c the bike does not have a second set of eyelets (rear eyelets in use for a rack, front not in use but I wanted to leave them open for potential rackage in the future). Finally got it done, but not sure how well the whole setup is actually going to work. The front one wasn't too bad to install, but the rear was, well, a pain in the rear because it was so tight working around the drivetrain and the rack, and things didn't want to fit.

[Dogmama]

My problem is mounting brand new tires. I run Conti's, and they are really stiff when new. I bought a tool that helps mount the tire.

To the OP - when taking a tire off, you might try using three tire tools and hooking them into the spokes at 3" intervals (or thereabouts, depending on the size and stiffness of your tires)

[lph]

This thread bump was timely... I just had my roughly annual Total Bike Breakdown. My everyday bike is almost 20 years old, at least the frame is. Everything else is cobbled together from parts pinched off other bikes or bought used for very little. I patch things together but, about once a year things start to feel their age. Today it was the rear wheel. I parked my bike, attached the trailer to go grocery shopping, and suddenly the rear wheel seized up. I unhooked the brakes just to get to the store and back, but once I'm back, sure enough the rim has split.

At least I can say I use things until they're well and truly ready to die!