Flat tire, losing mind

[Lise]

Thanks for the story, jb! I'll ask the LBS guys what they think of the speed tool. I want to ask them why they didn't WARN me about these wheels! Again, glad to learn the lesson in my dining room, and not on the road.

Night, all--L.

[Grog]

I don't know about Campy wheels, but the tricks described here will certainly help you, no matter what.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp

I follow these guidelines and only use the levers when I feel lazy, only to pull the tire off, only with one lever, only after I've nicely loosened up the tire and taken one bit out of the rim. I'll then insert the lever and zip down.

I've never used a lever to put the tire on (actually I have no idea how I would do that).

Park Tool blue plastic levers are pretty good at not breaking, from what I've heard, but I have no experience with others...

By the ways I love those Rubino tires, and they're rather easy to take off, so I'd totally blame the wheel. There also might be something wrong with the pump....

Now that I think about it: I think you already had that pump for your other bike, which probably had Shraeder valves, right? Did you change the configuration of the pump to adapt to presta?? You probably did that already, but just in case, that could help...

[Eden]

By the ways I love those Rubino tires, and they're rather easy to take off, so I'd totally blame the wheel. There also might be something wrong with the pump....

Hmmmm I don't know if its a Rubino or not, but I have one Vittoria tire that I got as a door prize and used this winter. Let's just say that I am really really glad its a tough tire and it never got a flat because it was so tight that it took both my husband and myself pushing and pulling on the thing to get it onto the rim. I think that tires can vary in size a little bit and sometimes you can get a tight one.

[DebW]

Reading this thread made me glad that I ride sewups. Common practice for mounting a sewup, which may possibly be useful here (not really sure but maybe worth a try) is to stretch the tire first. Either put your foot on it and pull up, or put it behind your back, grab it from both sides with your hands, and rotate your shoulders forward.

[Pedal Wench]

Most Campy wheels are notorious for being difficult. I snapped the Speed Levers within the first two seconds of trying to use them. So, save yourself the hassle. Go with steel or the Pedros, and put everything you've got into it. I doubt you'll be able to put the tire back on without the help of levers too. I get as much of the tire seated as possible, make sure the tube is tucked far out of the way, and then use the lever for, well, leverage to slip the tire back onto the rim.

[Steph_in_TX]

I've never seen dh so mad as the times he was trying to change tires on the Campy wheels. Both Michelin and Continental tires were almost impossible to get off. After the latest episode, during which many tires levers were broken and many cuss words thrown about, I told him he had to sell them or he was going to have some sort of coronary event and kill himself.

That said...we now have a pair of Campy wheels for sale.

[Lise]

Hey, guys, thanks for all the commiserating about the Campy wheels!

I went to LBS and my favorite guy was behind the counter (no, Nanci, not Dennis, he's the owner, it turns out, and almost never there). John. I like him because he's calm, but not comatose. He has a sense of humor. As it turns out, there were two problems:

1. Old tube--little bit of valve had snapped off. "It happens", he said. "OK," said I, "did it happen because of anything *I* did?" Maybe pulling the pump off the valve sideways. Always pull it straight back.

2. New tube--valve too short to use with my pump. I have a universal valve on the pump (this is the famous pink pump), and the valve must be at least 45mm long to inflate it with that pump. "We don't even sell this tube", he said. I replied, "I bought it here the day I bought my bike." Hmmmm. Sorry. He gave me a new tube, a new replacement tube, and three new levers, blue, a heavier, more flexible plastic.

He ordered a telescoping speed lever for me, a home version of what they use in the store. I also learned some good tricks for dealing with the Campy wheels.

A funny note: There was a new silver bike leaning up against the counter. I glanced at it and thought, "What a beautiful bike", then looked more closely. It was a Marin Larkspur, my original bike! When I say I love my old bike, I'm not kidding! I love both of my bikes. I feel a lot better about racing the Bianchi now. And glad that I have such tough tires. I would've had to change the tube anyways, since the broken valve wouldn't hold air pressure. But happily, nothing had punctured the tube. I ride over all the usual city crap--glass, metal, rocks, broken pavement. I avoid it when I can, but often can't do much.

I'm so happy that I'm going to ride the Bianchi to work tomorrow, and just double lock it in the clinic's basement. Plus I cover it with my sweaty riding clothes, to make it look less interesting to anybody who's looking. L.

[Grog]

Hmmmm I don't know if its a Rubino or not, but I have one Vittoria tire that I got as a door prize and used this winter. Let's just say that I am really really glad its a tough tire and it never got a flat because it was so tight that it took both my husband and myself pushing and pulling on the thing to get it onto the rim. I think that tires can vary in size a little bit and sometimes you can get a tight one.

Mine was indeed a Vittoria Rubino Pro, sorry you have had trouble. I agree with Deb, stretching it might help.

But that thing IS tough. What mesmerizes me about this tire is how it can accumulate dents but never actually be pierced by sharp objects. When cleaning my bike after a rainy ride the other day I closely inspected my tires and noticed how many cuts there were in it, yet I don't remember getting a flat on that wheel (I have a Rubino on my front wheel only right now). The very first ride of this year I rode over a broken bottle. I was going to my first training ride and I was scared I'd have to change a flat in a hurry before we went riding together, so I stopped about a kilometer after rolling over the glass, thinking I'd inspect the tire just in case. Well there WAS a nicely sharp piece of glass gently protruding right in the middle of the rolling band. It took me at least 3 minutes to pry it out of there. I can still see the cut, but it wasn't deep enough to cut the tube.

So anyway, just had to say I was happy about that tire. I just ordered a pair of the thing so I can get my two wheels to look the same!!

So, Lise, how are you doing with that celestial flat?

[luv'nAustin]

I think it might be time for me to fess up...I can't change my own tire and it is humiliating! I understand how to do it, and can get my wheel off of my bike, but I can't get the tire back on the rim. And this was with my old bike, I haven't even attempted to get my current tires off of my new bike. I have been lucky in the past and my coach changed them for me. However, one time I was out with my girlfriends and no one could get that tire on, so I had to sit and wait for them to come back for me in the car.

This is the reason that I can't bike alone. I think that I will have to bring that wheel inside (where it is cooler) and struggle until I learn. I don't need this monkey on my back any longer! Time to become an independent woman!

[Trekhawk]

I think it might be time for me to fess up...I can't change my own tire and it is humiliating! I understand how to do it, and can get my wheel off of my bike, but I can't get the tire back on the rim. And this was with my old bike, I haven't even attempted to get my current tires off of my new bike. I have been lucky in the past and my coach changed them for me. However, one time I was out with my girlfriends and no one could get that tire on, so I had to sit and wait for them to come back for me in the car.

This is the reason that I can't bike alone. I think that I will have to bring that wheel inside (where it is cooler) and struggle until I learn. I don't need this monkey on my back any longer! Time to become an independent woman!

That is a great way to do it. When I first started cycling I used the info provided here at TE in the How To Guides (its great I even printed it out and carry it with me in case I panic and cant remember what to do). I sat at home and changed tyre after tyre until I felt a little more confident about it. I ride on my own all the time so this was very important for me.

Give it a shot - and then you wont have to worry about not riding on your own.

[Running Mommy]

"Where is this story going you ask?......she was wearing the Hawaii Ironman Jersey and said she had just competed in the qualifier last week in Hawaii. (and she didn't know how to change a tire! hmmmmmmmmm)"

Well you know what they say about triathletes C-mac... Jack of all trades but master of NONE!!!

Yes, I can change a tire. Have I gone through the same frustration Lise did? Oh HELL yeah!! In fact the last time I changed a flat on the tires that came stock with my QR it was ugly. SO many saucy words were flying out of my mouth!! I think I managed to break a record on how many swear words I could string together in one sentence. It was UGLY!! And come to think about it I think they were the same tires Lise has!
I have to admit though, I live in FEAR of getting a flat in a race! I may be able to do it, but not with any speed. It's getting that last 6 or so inches of tire seeded back on the rim!
At IMAZ I said a little prayer everytime I passed someone w/ a flat. I kept saying "oh please lord. No flat today. I don't have time. And please help that sould change theirs quick"... I think the power of prayer worked , that and my conti GP4000 tires. Those puppies are bomb proof. Well, all tires will flat eventually, but I like the less supple tires as I find they don't pick up as much debris. My all time fave tires are Vredsteins because they are so easy to get on and off, but they pick up EVERYTHING! I had THREE flats in one ride!!
But yeah, we should all know how to change a flat. You don't want something like that to ruin a perfectly good ride.
And back to that lady c-mac ran into at that ride... I had one of those at IMAZ as well.
I came upon a girl off her bike staring at her tire. I slowed down and asked if she had everything she needed. She said "I have a flat" and so I said "well do you have everything you need?" and she goes "I have never changed a tire"... "WTF" I thought to myself. Then told her I would look for a bike support van for her. I'm not sure if the rules would have let me help her, and part of me feels guilty for not stopping, but then I was a bit miffed that she went into a race like that without learning the basics.

Anyhoo, I've heard that certain rims and tires clash. SOunds like you may have that problem Lise. But man that stinks if that's the case. I would love to have ANYTHING campy, but now I'm thinking "but not their wheels"...