Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires

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2007-07-12 5:01 PM

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2007-07-12 5:54 PM
in reply to: #883757

Royal(PITA)
14270
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires
thanks, I am a chicken about that. Got the wheel off but couldn't get the tool in enough to separate the tube from the tire and wound up back at the shop learning how to change a tire. If I get a race day flat I'm SOL cause I'll b there FOREVER trying to get the darn thing apart. I wind up riding way towards the middle of the road if I see glass near the sid or around areas of home construcion to avoid their debris
2007-07-12 7:24 PM
in reply to: #883757

Sneaky Slow
8694
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Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires

Thanks Spokes... will have to look into that.

I'd go out into the garage tonight and try practicing changing my tire, but I need to be in bed by midnight. 

2007-07-12 7:28 PM
in reply to: #883897

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires
newLeaf - 2007-07-12 8:24 PM

Thanks Spokes... will have to look into that.

I'd go out into the garage tonight and try practicing changing my tire, but I need to be in bed by midnight. 

LOL. The first one is always the hardest, but then it gets MUCH easier. You really should practice it, though. At some point, you're gonna have to be able to do it....

2007-07-12 7:30 PM
in reply to: #883807

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires

zipp1 - 2007-07-12 6:54 PM thanks, I am a chicken about that. Got the wheel off but couldn't get the tool in enough to separate the tube from the tire and wound up back at the shop learning how to change a tire. If I get a race day flat I'm SOL cause I'll b there FOREVER trying to get the darn thing apart. I wind up riding way towards the middle of the road if I see glass near the sid or around areas of home construcion to avoid their debris

Some tires are easier than others to remove and put back on. I presently have Specialized Pro on my wheels, and I could probably get those tires off w/o using the tire levers if need be. And, they're pretty easy to put back on. I've had tires in the past that were tough to get off and so difficult to put on that sometimes I'd have to go back to the LBS because I just couldn't get those last few inches of the tire back on.

2007-07-12 7:34 PM
in reply to: #883757

Expert
1059
10002525
Lakeville, MN
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires

Go to your local bike shop and ask them to show you how, if you have never done it.  then go home and deflate/remove/replace your tire/tube on your front tire a few times...it really is not that hard.  Also, make sure that if you are using a CO2 cartridge, you practice inflating your tube at least once with it...it probably took me a good 5 minutes to figure that thing out.

I was petrified of doing it, but then I decided to call my LBS, they showed me on both my clinchers and my tubulars, for no charge.  Thank goodness, becasue about 2 weeks later, I got a flat on one of my rides, and I was about 10 miles from home with no cell phone (the only time I have never brought it)

 

Have fun!!

 

2007-07-13 1:23 AM
in reply to: #883757

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2007-07-13 4:52 AM
in reply to: #883757

Extreme Veteran
490
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London
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires
after having 4 flats in 2 rides, I'm pretty good at changing tyres now but the advice is good. I'll have a look at the mr tuffy stuff.

slight change of topis: how'd you find the gatorskins? I'm thinking of swapping my current oem tyres and have been recommended them.
2007-07-13 8:23 AM
in reply to: #883901

Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires
LaurenSU02 - 2007-07-12 8:30 PM

zipp1 - 2007-07-12 6:54 PM thanks, I am a chicken about that. Got the wheel off but couldn't get the tool in enough to separate the tube from the tire and wound up back at the shop learning how to change a tire. If I get a race day flat I'm SOL cause I'll b there FOREVER trying to get the darn thing apart. I wind up riding way towards the middle of the road if I see glass near the sid or around areas of home construcion to avoid their debris

Some tires are easier than others to remove and put back on. I presently have Specialized Pro on my wheels, and I could probably get those tires off w/o using the tire levers if need be. And, they're pretty easy to put back on. I've had tires in the past that were tough to get off and so difficult to put on that sometimes I'd have to go back to the LBS because I just couldn't get those last few inches of the tire back on.



Oooh, good to know cuz that's what I have on my bike! I have yet to change a tire, but I'm afraid that it will take FOREVER, and that I won't be physically able to get it off (or worse, back on). I'm pretty handy, but still. I am going to have to spend an afternoon before the race just practicing taking on and off the tire.
2007-07-13 10:10 AM
in reply to: #883757

Master
1845
100050010010010025
Athens, Ga.
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires
It is so worth it to learn to change a tire. I've flatted more than my fair share, but I was glad for the skill come my first tri of this year - and a flat tire. Practice it, y'all. It's not as hard as it looks, just crazy frustrating.
2007-07-13 1:19 PM
in reply to: #883899

Elite
3130
2000100010025
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires
LaurenSU02 - 2007-07-12 6:28 PM
newLeaf - 2007-07-12 8:24 PM

Thanks Spokes... will have to look into that.

I'd go out into the garage tonight and try practicing changing my tire, but I need to be in bed by midnight. 

LOL. The first one is always the hardest, but then it gets MUCH easier. You really should practice it, though. At some point, you're gonna have to be able to do it....

Yup, I use Conti Ultra Gatorskins and I still got a flat in a race this year (pinch flat from hitting a stray chunk of pavement at 30mph). So it's a necessary skill sooner or later.

 

2007-07-13 1:25 PM
in reply to: #884118

Champion
5345
500010010010025
Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires

Continental does have a UK Presence:

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/default.html

There should be at least one LBS in your area that will sell them.

2007-07-14 3:08 PM
in reply to: #884507

Master
3546
2000100050025
Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Free advice for those that fear changing their flat tires

watergirl - 2007-07-13 11:10 AM It is so worth it to learn to change a tire. I've flatted more than my fair share, but I was glad for the skill come my first tri of this year - and a flat tire. Practice it, y'all. It's not as hard as it looks, just crazy frustrating.

x2...

I flatted in mile 2 of 27 in my first tri ever.  I was really thankful for those flats I had when training.

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