General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How long does it take you to change a tire? Rss Feed  
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2008-08-05 8:53 PM

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Expert
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Subject: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Finally I changed my front tire flat, from start to finish in under 5 minutes.  This is a new record for me (I am not mechanically inclined).  Only 3 cuss words as well!  I still remember my first flat a few years back that took me forever to change.  Just curious, how long do others take to change a flat?  I use clinchers, and hand pump.


2008-08-05 9:07 PM
in reply to: #1584141

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Expert
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?

It depends on the circumstances. I haven't timed myself but I think I can do a front tire in less than 3 minutes. That would be using a new tube and CO2.

We had a contest a few years ago at a tri club meeting and the winner did it in less than a minute! That was removing the wheel from the bike, replacing the tube, inflating, and putting the wheel back on the bike. I wouldn't have believed it could be done that fast if I hadn't seen it.

2008-08-05 9:36 PM
in reply to: #1584141

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
I always get flats on the rear. It takes me 20 minutes to change it. I've thought about practicing that skill, but I just figure that if I get a flat, my race is over. I'll still finish, but I won't "race". It's bound to happen if you do enough races.

An elite triathlete friend of mine told me that he once got a flat in a sprint at about mile 10 and he just kept riding. It slowed him down some, but he figure it was worth it not having to stop.
2008-08-05 10:06 PM
in reply to: #1584141

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Champion
10668
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Cool! I've had a ton of practice over the years (often changing flats for team mates), and if I know it's a pinch flat (so I don't have to look for a thorn or glass), I can get it done in about 2 minutes, if I'm going for speed.
2008-08-05 10:26 PM
in reply to: #1584141

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Champion
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MA
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?

I spend one weekend a year practicing..after a few tries I have my kids time me.  I can do it under 2' when things go well.

I think changing my tube about 10x in a weekend is good skill practice. If only I could practice changing my tubulars I'd be happy. Maybe next time I change my tires I'll practice with the old one.  

2008-08-06 7:53 AM
in reply to: #1584141

Master
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Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
The first time changing a flat for me, took 45 minutes. Luckily I was at home and not out riding or racing. Since than, I have it down under 5 minutes.


2008-08-06 8:04 AM
in reply to: #1584141

Veteran
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Mesa, Arizona
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
It still takes me 20 minutes and a lot of swear words to change a flat. The first time took about 45 minutes so 20 is a great improvement. I have fixed a lot of flats and I haven't gotten any better than 20 minutes.
2008-08-06 8:08 AM
in reply to: #1584141

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Veteran
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Norcross, Georgia
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
About 3-4 minutes on the front with tube & CO2, 5 on the back.  The first time I had to do it was a completly different story...lots of cussing.
2008-08-06 8:21 AM
in reply to: #1584141

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Extreme Veteran
511
500
Budapest, Pest Megye
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
In two years I have never had to fix a tire. The only time that I got a flat I was close to home so I just took it to the store. I know, I'm lame...
2008-08-06 9:05 AM
in reply to: #1584141

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Elite
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Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?

I never go for speed.  I am really careful about getting the new tube in without having a second flat.  This means finding the hole in the tube and matching it up with the tire to check for embedded glass or thorn.  Then, I make sure the tube is inside the tire without catching it under the bead of the tire.  A partial inflation helps to make sure everything is in place.  Then I pop the tire back on the bead bare-handed.  With a new tire this can really be difficult and take some time.  I figure this takes maybe 10 minutes.  I never time it.

TW

2008-08-06 9:15 AM
in reply to: #1584643

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2008-08-06 10:13 AM
in reply to: #1584253

Expert
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North Central WV
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?

keyone - 2008-08-05 10:36 PM An elite triathlete friend of mine told me that he once got a flat in a sprint at about mile 10 and he just kept riding. It slowed him down some, but he figure it was worth it not having to stop.

I would never have thought to do this!

I don't remember the last time I had a flat!  I was in to mountain biking before road biking so I learned to change flats very well.  I think I have probably only changed a road bike flat perhaps 3 times.  I have put a lot of miles on my road bike but thankfully haven't flatted too often.  I still have never used my CO2s. 

 

2008-08-06 10:17 AM
in reply to: #1584141

Pro
4608
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Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
I had to fix my first flat recently, rear tire no less, and took over 30 minutes! I was getting verbal instruction so I might be able to shave 5 minutes off now that I know how. Once I make it to the last mile or two of a race I figure I'd rather ride on the flat or just run the extra miles with the bike because my tire changing skills are terrible! I'm planning to take a roadside maintenance class at a LBS to improve.
2008-08-06 10:21 AM
in reply to: #1585022

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
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The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Malgal - 2008-08-06 10:13 AM

keyone - 2008-08-05 10:36 PM An elite triathlete friend of mine told me that he once got a flat in a sprint at about mile 10 and he just kept riding. It slowed him down some, but he figure it was worth it not having to stop.

I would never have thought to do this!

Probably for good reason. You're taking a chance on ruining a rim, so if $100+++ is "worth it not having to stop," then ride away.

2008-08-06 3:29 PM
in reply to: #1584141

Champion
5312
5000100100100
Calgary
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Got my first flat a couple weeks ago. Took me 20 minutes to change the front tire, but I was not rushing, and I was using a hand pump that probably accounted for 5 minutes. Could get it down to 10 minutes no problem.
2008-08-06 9:53 PM
in reply to: #1584141

Extreme Veteran
576
500252525
Wayne, NJ
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Had 2 flates on Mon (rear) durning a 35m ride.
1st took about 10 min, 2nd about 5 min. ran out of O2 had to hand pump and ride the last 12 miles on a half inflat. tire.


2008-08-06 11:22 PM
in reply to: #1584253

Extreme Veteran
644
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Anaheim
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?

keyone - 2008-08-05 7:36 PM I always get flats on the rear. It takes me 20 minutes to change it. I've thought about practicing that skill, but I just figure that if I get a flat, my race is over. I'll still finish, but I won't "race". It's bound to happen if you do enough races. An elite triathlete friend of mine told me that he once got a flat in a sprint at about mile 10 and he just kept riding. It slowed him down some, but he figure it was worth it not having to stop.

You can do that on tubulars, not clinchers.

If I'm going for speed with a folding bead I don't need tools so about 3-5 for the front and 5 for the rear. Horizontal dropouts make the rear easy, if you know how to hold the chain.

But on a ride I take my time, to make sure I do it right. I've never had to change in a race, though. It would probably take longer from being flustered.



Edited by Broompatrol 2008-08-06 11:22 PM
2008-08-07 12:19 AM
in reply to: #1584141

Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
First crit of the season, one of my teammates blew a tire as we were being called to the start line. I think I got her tire changed in less than a minute and she just made it to the start before the race began.

(with CO2 & a fresh tube, didn't have to look for glass b/c I knew why the tire had blow...she had caught a portion between the tire and the rim and I saw it just before it happened.
2008-08-07 12:52 AM
in reply to: #1584253

Littleton, CO
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
keyone - 2008-08-05 8:36 PM

I always get flats on the rear...


Tommy! PLEASE tell me you got that!

Seriously, cool thread. Sometimes I revert back to 14 and can't help myself...
2008-08-07 7:36 AM
in reply to: #1587015

Extreme Veteran
370
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Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Front tire flatted last night about a mile from home ;-( Happy to report that it took me about five minutes (maybe a bit less) using a handpump and new tube. It was a hell of a lot easier than the first time which took me about twice as long and a slew of curse words and profanity ;-)

And great idea Kathy, I've never actually practiced changing a flat but when recently I changed my tires out and that helped and was good practice.

--Chris
2008-08-07 8:10 AM
in reply to: #1584141

Master
2808
2000500100100100
, Minnesota
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Under 5 mins usually. I have yet to get a front flat.

A bit off topic, but related. When filling with a CO2 cartridge, how do you tell how much of it to put in? I've put ALL of it in and exploded a tube, so now I err on the low side. Is there any way to get close to 110-120lbs so I don't limp home on 80lb? Thx.


2008-08-07 12:10 PM
in reply to: #1584141

Expert
834
50010010010025
Medina, MN
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
10 minutes this AM. Should've been able to do it faster, but was taking my time.
2008-08-07 12:12 PM
in reply to: #1584141

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
Hmm, dunno.  Will go out to the garage and change the tire, and post back here when I am done.
2008-08-07 12:19 PM
in reply to: #1584141

Extreme Veteran
335
10010010025
Herriman, Utah
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?
It took me about 20 minutes to fix the flat on my rear a few weeks ago. I keep getting flats on that back tire, or the air leaks out after a few days. This happens, even after putting new tubes in (the LBS put a new one in, too!). Wonder why....

My related question: Do tires become easier to take off/put on? That's what slows me down is trying to pry that sucker off the rim or get it back on. Man, it's tight.
2008-08-08 6:50 AM
in reply to: #1587927

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: How long does it take you to change a tire?

newleaf - 2008-08-07 1:12 PM Hmm, dunno. Will go out to the garage and change the tire, and post back here when I am done.

Done.  Not too shabby. 

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