CHANGING A FLAT IS BULL#$$@@ (Page 2)

Thanks for the help David,40 ish minutes later as pizza arrives I GOT IT>  whew.......... Thanks for all the help.  If I ran and rode like I changed the tire id be a senior citizen.

yup.  take both off

You know he is frustrated when his title is cussing and his signature says Jesus is coming! LOL

I know how he feels though!  lol

Um...not! I can never get those last few inches of the bead back on the rim, then I fumble with the stoopid tire and rear derailleur. My fastest time is 15 minutes. If I ever get a flat in a race, I'm just DFL. (Well, I was DL in my last race, without a flat.)

Glad the tire crisis is over...

I work pt in a LBS and I'm constantly amazed that people spend 2-3000.00 on bikes/accessories. but are totally unprepared to change their own tire.   PEOPLE-ask the friendly staff of your local LBS to show you how to change a tire-we are happy to do it.  Maybe bring a plate of cupcakes.  Embrace the sport, not just the bike. 

Sounds like a wire bead too - I switched back to folding bead just because the wire was such a PITA to change quickly.

Glad you got it figured out, and don't worry, you'll get better at it with time.  I've ruined a tube or 2 in my garage as well....usually with a loud bang followed by some choice verbage on my part. 

I hate this post.   /smack you

lol

Keep working at it.  My first flat took over an hour in the rain on the side of the road.  Finally got it and then flatted again 5 min latter because I did not remember to pull the glass out of the tire that caused the flat in the first place.  Second time was only 20 min but still raining.  Now I'm down to around 5 minutes.

A few tips I didn't see mentioned:

1. Cover the new tube in baby powder.  Less likely to get caught up that way.

2. It may be the tire.  My trainer tires are a b*tch to get on the wheel, but my road tires are MUCH easier.  Does this tire hold a circle shape when off the bike?  Or can you easily fold it?  If you can't fold it, it's likely going to be a b*tch to get on.  Also, is it a 700x23C or a 700x25C?  25C is a little bigger and thus easier to put on...

3. As another poster said you DO want to put a little bit of air into the tube before putting the tire on.  Once the tire is on, go around the WHOLE wheel pinching the tube and looking on both sides of it to look for any caught tube.  After you do that, put a LITTLE more air into the tire and go around pinching again looking for any tube caught up.  At that point you should be able to inflate and be bulge-less.

4. Sometimes with tough tires you need two tire levers used simultaneously to get the last 4-6" of the tire on.  Or use a tire lever in conjuction with your thumbs.  Tire levers should not break if used correctly.  But it's also worth investing in a good pair.