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I posted yesterday about my failed attempt to changing my bike tire. After work, I walked into the bike shop with my head hanging a little, and within 10 minutes, I walked out of the new tire installed. They nicely stroked my ego a bit and told me that I had been on the right track. With the bike still in the car, I headed out to Terron's karate lesson, then picked up some dinner with Terron before getting home to get ready for my masters swim. As I walked into the house, Jay came and squeezed the tire, which was deflated. 'Didn't he pump it up for you?' "Um, ya, I'm pretty sure I watched him do it too!" I just hung it on my wall mount, and proceeded to get ready.
At lunch time, I mounted it on the trainer, pumped up the tire, then did my Spinervals dvd. With the bike still beside me as I taught this afternoon, for some reason I squeezed the tire, and it was flat!
So, next opportunity to practice try presented itself a lot earlier than anticipated. Here we go again!
Terron had just come home from school... told him that I was going to have to try changing the tire once again. His response... "Mom, you should probably just stick to computers for right now..." WHAT! Game on kid, you don't think you just fueled my fire even more!!
This time I managed to get the tire off the rim. and the tube out. Already much further than yesterday. I pumped up the tube once again, and could feel the air coming out of a tiny hole.
Slightly inflated the new tube (phew! had an extra one!) and started the process of putting the tube back in the tire and onto the rim... then getting the tire back on! Hard work!! Almost there!!!
Slightly inflated the new tube (phew! had an extra one!) and started the process of putting the tube back in the tire and onto the rim... then getting the tire back on! Hard work!! Almost there!!!Carefully used the tire levers for the last part, pumped it up, and back on the bike.... fingers crossed. I certainly didn't do this in the 3 minutes the guy on YouTube said I could yesterday, but it's still within the same 24 hours since I started, and didn't need to take a break this time!
Tire back on the bike, brakes work. Check. Changing gears works. Check.
Notice the pile of greased-up gloves next to the bike :) Back on the trainer, finish filling it with air.
SUCCESS! 30 minutes later, it's still inflated!!
By the way, anyone know how to remove grease from a favorite pair of sweat pants? :/
33 comments:
I am very impressed! I have yet to change a tire on my bike-mind you I very rarely go out on my bike!! Did I say how impressed I am??
Go you! Can't help you with the grease. Despite being a stay at home mom/housewife, I suck at laundry. Guess it's a good thing I'm cute LOL.
Good job changing out the tube at home! Weird that you got another flat so soon after the store installing it, though. If you get another one real soon, check the inside of the tire and the wheel rim to make sure there's nothing that might be poking holes into your tubes. As far as removing bike grease, I use Simple Green, which can usually be found in the household cleaners section. My hubby is always working on bikes and getting bike grease everywhere it seems -- Grrr ...
Yay for you!! Don't know about the grease... like MCM Mama, I suck at laundry.
Nice job! Back before I started running again, I would ride my bike and keep my fingers crossed that I wouldn't get a flat. I have absolutely no idea how to change a flat bike tire. A car tire, yes! You are quite the handy person. I'm so jealous!
Congrats on your success!
I got good at changing tubes/tires by changing too many to recall. It just takes practice and practice and practice and.....
It always helps to find the hole and try to find out what is causing the flat. That cuts down on some of the tire changing practice sessions :)
Soon you'll be better than the 3 minute time from youtube!
For grease, I use De-Solv-It (like an Orange Glo product). you can get it at Walmart in the section with all the windex and household cleaners.
Bravo on the tire ;)
Imagine me bowing to you in admiration! You know all about my adventures with tires. Whenever I've had to change a tire, it's been a three or four person effort. You did it solo!
I have grease all over everything I've ever worn while changing a tire. And it always seems to be across my butt or chest. Nice. Let us know if you discover anything that works.
Practice makes perfect!
Like what Sherly said you should check the inside of the tire just in case and a lesson I learned the hard way, stash some gloves in you saddle pouch for on the road!
What are "swear" pants? LOLOLOL
A baby toothbrush and Shout stain remover. Works just about every time. ;)
See? This is another reason why I can't do bikes...
Great job on the tire. For the sweat pants with the grease stain.......hell leave it on there as a sign of "coming into woman-hood" for being able to handle the bike tire!
Wear that stain proud!!!
By the way, anyone know how to remove grease from a favorite pair of sweat pants?
Ooo! Oooo! I do!
Don't wear your favorite sweat pants while changing a tire! Wear, lique, your most hated sweat pants, instead.
You've heard of Cause and Effequet up there in Canadia, haven't you?
Hahahahaha! I just read Diana's comment!
That's so her!
"Today you got your first grease stain. TODAY ... you are a WOMAN! Now go out there and deque some dude with a hay-maquer!"
(But she'd probably say "deck some dude with a hay-maker". Because SHE'S NOT CANADIAN!1!)
Woohooo! Yay. Good for you...dumb ass bike store guy;) Grease - Dawn dish detergent...it gets the grease out.
My first solo change took 90 minutes and two YouTube videos in my living room. Next time on the road was MUCH better. Nice work!
Congrats! I'm pretty sure I would not have been able to accomplish that.
You are a total stud muffin with all that mechanical stuff Mel!
The orange degreaser that they use to clean bike chains works on clothes, too. Just blot it on the stain to remove it and then wash it right away. Congrats on the tire change!
Wy to go! I would have taken much longer and now you know how to change a flat!
Changing a bike tire isn't easy. Ya' dun gud!
Your awesome Mel!!!!
I don't know how to change my bike's tire, but you inspired me to learn how!!!!
THANKS GIRL!
Nice Job!!!
To get the grease out, I use a product called Goo Gone. It has never failed me.
way to go mechanic mel! ;) good luck with your sweatpants... i'm not the best at regular-laundry as it is......
Maybe you found your calling in life!! Great job!
I really really really need to take a bike maintenance course...I haven't a clue how to change my tires or put my chain back on.
Things I will need to learn before summer 2010!
Nice job!!!! Try Dawn dish detergent...it gets oil and grease stains out! First wet the pants. With tap water, not the way it sounds like I meant it....LOL...then put enough Dawn to cover the whole stain, rub in with fingertip gently to work it in...wait about 30 minutes then put it through the wash. Might take 2 tries.
Unlike the youtube tire changer, I'll give you 3 hours from start to finish! =)
Nice job on the tire change!! I wouldn't even know where to start.
I don't know about how to get grease off clothes :(
Look at you, changing your tire! nice job!
My first time changing my tire involved me getting the tube caught between the tire bead and rim and it blew up when I tried to inflate it! Congratulations on getting yours fixed!
As for grease? I have no solution. I've somehow gotten bike grease on just about everything I own!
Score!! Hopefully youtube helped a little.
(Dawn dish soap?)
I think grease on the sweatpants is kind of hardcore and cool. It's your badge of honour for changing the tire!
Impressive!
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