I am just venting, but am discouraged with how difficult changing a tire can be, especially for someone who is not great at fixing things. I was on an 80 mile ride last week, and out and back (Provincetown for the PMC), when I got a flat at the worst possible spot. I was on the side of a busy road with no shade, almost 40 miles from home. I have a Tarmac with regular clincher tires and tubes. I struggled badly and finally my riding buddy had to take over which was embarassing. I struggled with getting the tire back on the rim. It kept popping out in different sections, just when I would be close to getting it fully on the rim. Then I failed miserably with the CO2. For some reason it did not work even though air was coming out, the tube was not inflating. Then my friend had to use his hand pump and got it inflated. Then I realized that I should have turned the bike upside down when working on the tire, rather than letting the chain sit in a pile of sand and grass.
For those of you who can change a tire quickly and easily, how did you get to that point? I have watched youtube videos and they make it look too easy. The whole threat of a flat tire makes me avoid going on long rides by myself.
For those of you who can change a tire quickly and easily, how did you get to that point? I have watched youtube videos and they make it look too easy. The whole threat of a flat tire makes me avoid going on long rides by myself.