Comments on: How to Change a Bicycle Tire

on 5/16/2008 I think that a better method of installation starts by nestling the wheel inside the tire all the way around. (Just put the wheel inside, you're not trying to seat the bead onto the rim at this point).

Then work your way around one side of the tire, PULLING the bead up and over onto the rim. If you are doing this the right way the inside surface of the tire should be sliding up and over the outside surface of the rim as you work your way around seating the bead.

Once you have the bead on one side seated all the way around, put the slightly inflated tube inside the tire, making sure it's smoothly seated, with no twists or kinks, then -pull- the bead on the other side of the tire up and over the rim just as you did on the other side, with the additional caution of being careful not to pinch the tube as you go 'round.

If you've never done it this way before, you'll be amazed

on 7/11/2007 As a qualified bicycle mechanic with years of experience, I have literally changed thousands of bike tyres and tubes. I would recommend to ignore the suggestion in steps 4-6 to use tools to install the second edge of the tyre. Use only your thumbs to do this as using tools will pinch the tube 99% of the time. This will take persistance as it will be difficult and may even require some form of lube for the last little bit but practice makes perfect and it will save your tube.

on 8/30/2006 Many fully inflated tires will not fit between the brake calipers, therefore I have learned to inflate only enough to position the tube in the tire, then re-mount the wheel before inflating it completely.

on 8/8/2006 This really is as easy as it sounds. When they say bike tools, they're probably talking about spanners (those flat wrench things) and such, but really any two flat objects will do. If you're reading this, your tires probably have a quick-release, so you don't even need a spanner. Don't think you need to go out and buy tools for this operation. I got my tire off with a machete and a screwdriver (and of course a tire pump, that is the one necessary bike tool).

on 6/30/2006 If you're changing a flat or installing new tires, I would strongly recommend Tuffies. They are plastic strips that go between the tube and tire, and prevent almost all puncture flats. Purists poo poo them, but would you rather have a flat on a ride or add a few ounces to the weight of your tire?

Also, don't use screwdrivers to take a tire off or put one on. Screwdrivers can easily pinch the tube. Get a set of plastic spanners. The set is not expensive.

on 11/22/2005 Border collies of all ages are very sensitive to loud noises and movement. The scariest thing alive (and to a border it is) will likely be the vacuum. It will send most any Border collie into pure panic if it is not introduced to the vacuum carefully. Avoid starting any vacuum in the same room with the Border collie.

Because it is a herder, the Border collie puppy will likely try to herd you first. Don't let it do this, ever! The pup has to understand that people are not to be herded, period. It's dangerous, particularly when they try to do it as you are going down a flight of stairs.

Despite their fear of the unknown, Border collies are curious about everything and will explore everything till they are sure of what it is and what it does. They will smell it first, then probably taste it, just pray it doesn't run because the Border collie will follow it.

They are, in my opinion great watch dogs if they actually learn to bark. Their hearing is extremely discriminating and they can actually differentiate between unknown vehicles and those you teach them are OK. A measure of how fast a learner it is.

On this note, a lot of Border collies don't like to bark. This is a problem during house training at times as the dog will just sit at the door to go out and leave you oblivious to a swelling bladder. A trick is to tie a bell on a string to the door handle. They will learn to ring the bell on their own and save you the worry or making it in time.

A Border collie picks one master. Hopefully the one they pick in your house is the one that is most consistent with rules. Border collies will always defer to the master for the final ruling in cases where they have crossed the line. A master that is inconsistent on the rules means that no rules apply and your Border collie rules the house; not a good idea.

on 11/22/2005 Before inserting the new tube, carefully feel around the inside of the tire to make sure there is no glass stuck in the tire. The last thing you want is to get the tire on the bike and find that it is flat again.

on 11/22/2005 I'm not being fundamentalist here. Keeping a bike spanner that is the correct size for your wheel nuts handy will not only make the wheel nuts last much longer, it'll also make the wheel removal/replacement much faster and easier. Adjustable wrenches are a last resort, because they wear the corners off your nuts, so that eventually you may need a nut splitter to get them off, because there's nothing flat for the spanner to grab onto any more.