Heidi's Infallible Beginner's Guide to Changing a Bike Tire
Welcome to today's very informative discourse on how to successfully change a bike tire!
For every potential triathlete, changing a bike tire is a necessary skill. Heck, even if you only occasionally ride a bike, you may want to practice these time- honored techniques so that you too can impress your friends and neighbors with your mechanical talents.
Step 1:
Purchase a new bike tube. You may want to do this while on the phone with your husband so he can read the numbers off the tire directly to you while you scan the shelves. That way you can be sure to get the right size tube.
Step 2:
Watch some YouTube videos on how to change a bike tire, since you probably don't have the faintest idea where to start. At this point, you may discover that you need something called tire levers. Never fear, you can press on without them, trust me!
Step 3:
Move your bike out onto the driveway so that you can suitably impress the neighbors. Make sure you are wearing one of your brand new outfits; style is very important. With our proven methods of simple tire changing, you should be clean and wrinkle free at the end. (If not, just hope and pray that Shout will get the stains out.)
Step 4:
Stare at the "quick release" levers for five minutes, until inspiration strikes on how to use them to take the bike wheel off. This step may take longer than five minutes, but we guarantee that eventually, you will figure it out.
Step 5:
This is the step where you use those nifty tire levers. Since you probably don't have any, just shove your fingers or any other handy tools between the tire and the rim until you are able to finally pry the tire off. This step is also a great opportunity to get an aerobic workout in, or provide entertainment for passerby. (Uh, it is possible that following this step you may find your new shorts decorated with black marks. We don't want to alarm you, but there is the teensiest possibility of this happening.)
Step 6:
Rummage in your garage to find a bike pump. Pump some air into the tube, then let some air out, then put some air back in . . . after these practice runs have been finished, you may see that it is necessary to put the tube in the tire before you inflate it. At this point you may discover that you have accidentally bought the wrong size tube. Never fear, look around your garage. You may find another bike lurking in the shadows from which you can steal a tube. Repeat step 6.
Step 7:
Shove the inflated tube/tire back onto the rim, and reattach the wheel to the bike. (Hopefully, you have not lost any parts during this process. If you have, you might be able to find them in the custody of the three wild children playing in the street.)
Congratulations!!! You have just changed your first bike tire. Wasn't that easy????
*Yes, I personally tried out each of these seven steps this evening. I'm sure my neighbors found the whole process hilarious.*
For every potential triathlete, changing a bike tire is a necessary skill. Heck, even if you only occasionally ride a bike, you may want to practice these time- honored techniques so that you too can impress your friends and neighbors with your mechanical talents.
Step 1:
Purchase a new bike tube. You may want to do this while on the phone with your husband so he can read the numbers off the tire directly to you while you scan the shelves. That way you can be sure to get the right size tube.
Step 2:
Watch some YouTube videos on how to change a bike tire, since you probably don't have the faintest idea where to start. At this point, you may discover that you need something called tire levers. Never fear, you can press on without them, trust me!
Step 3:
Move your bike out onto the driveway so that you can suitably impress the neighbors. Make sure you are wearing one of your brand new outfits; style is very important. With our proven methods of simple tire changing, you should be clean and wrinkle free at the end. (If not, just hope and pray that Shout will get the stains out.)
Step 4:
Stare at the "quick release" levers for five minutes, until inspiration strikes on how to use them to take the bike wheel off. This step may take longer than five minutes, but we guarantee that eventually, you will figure it out.
Step 5:
This is the step where you use those nifty tire levers. Since you probably don't have any, just shove your fingers or any other handy tools between the tire and the rim until you are able to finally pry the tire off. This step is also a great opportunity to get an aerobic workout in, or provide entertainment for passerby. (Uh, it is possible that following this step you may find your new shorts decorated with black marks. We don't want to alarm you, but there is the teensiest possibility of this happening.)
Step 6:
Rummage in your garage to find a bike pump. Pump some air into the tube, then let some air out, then put some air back in . . . after these practice runs have been finished, you may see that it is necessary to put the tube in the tire before you inflate it. At this point you may discover that you have accidentally bought the wrong size tube. Never fear, look around your garage. You may find another bike lurking in the shadows from which you can steal a tube. Repeat step 6.
Step 7:
Shove the inflated tube/tire back onto the rim, and reattach the wheel to the bike. (Hopefully, you have not lost any parts during this process. If you have, you might be able to find them in the custody of the three wild children playing in the street.)
Congratulations!!! You have just changed your first bike tire. Wasn't that easy????
*Yes, I personally tried out each of these seven steps this evening. I'm sure my neighbors found the whole process hilarious.*
Comments
I was inside with this crummy cold and a box of tissues...
By the way, VERY funny recounting of events. Be sure and pass around copies before the race. You know, as a refresher.