Tube and Tires and Tubes, oh My

Well, as I mentioned about a week ago, I had my first flat, and being that my bike tires had about 2500 miles on them, decided to replace them. Took bike to bike shop. And that's where the fun started.

I got the bike back on Tuesday. Wednesday a.m., I was up at normal time (around 5:00 a.m.) and noticed the tires were a bit low on air. Checked the sidewall to make sure these tires were rated for the amount of pressue I like to put in them (102 psi, baby), and pumped both to that.

I was wandering around when I heard these squeaking uneasy noises from my office. Entered office and set bike to have better posture, and, yes, you who ride know what those noises were a precursor to. POP! Very loud. Woke Brian up, who probably dreamed of a gunshot. So, no ride for me.

Took the bike into work so the guys could take a look at it and tell me what I did wrong/assist me in learning how to change a tube and replace a tire properly.

Ryan set the bike upside down balancing on the seat (why didn't I think of that), and we took out one of my spare tubes. He released the wheel and explained the what/how/why of what he was doing. Tube was pissy and obstinate, but he got it in there, and we put some air in. Nearing full air, the bad dog popped. Yeah. POP! In the office, no less. And EVERYONE and his dust mites heard it.

So, if you're counting, that's two tubes and zero miles. At that point, we noticed that the tube (which the guy at the bike shop had just handed me, and I didn't check) wasn't the proper size for the tire. Well, at least that blown tube made sense.

Took the bike in at about 3:40 on Wednesday - took off early to do that. Needed to ride. The guys at the bike shop are really laid back - both a detriment and a calming effect. One takes the bike and hangs it on a stand, reviews the blown tubes and my previous tires. Which are a different size (yes, the tires) than the new tires, though Ryan had said the new tires SHOULD fit my wheel rims. The bike mechanic tries to put a new tube (of the proper size this time - they exchanged them for me) in the back tire, but really has no luck and goes to find new new tires from the warehouse.

There's an additional bike mechanic in the workroom. I chat with him a bit, and then I start wandering the store while awaiting the new new tire. Spontaneously, as in a "poetic justice," "icing on the cake" moment, the front tire, which has been silent and feeling neglected, blows its tube. POP! It was all I could do not to crack up.

An hour later, I left the bike store with new new tires (yes, two) of the previous size. And all is well with the bike.

3 blown tubes. Zero miles ridden. That's just obnoxious.

hln

Posted by hln at September 5, 2005 08:47 PM | Cycling | TrackBack