If you really want instructions as to the proper procedure to use to change a tube, see my September 25, 2010 post. This entry only touches on changing tangentially.
A few days ago we had the first Pflugerville Monday Night Recovery Ride. I really like this ride and look forward to the smooth pace and generally two hours of non-strenuous cycling in the country east of Pflugerville. About an hour into the ride, in the middle of nowhere (as far as I could tell), Dani said my wheel made a noise and I probably had a flat. I'm deaf in one ear and take the hearing aid out of the other when I ride, so am thankful for any help. Sure enough, the rear tire was flat. I pulled over and began changing out the tube. Three riders stopped to help (let's be clear, they were there to lend moral support, and only help when asked).
One of the things I noticed when replacing the tire was how supple it was. That is, when I pulled out the flat tube, the tire fell off the wheel. For the uninitiated, one side usually stays in place and when you put in the new one, you just replace the one side. It took me three tries just to get one side to stay on the wheel. Very odd. Ok, the rest of the ride went well (for me, someone else flatted).
I always do a post-mortem on the tire and tube the next day. Couldn't fine any hole in the tire and only a minor leak in the tube, along the seam, more like it died of old age rather than an outside force. The tire was downright flimsy, so I tossed it and the tube. But that got me to thinking, it had plenty of rubber left, judging from the wear markers. I have one explanation.
When I acquired a coach, I also acquired a Stages Power Meter. My friend Brian loaned me a wheel with a power meter which I intended to use on my trainer bike. However, the trainer bike is a seven speed cog and his wheel is ten, so neither the chain nor the cog is happy. It also is not compatible with the Stages. As a result, when training called for power information, I lazily just put my road bike on the trainer. It was supposed to be only once or twice, so I figured it wouldn't hurt. As it turned out, what with the rain and all, it was more like a half-dozen times.
This may not be the reason, but it has energized me to update my thirty year old bike with some of the spare parts I keep putting in the cabinet. Because I'm not mechanically inclined, I'll do what I can, then take it in to BSS to finish up.
BTW, it took eleven minutes (maybe twelve) according to my Garmin to change the tube. It could have been faster, but I followed my own guidelines, plus having to find my glasses so I could see what I was doing. I'm grateful it was successful because it is Sooo embarrassing to change the tube only to not have it hold air.
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