Main Mechanic

I find mechanical issues frustrating.  There's an angry woman inside my head doesn't really understand why I don't already have the mental tool kit to handle the simple thing called bike mechanics.  Something missing perhaps in my upbringing, those lessons in fine tuning gears were as missing as were the lessons on applying make up and using hair straighteners.

So, it was really quite a feat for me to take the brave step of purchasing new tyres and new inner tubes for the Trek Hybrid commuter bike.  The bike is possibly 8 years old, maybe a little more, and is indeed on its original set of tyres, although inner tubes have come and gone as needs and punctures dictate.  The bike started to feel a little sloppy in handling like the road and bike and indeed tyre and wheel were looking to part company, and although some of this can be attributed to lack of air in tyres, it did seem reasonable to look at a replacement programme. 

Is there something in a man's head which makes replacement of tyres a really simple job of just going to shop, picking them off the shelf, taking home and fitting to bike?  For me, not so much.  For me it's a carefully considered research, using online reviews, and finally posting on message forums to gather in thoughts and opinions.  Only after a matter of days am I in a position to purchase.  Then of course I need to find the best price.  Finally the new tyres and new inner tubes arrive.  Now, being a self declared numpty as far as mechanical aptitude is concerned, I have from somewhere deep in my brain dredged up some information about rubber deteriorating over time; hence the new inner tube decision.

I was going to fit them myself.  Of course I was.  But as there happened to be a bloke in the house itching to get his Christmas present Leatherman out it was a no brainer to make it a joint effort.  The joy of this is that I could offer helpful criticism.  Lots of helpful criticism.  And sound pompous.  Oh, you really want to start work taking off the tyre at the same place as the valve. etc. etc. etc. Surprised I didn't get a Leatherman inserted somewhere quite painful.

Tyres fitted, and then we read the instructions.  How much pressure?  Wow.  The tyres are as tight as a botox forehead.  Amazing, and I can feel every piece of gravel on the road.  The front mudguard however on yesterday's trial run is rubbing against the tyre which pre-empts possible future disaster of creating hole in tyre and of course adding to the resistance which frankly I don't need.  Lots of frustrating attempts to adjust mudguard, all kinds of tools out (no hammer though), and eventually I just remove the damned mudguard.  It is summer, after all.