Originally Posted by kahn

But I had the opposite problem when I got a flat near Golden Gardens Park. I could not loosen the rear (of course, where else get a flat) axle. I tried standing on it. I tried prying with a tire lever (bent) and I took my shoe off to pound with it. Nothing worked. Some guy pulled into the lot with what looked like a commercial pickup truck: "You have a hammer?" Better yet he had a heavy duty rubber mallet. It still took three good hits to loosen the damn thing. Since posting about that, someone mentioned one might be able to use a seat post (if hollow) as a lever extension.

But I'm not a bit more diligent about both tight and loose.

I had another flat last week. I was able to get the damn wheel off and even managed to the the tire off and back on (with lots of effort and appropriate grunts). But I'm having a hell of a time re-seating the wheel into the derailleur and disc brake "chamber" and I did release the clutch. I tried this and I tried that and I started again and again. Then miraculously if just fell into place. Seriously.

Mine also have an lever integrated with the axle - "nice" they want it to look retro like a quick-release lever. I did get some Roberts Axle but have not replaced the Specialized ones yet.