bgertzfield

Hi folks,

I'm a proud owner of a new Breezer Uptown 8. I haven't owned a bicycle for about 6 years, but I've just moved about 2 miles away from where I work here in the SF Bay Area, so I'm having a blast cycling to work.

One thing I'm somewhat concerned about with my Breezer is how I'm going to take off a tire to change a flat tube when I'm on the go. It looks like all I need is a 15mm wrench, but I can't find any that are really portable. (On top of that, I have to worry about disconnecting the shifter cable from the back hub, right?)

Does anyone have suggestions as to what kind of tool(s) I can use and store portably (ideally in my underseat Wedgie bag, but that's probably a pipe dream) so I'll be able to change a tube and make my way home in case a flat happens on my commute? If nothing like this exists, I'll live with carrying around a regular 15mm pedal wrench, but those are pretty long.

Thanks!

Ben

biketony

Six-inch adjustable wrench.

golftdi

I think you just need a 15 mm wrench + tire irons. I'd suggest you go to your LBS and have them demonstrate rear wheel removal and installation. I have a Villager and last week I took the Park Tools course at an LBS, mainly to learn how to do that. It's not fun.

Do you have an 07 model? Did it come with Schwabe (sp?) punture resistant tires? I'd like to get those (I already have Mr. Tuffy liners but I want maximum flat protection).

noisebeam

Sears sells a nice Craftsman 15mm stubby wrench (open one end, closed the other).
Search the FG/SS forum for many other 15mm wrench options as this topic comes up often there.

Al

thdave

Yeah, I've got one in my bag, too. You also need a patch kit, pump, and tire irons, although if your commute is only two miles you don't really have to keep that stuff on your bike (but definitely keep them at the office and home, so you can change a flat at either spot). The shifter cable is simple to remove--but--try it out at home and note the oval shape. If you don't, then you won't realize it and will find yourself trying to remove a round peg from square hole.

See my thread on Breezer Purchase Initial Thoughts https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/166011-breezer-purchase-initial-thoughts.html
I had a lot of flats on the original tires and switched to Schwalbe's after 1 year. There is a rumor that the 2007 model has upgraded tires, so you might be ok if you have that one. Either way, I'd recommend installing tire liners between the tube and tire--they are cheap and they reduce the # of flats.

Many congrats and I hope you get a lot of use out of your bike! The Breezer is well made.

dynaryder

Yep,Sears stubby. Carry one for my Milano and Surly. You'll also need a think a 10mm for the shifter and brake cable attachments. Couple things:

1) Be familiar with wheel removal. You should have gotten a manual that tells you how to remove the rear wheel. Do it at least once at home so you'll know what to expect on the road.

2) If you've got good dexterity,you might not need to remove the wheel. You can just pop one bead of the tire and pull the tube out with the wheel still on. Makes it hard to search the inside of the tire for the foreign object,but you won't need a wrench.

3) Remember to shift into first before removing the shifter cable. Or it'll be a real pain to do.

bgertzfield

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions! They're much appreciate for a newbie like me. The Craftsman stubby 15mm wrench looks like just what I need.

I'll practice up at home some taking each wheel off and putting it back on.

I asked my LBS about the 07 model, but they haven't arrived yet, and are looking to be a month or so out. I wanted to enjoy the spring air (and not have to pay the extra ~$150 for the 07 model -- yipes!), so the upgrades on the 07 (better tires, LED front light, full chain guard) didn't really seem like something worth waiting for.

If I end up getting a lot of flats like some folks have mentioned, I'll definitely look at new tires. My LBS recommended Specialized Armadillo tires if I run into trouble; anyone else have experience with them?

georgiaboy

The Specialized Armadillos are nice. However, there are a few others that are equal. For now, enjoy your bike. This site is a great source for information. You will get the straight facts here from fellow commuters. Use the search function for various topics. Believe me, everything under the sun regarding bicycles and commuting are discussed here. Be sure to check out the commuter bicycle pics thread which are a great way to see what other commuters are riding. Post a picture of you own bike as well.

Welcome to Bikeforums!!! Don't be a stranger. This forum is all about bicycle education and support.

GRedner

You post here too? Small world :-)

j_mavros

Also available here, just in case. I made a little copy of the relevant pieces of pages 23, 25, 26 (rear wheel removal and installation) and stuck it in my frame pack w/wrench, patch kit, spare tube, tire levers, pump and multi-tool. And did it a few times at home, as well. Still don't WANT to do it on the side of the road (knock-knock-knock), but am confident that I could if needed.

modernjess

I ride single speed, and carry the Surly Jetho tool. It's a 15mm and a bottle opener. Fits nicely in my seat wedge. It works really well.

sur jeth tule.jpg

fender1

+1 on the Sears Stubby 15mm. I carry one along with tire levers, tube, multi tool, patch kit, and a small set of needle nose pliers. Great for getting the gear shift cable seated after you re-install the wheel. If you are riding after dark I would also suggest one of those very small flashlights that is a bit longer that a AAA battery. I put electrical tape on the end so I could hold it with my teeth and keep my hands free. Remember if you have the dynamo headlight, if the bike is not moving you will not have any light that you could see with for repairs.

bgertzfield

You're everywhere! How many other awesome forums have you not told me about?

bgertzfield

A wrench.. AND a bottle opener? Could two tools be more made for each other?

golftdi

I've only had my Breezer for 3 months but I'm loving it so far.

Today during my lunch stroll in Center City Philly I saw another Breezer for the first time. It was a Villager, locked up on the street. I did a double take becuase it looked so much like mine, including a rear pannier and blinky up front. It also had a kiddie trailer. Too bad the owner wasn't around.

golftdi

NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS! BINGO! That would really help.

KnoxBreezer

15mm cone wrenches are nice, light, short, and skinny. I carry one with my breezer and one with my fixed gear.



Practice with the rear wheel at home, take it on and off several times until you get the knack of it.

I switched out my stock breezer tires before putting a single mile on them (I already had a pair of Armadillos sitting around). The specialized nimbus armadillos are great tires, and I haven't flatted on them yet (knock on wood), they have about 950 miles on them.