Anything special to changing tire/repair flat on Como?

[STSKIDMORE]

I have been out of the bike scene for going on 12 years or so and just ordered a Como v2. How has this task changed?! If at all... I’m wondering what I might need in order to be prepared for a flat? How do the wheels come off? Anything special about the disk brakes? I assume tubes are still standard technology! I tried searching for ‘changing tire on Specialized Turbo’ but didn’t find anything specific for this bike. Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[Thomo]

On my Vado its tubeless tyres, so just need to carry a bottle of tyre seal with you (Wiggle - about £10). Had 2 flats in a year so far, on both occasions removed the thorns and poured in tyre seal - cured both.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Most of Vado and Como e-bikes still use inner tubes.

The major difference compared to older bikes are thru-axles front and rear. You need to carry a set of long Allen keys with you, of which the 5 mm hex key is the one you use to remove the wheel. You just insert the key into the axle socket from the left hand side of the bike and release the axle (which is a kind of special screw) with several anti-clockwise turns. When the axle gets loose, you just pull it out and the wheel jumps out of the fork (if that's the front one). You need to instantly replace the axle in the fork not to lose it and to keep the thread clean. Take care about the axle because these have delicate head socket and the thread and are not easy to buy later.

With the rear wheel, there is a "Shadow" clutch in the derailleur. You need to move the plastic clutch lever into the "down" position (the 3 o'clock position) to facilitate the wheel removal. The chain should be on the smallest sprocket. The rear wheel removal is the easiest when the bike is upside down. You also need to remove the rear thru-axle (note that one is different from the front axle).

 

[Thomo]

Most of Vado and Como e-bikes still use inner tubes.

Really? I only have a Vado 2 supplied new with tubeless, so assumed most now did

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Really? I only have a Vado 2 supplied new with tubeless, so assumed most now did

If the OP by chance gets the tubeless wheels, he needs not to worry about the tyre puncture at all... As you wrote.

 

[AZ Al]

I had to fix a tire last week and its been a few years since I had to do that task. Yes the axle is a straight trough bolt. A little thought and a proper tool and with some mechanical inclination and all was good. Do not mess with the open disk brake. Just let it be when the wheel is off. But getting that tire off of the rim was chore. I never used special tools before except maybe a screwdriver to get the tire off the rim. Well the bead on the new tires are much better than the bead of those older tires. Once you see the new bead and how sharp it is you will understand and the next time it will be easier. So you will work a bit to "break the bead" of the newer tires. Your fingers may work to do the job but perhaps some tire wrenches will work better. I got the tire off with a couple of screwdrivers and it worked. And yes I know about pinching the inner tube with a screwdriver, you just need to be careful until you get better tools. Otherwise it is just about the same as those older tires from 12 years ago. Have fun with the bike.

 

[Sierratim]

When either wheel is removed you do need to be careful not to tap or pull the brake lever. This can cause over extension of the brake pistons requiring them to to reset before reinstalling the wheel. This spacer avoids this, https://www.performancebike.com/shi...QFZC2NAxwoxuq_OjtL_EwTyB91A4HzJhoCgOwQAvD_BwE . I keep one in the shop and carry one in my flat repair kit.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

When either wheel is removed you do need to be careful not to tap or pull the brake lever. This can cause over extension of the brake pistons requiring them to to reset before reinstalling the wheel. This spacer avoids this, https://www.performancebike.com/shi...QFZC2NAxwoxuq_OjtL_EwTyB91A4HzJhoCgOwQAvD_BwE . I keep one in the shop and carry one in my flat repair kit.

Such a homemade brake pad spacer will do A piece of cardboard.

 

[Sierratim]

Such a homemade brake pad spacer will do A piece of cardboard.
View attachment 55705

Yep, that'll work. OurLBS included the Shimano spacers. They do clip in place which is nice.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I had the situation you described earlier and my brother made two such spacers for me

 

[TS25]

Such a homemade brake pad spacer will do A piece of cardboard.
...
my brother made two such spacers for me

I do like the disclaimer your brother has put on

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I do like the disclaimer your brother has put on

View attachment 55718

He's learning from Ye Goode Ole Specialized really fast!