It can't be this difficult to reattach a wheel...

corblimey · 22-04-2011 08:56PM #1

I have literally spend the last hour trying to attach a back wheel to my road bike (Giant Defy 3). I thought I had it about 20mins ago, but the wheel wouldn't move despite not being able to see what exactly was stopping it. Now I can't seem to get the axel into rear dropout at all, it won't go any closer than about 1cm from the hole and it looks like the upper pulley is stopping it from going any further. I'm afraid to force it and cause damage to the derailleur.

Is there a knack to it, something I'm not doing (I'm pushing the lower pulley towards the front as per the bicycletutor.com video - it takes him about 3 seconds to install the sodding wheel).

I've just about given up, but I'm loathe to take it down to the lbs tomorrow as I just know it'll take him about 3 seconds aswell. I've watched videos, looked at images, etc etc (the only thing I didn't do was look at it BEFORE I took off the wheel, but hindsight and all that). Any tips would be appreciated.

I've lost about 20 pounds in sweat and my fingers are raw.

irishmotorist · 22-04-2011 09:02PM

You should be able to hinge/lever the derailleur out of the way and the wheel will literally just fall/slide into place - unless you've had other things off and maybe not reassembled correctly.

corblimey · 22-04-2011 09:06PM

The only other thing I've changed since removing the wheel is to unhinge the brake pads a bit to allow the wheel to pass between them.

I wonder if it possible that my derailleur is in the wrong place because I didn't go to granny gear before removing it - I can't honestly say what gear I was in when I took the wheel off.

DaveR1 · 22-04-2011 09:12PM

Did u get it?? If u go into the granny ring, and just flick the gearing down to the smallest ring at the back. Then put the chain over the smallest ring, and the wheel should just pop on!!!

bcmf · 22-04-2011 09:12PM

move the mech out of granny gear preferably all the way down. Should slot in then

kona · 22-04-2011 09:16PM

When changing a rear wheel change into top gear at the back ( 7,8,9) This will allow the wheel to pop in.
Im suprised at Giant, BSO usually need to have the chainstays bent out.

Dont force anything, usually when I spend ages on something at its not working, I go have tea, come back with a fresh head and usually get it sorted. The owrst thing you can do it lose the rag and beat it or break something.

Al Wright · 22-04-2011 09:21PM

Check that the back deraillier is more towards the outer (higher) sprockets on the wheel. Then grasp the back deraillier, near the hanger and bring it back towards back of bike and with thumb push the bracket with the two jockey wheels forward, against the spring pressure, i.e. straighten the assembley. The back wheel then just drops in.

petethedrummer · 22-04-2011 09:37PM

'Smallest' cog is the clearest way to describe the cog in question here.

Beasty · 22-04-2011 09:56PM

Try slotting it into the dropouts without the skewer in place

corblimey · 22-04-2011 10:35PM

Tks all for the suggestions, but I've had to give up. On my last attempt about an hour ago, a little silver pin, about 1cm long, dropped out of somewhere, and I have no idea, so I'm afraid I've done real damage to the derailleur or the chain. Going to have to bring it into the lbs tomorrow and hope for the best. Maybe he can show how a normal person does this.

Beasty · 23-04-2011 12:59AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfu96dIcPdA

corblimey · 23-04-2011 07:42AM

Tks, Beasty. That's one of the many many videos I watched. They all make it look so easy, but I'm doing something wrong. My theory is strong, my ability is weak

irishmotorist · 23-04-2011 10:28AM

Can you stick up a photo of what it looks like when it's stuck? A photo of the Derailleur side of the wheel might be of most use...

_DMac_ · 23-04-2011 04:34PM

any joy with it??

Holyboy · 23-04-2011 07:25PM

I know you say you think you've broken something, but have you got fenders on the bike and what size of tyre do you have fitted? If it's wider than 23c and inflated the chain stays could be stopping it slipping in or a fender if you have one, also if the over lock nuts are loose on the axle it may not slip in but it would still butt up against the frame if that were the case.

petethedrummer · 23-04-2011 09:45PM

Have you tried prayer? He's on his way back tomorrow and he might help you out.

It can't be this difficult to reattach a wheel...

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