Tight Tires

[Roadtrip]

Anyone else have trouble with really tight tires when trying to get the bead set after changing a flat? Is there a correct way to get them back on?? I know your not supposed to use the tool to get the tire on, but I just can't do it without ripping my hands to shreds on the wire bead. This time I just used the tire lever to get the dang thing back on, and even that was a pain, so any advice is much welcome.

Shannon

[westtexas]

Everytime I use the tire lever to get the tire back on, I end up ripping a hole in the tube and have to start all over again. It's hard to do, I agree, especially if you have crappy hand strength!!!

The trick I figured out for myself was to always wear cycling gloves. I then use the grippy parts of the gloves on my palms to help me grip the tire as I roll it up into the rim. It can be difficult but you can work it in slowly one little bit at a time until it just snaps right back in. I've done it about 5 times now that way and it gets easier every time (I get lots of flats out here, even with tire liners and properly inflated tires).

[OakLeaf]

I know it's not by the book, but I almost always use a lever to mount my tires.

Make sure there's a bit of air in the tube, enough to give it some shape, before you start. Check carefully that the tube is inside the tire at each point before applying pressure to the lever.

Once the bead is on the rim, work it all around and check that it's seated.

Inflate the tire about halfway and check it again.

Then let all the air out of the tube, work the bead all around the tire once more, and finally inflate it to pressure.

If I follow all those steps and don't cheat, I've never had a pinch.

It probably takes longer than doing it with your hands, but it sure is easier.



I think plastic levers are less likely to grab the tube than metal, also.

[radacrider]

I know it's not by the book, but I almost always use a lever to mount my tires.

Make sure there's a bit of air in the tube, enough to give it some shape, before you start. Check carefully that the tube is inside the tire at each point before applying pressure to the lever.

Once the bead is on the rim, work it all around and check that it's seated.

Inflate the tire about halfway and check it again.

Then let all the air out of the tube, work the bead all around the tire once more, and finally inflate it to pressure.

If I follow all those steps and don't cheat, I've never had a pinch.

It probably takes longer than doing it with your hands, but it sure is easier.



I think plastic levers are less likely to grab the tube than metal, also.

+1 - this is what I do. If I am at home, I sometimes use a little dish soap and water on the bead to help it slide on a bit easier, too. (:D rules were meant to be broken - is my motto. Do what works.)

[Eden]

Couple of suggestions -

Try a different brand of tire next time - some tire-rim combos seem to work better than others - a folding (kevlar) bead might be easier, but not necessarily... I've had *super* tight folders.

Keep your gloves on (or use a rag) and use your palms to push against the bead - helps save the skin on your hands.

If you have time, you can work to stretch the bead out a bit (and hopefully after the tire has been on the rim for a while it will stretch a bit too)

I'm with the others - I've used levers to get the tire back on with tight ones. I haven't had a problem with pinching the tube. I really like my Pedros levers - they are very rounded and not apt to tear up tubes.

[SadieKate]

I'm with Eden. Some rim-tire combos don't play well together.

[Becky]

Another vote for the Pedros levers here.

[Crankin]

The trick is to use your palms on that last part that needs to go in. Press your palms against the tire, loop your fingers around the top of the wheel, and apply pressure so you are rolling your palms up and down/back and forth. I'm not a whiz when it comes to other parts of the process, but I have helped more than a few experienced riders who were having trouble with this.
The Pedro levers are the best, but I've never used them for putting the tire back on. And some tires are just easier than others to work with. A friend just asked me why I didn't have a certain brand of "flat proof" tires and I responded that if I did get a flat, I'd never be able to get those tires on or off. I've found Contis or Shwalbes are much easier than others.

[FlyingScot]

Totally OT well maybe not totally. I needed to change my tube (broke the stem). Having never done it before I asked my brother to show me how and by show me I meant help ME do it. Instead he just takes the wheel and does it himself in about 2 minutes flat. Well, gee thanks, I really learned a lot by just sitting there watching. Oh and by the way HE was the one who broke the stem. GRRRR!

Thankfully there's always TE to help me learn all the tricks!

[SadieKate]

As I recall TE's fix-a-flat page is pretty good. Just remember, that some rims are slightly oversize and some tires are slightly undersize. No way, no how, will they play nicely together. Figure it out ahead of time so you aren't stranded on the road or trail somewhere. When the big strong boys at the LBS are using 4-letter words, it probably means you are doomed for aggravation or worse. I speak from experience.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/asa_levers

[Eden]

Indeed..... I had a tire so tight once that it took both me and my husband, one of us pulling, one of us pushing, both of us sweating and cussing to get it onto the rim.....

Fortunately it was also one tough sucker and never once flatted the entire time I had it.

[ny biker]

I have this the Kool Stop tool:

http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Jack/dp/B001AYML7K

I used to bring it with me on rides, but then I found the VAR tire lever, which is smaller so now I keep that in my bike bag and use the Kool Stop at home.

http://www.amazon.com/Var-High-Pressure-Lever-System/dp/B004ETKDAA

However I don't know who sells the VAR lever these days.

Both tools are lightweight plastic, it's just that the Kool Stop is a bit larger.

[azfiddle]

Ugh! more issues with tight tires!

I have just given up on trying to get on the new tire by myself. The last one that I put on the front rim was just like this and my DH had trouble with it. After 45 minutes of struggling I have resigned myself to no ride this morning but a trip over to the bike shop when they open to get some help.

So I'm going to go work in the yard now.... hmmph

[nscrbug]

Both me and my DH have resorted to using a tire lever to mount a tire back on, and we haven't encountered any problems doing so. My DH is really meticulous and very slow when it comes to changing a flat...it's not uncommon for him to take as long as 30 - 40 minutes to change a flat. But yeah, we have both struggled with getting tires back on (and getting them off, too)...particularly the Michelin Krylions that I'm using right now. DH insists that they have a wider/thicker bead which makes them extremely difficult to remove/install. This was not the case when I was using Vittoria Diamante Pros...so I may go back to those when it's time for new tires.

[azfiddle]

The bike shop guy got the tire on pretty quick, but he also had to use the tire lever. He just got it done in a minute instead of 45...

[Sky King]

The other thing I find helpful it the proper swear words, now you may need to come up with your own as I can't share mine on TE :)

[spokewench]

I second the fact that some tires and rims are just really tight and sometimes you have to use the tool to get it on.

Here's another tip. Once you get the tire mounted almost all the way, check to make sure the tube is not being pinched and then go all the way around the tire pushing the bottom of the tire in towards the rim; this is kind of hard to describe. But, if you do this, it helps get a tight tire on.

[MomOnBike]

As an aside, I'd rather the tires be a bit tight than far too easy to get on. They have a better chance of staying on the rims that way. (You don't have to ask how I know this. The new tires were harder to get on, and are staying put.)