the tires from hell...

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03-15-2011, 04:59 PM
Miranda

the tires from hell...

Are you familiar with these little beauties?

Ya know... the ones that produce bloody knuckles, a few choice words, and eventually a trip to the lbs *sigh of defeat*:(.

My last new tire switch finally got put on by the lbs owner with a set of metal tire levers after we broke some plastic ones. Which is still not great risking tube damage, marks the rim up, etc.

OK, so I'm out shopping for metal levers of my own today (trying not to give up altogether on diy) and diff lbs owner shows me this weird screw driver thing he uses, vs metal tire levers (&he has none on hand to sell me). Kinda resembled a cross between putty knief and a smashed kitchen spoon head lol, ikr?!:confused::rolleyes:... idk where this thing even exists?

BUT... the guy says to me also... "Oh, those high end road folding bead tires are the WORST for getting on new (btw, more bmx focused shop happened to be on my errand route today)! Wire beads are much easier"... uh... OK, so how can something that is wire be easier to put on than something that folds??:confused:
03-15-2011, 05:09 PM
redrhodie

I met them before. Funny, it was when I was showing my newbie friend how easy it is to change a tire. Yeah, that was embarrassing. :rolleyes:
03-15-2011, 05:13 PM
KnottedYet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miranda

OK, so I'm out shopping for metal levers of my own today (trying not to give up altogether on diy) and diff lbs owner shows me this weird screw driver thing he uses, vs metal tire levers (&he has none on hand to sell me). Kinda resembled a cross between putty knief and a smashed kitchen spoon head lol, ikr?!:confused::rolleyes:... idk where this thing even exists?

I have one of those! I love it. I've also got regular tire levers, but I find the screwdriverthingummy has more leverage.

I've had to take my bike with the Campy rims to the shop to have them finish the tire for me. It was embarrassing...
03-15-2011, 05:26 PM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrhodie

I met them before. Funny, it was when I was showing my newbie friend how easy it is to change a tire. Yeah, that was embarrassing. :rolleyes:

lol... yea, dontcha just LOVE that!

Well, I didn't feel quite so bad as I was still bleeding in the back of the lbs with the owner and him breaking his own levers trying to assist me... and *still* struggling to get the thing on right with the metal levers, and strong man hands.

Gheez...
03-15-2011, 05:29 PM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I have one of those! I love it. I've also got regular tire levers, but I find the screwdriverthingummy has more leverage.

I've had to take my bike with the Campy rims to the shop to have them finish the tire for me. It was embarrassing...

Ooooo... I'm jealous & curious... where did you buy this little gem? I did briefly look just in the hardware section of Walmart and saw nothing like it. Plus, tried to do some googling, and was unsuccessful.
03-15-2011, 07:18 PM
KnottedYet

Got mine at the LBS. I think it was made by Crank Brothers?

The big handle is easy to put pressure on, and the long lever arm lets you shift (nearly) immovable objects.

Mine is hot pink... ooh la la!
03-15-2011, 07:23 PM
Pedal Wench

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I've had to take my bike with the Campy rims to the shop to have them finish the tire for me. It was embarrassing...

tell me 'bout it...:mad:
03-16-2011, 02:49 AM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Got mine at the LBS. I think it was made by Crank Brothers?

The big handle is easy to put pressure on, and the long lever arm lets you shift (nearly) immovable objects.

Mine is hot pink... ooh la la!

Hmmm.... looking on CB website,

http://crankbrothers.com/tools.php

just multis & speedlevers (got that already), maybe it's older production?

Idk if shop guy will give it up where his came from or not. They don't seem to care for DIY peeps lol:rolleyes:.
03-16-2011, 02:56 AM
pinsonp2

Could these be the ones used? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-New...Q5fAccessories

Also found http://cgi.ebay.com/Pedros-Downhill-...36960319242317

P2
03-16-2011, 03:15 AM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinsonp2

Could these be the ones used? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-New...Q5fAccessories

Also found http://cgi.ebay.com/Pedros-Downhill-...36960319242317

P2

Yea! Both have the similiar end.... think the Pedro's tool looks about identical to the shop guys. His didn't say Pedro's... and maybe slightly wider like a kitchen spoon... but that's really close. :)Thanks for posting those links!

I did go to Park tools web site and besides standard metal levers, I saw this tool, but I dunno how it does pulling tires on, particularly skinny road tires.
http://www.parktool.com/product/tire-seater-PTS-1
03-16-2011, 06:42 AM
spokewench

Yep, I love those Tires! :rolleyes: Here's a tip. Especially when they are new and you are trying to put them on. Put them in the oven on low heat for just a short while to heat them up. or in the direct sun This makes them more pliable and easier to work with.
03-16-2011, 08:08 AM
ny biker

I have one of these:

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

and one of these:

http://randonneurextra.blogspot.com/...1_archive.html

which I bought here, although it looks like they are out of stock.

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/

Both are light enough to carry on a ride. The VAR fits easily in my seat bag. The Kool Stop is longer. It fit in my old handlebar bag, but when I retired that I had to keep it in my jersey pocket. So now I generally use it for home tire changes, and the VAR is with me in case of tire problems on the road. I find the Kool Stop is a bit easier to use.
03-16-2011, 09:56 AM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by spokewench

Yep, I love those Tires! :rolleyes: Here's a tip. Especially when they are new and you are trying to put them on. Put them in the oven on low heat for just a short while to heat them up. or in the direct sun This makes them more pliable and easier to work with.

:)Ok, great... thanks for the tip! Anything to help get the beasts on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ny biker

I have one of these:

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

and one of these:

http://randonneurextra.blogspot.com/...1_archive.html

which I bought here, although it looks like they are out of stock.

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/

Both are light enough to carry on a ride. The VAR fits easily in my seat bag. The Kool Stop is longer. It fit in my old handlebar bag, but when I retired that I had to keep it in my jersey pocket. So now I generally use it for home tire changes, and the VAR is with me in case of tire problems on the road. I find the Kool Stop is a bit easier to use.

Ooo, I like it... thanks for posting!:cool:
03-17-2011, 12:39 PM
sundial

Oh, I hate those kind of tires... the kind that you have to use a motorcycle tire lever to get on. :eek: :mad: :o
03-17-2011, 12:52 PM
parity

What kind of rim tape do you have? Some rim tape like Velox makes can make it extremely difficult to mount some type of tires. I had these DT Swiss rims and it was impossible to mount any kind of tire and would take me 20 to 30 mins of struggling, sweating, etc to mount a tire. I finally switched to using a thinner rim tape by Zipp and then I could mount tires way easier. If you are using Velox, try looking for some high pressure rim tape. Now a days I use Veloplugs if the rim holes are the right size. Also makes mounting tires so much easier.
03-17-2011, 01:31 PM
Chicken Little

I have stuck all my tires in the dryer for 10 minutes. Hasn't affected tire iife that I can tell, and they slip on. Now, a flat 30 miles from home is another story... This looks like a handy gadget.
03-18-2011, 03:13 AM
Miranda

Thanks for those additional thoughts! I ordered one tool, and am def gonna try the heat also. Hmm, idk bout rim tape, but will check out what's on my wheels.