new tires

[DebW]

I've probably said all these things before, but I'll say them again. Pinched tubes can be avoided. It's easier to do it right the first time than have to do it more than once.


Before you start moving the 2nd side of the tire over the rim, run your fingers between tire and rim and make sure that ALL of the tube is inside the rim.

Never ever use a tool to put a tire on. Sometime you can get away with it, but sometimes it bites you. If you really have to use a tool, use something like this which lifts the bead rather than prying it.

Once the tire is on, check that the tube in not caught between tire and rim. Sometimes it will end up between the bead and the bottom of the rim, causing the tire to lift as the tube is inflated. The valve area is especially likely to get caught in the bead. Grab the valve and push it up into the tire so that the tube clears the rim in that area, let the tire seat completely, then pull the valve back into place.

When you inflate the tire, stop with ~30 lb in it and inspect the bead. If it's rising in one area, let the air out and reseat it. If it fails to rise in one area, liquid soap will help. Inflate to full pressure only after you confirm that the bead is properly seated all the way around on both sides.

[RolliePollie]

You all have great suggestions! For this particular new tire, I'm going to find help though. My hands are just destroyed today. I have gashes, swollen knuckles, and my fingertips are so sore! I was trying to use my tire levers our of desperation and they kept slipping...fingers and knuckles hit the rims, the spokes, etc. over and over again. I have very tiny hands and fingers (my ring finger is a size 4-1/2!) and I just don't think there's enough strength there for tight new tires

Great info on pinch flats. I didn't pay any attention to how the tire was inflating. Considering the fact the the tube exploded and sounded like gunfire, I bet you it was bulging when I was inflating it.

I give a lot of credit to anyone who can get a silly new tire on their silly old wheel all by themselves!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sarah, different tires are different fits. My first TWO of sets of new tires were very snug to get on, but I managed to get them on and off with just my hands when i tried very hard. But this last set there was NO WAY to get them coaxed on without levers- DH tried and tried too. We know the techniques with working it slowly around the sides to ease more slack, thumb action, bracing, etc. They were super tight. But it was impressive how they became easier to get on and off after I levered them on first without tubes to sort of "pre-stretch" them.

Once i have the tire and tube on, I only inflate the tube about 1/3 hard and then bounce the tire all around lightly on the ground to help the tube settle, I also gently pinch in one side of the bead in all around and peer inside to make sure the tube is not caught under the bead, then the other side. Finally i put the wheel back on the bike (it's easier to coax it between the brake pads when not fully inflated) and inflate fully.