I can't do it! *sob*

[SouthernBelle]

Did you just use your hands, or did you try prying them over with the lever?

I remember I had a heck of a time putting my new Contis on last spring.

[indysteel]

Silver, I feel your pain. Have you tried the tires in the dryer trick? I tried this the last time I mounted new tires and it worked. The warmth makes them slightly more flexible.

Good luck!

[OakLeaf]

I've always had better luck using tire irons to mount tires as well as remove them. You just have to be a little extra careful not to pinch the tube.

[sarahkonamojo]

Know your struggle. Same tires it would take me FOREVER to get them on. They will stretch out. I like the oven idea!

Warning. I would also be so frustrated with getting the tires on the first time, that I'd end up with a pinch flat. And then I'd get to do it again. I'm going with gator skins now, which aren't as tight.

sarah

[Tuckervill]

I had to take my tire on and off three times the last time I changed a flat. When I finally got help, my hands were so spent that I couldn't do it the last time and so I asked the person who stopped to do it for me.

Karen

[Geonz]

Try using the tyre levers.

I was rully rully happy I didn't even have to resort to them when I put my hard case tire on last week. My rims are cooperative

[SnappyPix]

Had the same problem with Conti Gatorskins.
Beaded tyres are a nightmare to try to fit.
My top tip is to always buy folding tyres. A lot of tyres come in two versions - beaded and folding. The folding variety are a breeze to fit in comparison - and are every bit as strong as the beaded type - just less pain on the knuckles.