Tight Tires

[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. ( 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