Tight Tires

[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.../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-Press.../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.