Tight Tires

[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.

[azfiddle]

Ugh! more issues with tight tires!

I have just given up on trying to get on the new tire by myself. The last one that I put on the front rim was just like this and my DH had trouble with it. After 45 minutes of struggling I have resigned myself to no ride this morning but a trip over to the bike shop when they open to get some help.

So I'm going to go work in the yard now.... hmmph

[nscrbug]

Both me and my DH have resorted to using a tire lever to mount a tire back on, and we haven't encountered any problems doing so. My DH is really meticulous and very slow when it comes to changing a flat...it's not uncommon for him to take as long as 30 - 40 minutes to change a flat. But yeah, we have both struggled with getting tires back on (and getting them off, too)...particularly the Michelin Krylions that I'm using right now. DH insists that they have a wider/thicker bead which makes them extremely difficult to remove/install. This was not the case when I was using Vittoria Diamante Pros...so I may go back to those when it's time for new tires.

[azfiddle]

The bike shop guy got the tire on pretty quick, but he also had to use the tire lever. He just got it done in a minute instead of 45...

[Sky King]

The other thing I find helpful it the proper swear words, now you may need to come up with your own as I can't share mine on TE

[spokewench]

I second the fact that some tires and rims are just really tight and sometimes you have to use the tool to get it on.

Here's another tip. Once you get the tire mounted almost all the way, check to make sure the tube is not being pinched and then go all the way around the tire pushing the bottom of the tire in towards the rim; this is kind of hard to describe. But, if you do this, it helps get a tight tire on.

[MomOnBike]

As an aside, I'd rather the tires be a bit tight than far too easy to get on. They have a better chance of staying on the rims that way. (You don't have to ask how I know this. The new tires were harder to get on, and are staying put.)