Fitting 'tight' tyres - help!

[e-rider]

Hi,

Has anyone got a great tip on how to fit tyres that are 'tight'.

I'm trying to get some Continental Sport Contacts 26*1.3 onto my Mavic Crossrides and it is such a stretch that I can't get the last bit on.

Yes, they are the correct size! I'm leaving them in the house to warm up as this might make the rubber a bit easier to work but other tips very welcome. Oh yeah, I've tried a tyre lever and that is now broken!

 

[ChrisKH]

Metal tyre levers.

As you say warming the rubber may be the answer. Wherever possible I avoid tyre levers and use all eight fingers to stretch the tyre over the rim. Takes some practice but you can do it in most circumstances.

 

[4F]

Ahh I seem to recall the same issue with those tyres. I used a metal tyre lever rather than the plastic sort and a bit of brute force. Thankfully once on it was 3000 miles before it had to come off again

I have seen people recommend talc powder and washing up liquid but I have never tried this

 

[e-rider]

Thanks, got them on in the end using plastic tyre levers. I have tried metal park levers before and found that they can damage the rim so I just used plastic ones and left the tyre in the house to warm up for an hour first.

Anyway - job done - wouldn't like to do that on the side of the road in the rain with cold hands and covered in mud though!

 

[swee'pea99]

Indeed - I recommended the ol' fairy liquid to someone but apparently it can perish the rubber, so talc's the stuff. And as for tyre levers, I long since gave up on they dang silly plastic things - total waste of space. Metal + brute force - you know it make sense! Having said which, are Mavic crossrides particularly sensitive souls? Never had any really serious wheels meself. Could you damage them? Is that why they invented plastic levers in the first place? Maybe those better informed than me can help.

 

[sheddy]

There is a robust hinged tool (plastic) that uses a lever action to pull the bead over the rim. Very useful on the roadside

 

[discplayer]

The problem I've found with washing up liquid is that as well as lubricating the tyre and rim it also lubricates your thumb which really doesn't help. Or maybe I'm just messy!

The helpful man in my LBS said to keep working your hand round the tyre making sure it's sitting as far in as possible. Bit by bit, but quickly and easily, this worked.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Schwalbe produce a tyre lubricant for this problem which is obtainable from SJS Cycles. Never needed it myself but one day, who knows?

 

[Steve Austin]

if fairy liquid rots tyres, then what does road salt do to them?

*urban myth that fairy liquid rots tyres*

 

[fossyant]

Talc is great. Coat the tube in it, then coat the inside of the tyre - helps fitting, helps stop pinching etc...

 

[Steve Austin]

so salt rots rubber?........ O really?

 

[TheDoctor]

I think it's supposed to be the petrochemical based detergent that rots tubes, rather than the salt. Doesn't seem to harm a pair of Marigolds particularly though.