Really tight tyres - any tips for easier changing?

[potsy]

I do like that lever, I've had a VAR set for years but that 'speedier' looks worth trying.

I got one of the speedier levers early this year after struggling with tyre fitting on one of my bikes, they are much better than normal levers but you still have to be careful not to pinch the tube.

Some tyre/rim combinations are just much tougher than others, I have 2 bikes with Alex Rim wheels which are really easy to get tyres onto, same tyres on my Ultegra rims are a nightmare.

 

[EasyPeez]

Sorry for the slow response, not had much time online for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for all the replies. It's good to know I'm not alone anyway!

Try some Talcum powder

Talc inside the tyres and on rims next time I take them off, you mean? I assume this must have some lasting effect then, or do you and @Globalti carry a tube of talc in your saddle bag every time you go out?! I do like a bit of northern soul as it happen so I guess this could be a useful investment for the pursuit of both interests...

It got the tyre back on after a struggle and one sliced tube.

That's not exactly a glowing review for the Speedier...I have got myself one as I was in need of new chain and cassette anyway so it was only an extra £6 on the order. Will see how I get on with it when the time comes....

swearing, crying, and even a little rocking back and forth whilst hunched over in the corner of the workshop

Hahaha! You can't know how relieved I felt upon reading that. I pretty much went through exactly the same stages and felt like I must be the most useless cyclist in the world. Good to know we can share each other's pain. Maybe we should look into setting up a support group?!

You can also try the Pippsy method. Stand alongside the wheel and trap the not-yet-on bit of tyre with the edge of your shoe. Push the wheel away from you, keeping the tyre trapped. It'll ease into place without thumb damage.

@PippaG 's avatar features her trying it in a pair of high heels. <little moment>

Looks a bit kinky for my liking...

 

[EasyPeez]

I've used a VAR lever in the past on tight tyres.

Would you recommend? I'm struggling to see how they're any different to standard tyre levers from the website description. I wonder if they'd be better or worse than the Speedier tool?

 

[Tim Hall]

Would you recommend? I'm struggling to see how they're any different to standard tyre levers from the website description. I wonder if they'd be better or worse than the Speedier tool?

Definitely. They're a pair of standard, if nicely skinny, levers for removing the tyre and a nifty tool for levering a tight tyre back on. I've used both a Speedlever and the VAR tool and for me the VAR wins.

 

[Saluki]

My Conties are really really tight and I have rubbish hands so my answer to sorting out the problem was to get the conties, put them in Hubsters 'bike box' and fit Schwalbe Lugano tyres. Easy peasy.

 

[slowmotion]

I've found that fabric rim tape makes it a lot harder compared to using plastic rim tape. I think that it's because there's a lot more friction that prevents the bead moving round the well of the rim as you try and get a bit more slack for the "final push". BTW, the Spa Cycles video is great but I still used about 16 cable ties and had blood coming out from underneath both thumb nails.

 

[Smurfy]

Koolstop Tyre Mate is about as heavy duty as specialist cycling tyre levers get. Looks heavy, but is made of Glass Reinforced Plastic (I think), so light enough to take out on the road.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/koolstop-koolstop-tyre-mate-prod34684/

I've got the Simson Tyre Mate, which was the predecessor of the Koolstop.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/simson-tyre-mate-prod22353/

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've used a VAR lever in the past on tight tyres.

You can also try the Pippsy method. Stand alongside the wheel and trap the not-yet-on bit of tyre with the edge of your shoe. Push the wheel away from you, keeping the tyre trapped. It'll ease into place without thumb damage.

@PippaG 's avatar features her trying it in a pair of high heels. <little moment>

I second the VAR tyre lever. Don't leave home without one ....

 

[screenman]

Often the person fitting the tyre is spending too much time concentrating on the part they are trying to get on, and not enough time on the part that is already on.

 

[400bhp]

Definitely. They're a pair of standard, if nicely skinny, levers for removing the tyre and a nifty tool for levering a tight tyre back on. I've used both a Speedlever and the VAR tool and for me the VAR wins.

+1. i have one and they really help with putting the tyre on.

I still carry a normal set of tyre levers as i find a normal set works easier to get the tyre off.

 

[EasyPeez]

Lots of positive reviews of the VAR - I'll get myself one ordered right now. Thanks for the advice

 

[DaveReading]

I do like that lever, I've had a VAR set for years but that 'speedier' looks worth trying.

Though I was slightly put off by the comment in the lnked article: "It's still only a tyre lever that only works on tyres that come off easily but if you have those tyres then this will save time and effort".

That rules out my M-plusses!

 

[DaveReading]

SPA cycles have a video of Marathon+ procedure, involving zip-ties to hold bead in rim-well.

Same one as embedded in the original post.

 

[EasyPeez]

Koolstop Tyre Mate is about as heavy duty as specialist cycling tyre levers get. Looks heavy, but is made of Glass Reinforced Plastic (I think), so light enough to take out on the road.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/koolstop-koolstop-tyre-mate-prod34684/

I've got the Simson Tyre Mate, which was the predecessor of the Koolstop.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/simson-tyre-mate-prod22353/

Those look pretty decisive! I'll see how I get on the with speedier and VAR combo when the time comes - hopefully those will suffice as I reckon I can a) fit them in my little saddle bag and b) get away with using them on the road without losing too many man points. I reckon if I whipped out the Tyre Mate on a group ride that would be a definite man-point reducer! Do you know how big it is? The website doesn't seem to list dimensions - looks maybe like more of a pannier than mini saddle pouch job? Cheers.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I've got Vision 30 wheels, & Vittoria Rubino ('23') on the Ribbble, quite a tight fit to remove/replace