Really tight tyres - any tips for easier changing?

[EasyPeez]

sorry to hear your trouble...recently my son bought Marathon plus tyres from Edinburgh bike cooperative and i told him to ask them to fit them as they have a reputation for bring hard to fit and they charged just a fiver to fit them...they said it would take them about 15 minutes to fit so he went and had a cuppa ....he returned 20 minutes later to find 3 assistants and the shop manager toiling to get them on ....it took them an hour and a few burst tubes to complete the job . hope your thumbs have recovered

Thumbs have literally only just recovered full feeling! New skin growth almost complete...So sod's law says I'm about due another puncture on this evening's ride!

Tyres off. Talc the whole inside of tyre. Talc the whole innertube.

Do you take talc out on rides with you, or is it a 'one-application lasts for the forseeable' kind of job? Cheers.

 

[EasyPeez]

he returned 20 minutes later to find 3 assistants and the shop manager toiling to get them on ....it took them an hour and a few burst tubes to complete the job

Keep these stories coming - I feel far less of a wimp now than I did when I first created this thread!

 

[vickster]

The tyres are on thanks to my strong, fresh thumbed helper
Cheers again @jefmcg

 

[fossyant]

Thumbs have literally only just recovered full feeling! New skin growth almost complete...So sod's law says I'm about due another puncture on this evening's ride!


Do you take talc out on rides with you, or is it a 'one-application lasts for the forseeable' kind of job? Cheers.

One application. I'm not that crazy

 

[Smurfy]

I may have to take my wheels to an LBS tomorrow having completely failed to get new Vittoria rubino pros on fulcrum 5 rims. My thumbs hurt, my shoulder hurts and my knee hurts from bracing and I've got oil on my trousers from the cassette. Quite annoyed now slow puncture or I wouldn't have even thought about it grrr

I've ordered a VAR tool as recommended above!

Have you considered employing a flunky?

 

[fossyant]

Pedros do the best tyre lever. I had to use them to fit bloody Schwalbe Snow Studs at first. They go on a little easier now. Also Decathlon's neon coloured tyre levers are good. Folding tyres (e.g. Kevlar beads) are easier to get on usually but more expensive).

Talc on the inside of a new tyre is a good move, and the tube. Stops stuff sticking.

 

[jefmcg]

Have you considered employing a flunky?

She's got me! Domestique (but not domestic).

One application. I'm not that crazy

Vickster is doing RideLondon on Sunday. I foolishly stopped her talcing her wheels. Would it be a good idea for her to let the tyres down and apply talc to the rims before the ride?

 

[RichardB]

I have Marathons on the Galaxy. I also have a set of motorcycle tyre levers, a foot long, heavy, with plastic hand-grips, and which make short work of a 120/90/17 knobbly. Great for the home workshop, perhaps not so welcome in a small wedge bag.

 

[James Ots]

If you think it's painful trying to change Marathon Plusses, try changing Marathon Winters. It's the same, except with a tyre full of sharp metal studs!

On a happier note, I swapped my Mavik Aksions for Rubino Pros last weekend, and I was able to get them off and on without the aid of any levers or cable ties, which was pretty satisfying.