Tyre installation tips sought

[graham bowers]

Today I took off 23mm 700C wired Gatorskins that I've whipped on and off with relative ease following various *p* events, and replaced them with 25mm 700C folding Gatorskin Hardshells. What a battle I had to get the Hardshells on. I used all the tricks I know of:

Push the bead in to the well of the rim and continue to do so as the fitting proceeded, hold with tie wraps, finish 90 degrees from the valve. I ended up lubing the last bit with soap solution ( never needed to do that with a bike tyre before), and only just succeeded.

I would dread having to refit on the roadside.

Are they likely to ease over time, and are there any tips that may make it easier please? And would wired 25mm's have been easier to fit?

Thanks

Graham

 

[mjr]

I do not rate gatorskins but Marathons are a difficult fit at first but get easier. Good tyre levers are a great help. I use some old revolution levers but am trying a Crank Brothers Speedier and some Bontrager ones too. So far so good. Others recommend VAR tool.

 

[screenman]

Valve last for me, must admit I have never had a problem with those tyres.

 

[fossyant]

talc

 

[Ben Reeve]

I've always found the key is gradually pushing the slack around the tyre. There will always be a little bit.

If you start the opposite side to the section you re trying to put in, gradually move any slack in the tyre around the rim. You can generally get the tyre in about another 1-2cm this way. It takes a while, but seems to save any more extreme measures!

 

[bonsaibilly]

I've always found the key is gradually pushing the slack around the tyre. There will always be a little bit.

If you start the opposite side to the section you re trying to put in, gradually move any slack in the tyre around the rim. You can generally get the tyre in about another 1-2cm this way. It takes a while, but seems to save any more extreme measures!

1-2 centimetres?! How big are your rims?! BB

 

[Ben Reeve]

I meant around, not downwards!

 

[lpretro1]

The gatorskin hardshells are a bit stiffer to fit - it's best to get them nice & warm before fitting. With a bit of luck you may avoid more p*******s so will not have to refit them out on the road!

 

[graham bowers]

Thanks for the tips. I've always avoided using levers to put a tyre on for obvious reasons, but the VAR "bead jack" looks good, as does talc.
Graham

 

[mjr]

Thanks for the tips. I've always avoided using levers to put a tyre on for obvious reasons, ...

Old wives' tales of pinching tubes? The old metal levers that could stab tubes?

 

[graham bowers]

Old wives' tales of pinching tubes? The old metal levers that could stab tubes?

Old Dad's tale as I remember ;-)