Tyres, is nothing easy

[country joe]

i purchased Conti 4000 folding, and they were murder to put on, they are so tight,i managed the front but the rear i must have nicked the tube,
I phoned my local repair shop, who told me to leave them on over night
and this will strech them a wee bit making it easier,
i was thinking of purchasing a Var tyre Jack, in case i get a puncture and have to take them off.
Is the var jack any good?

 

[Bug]

Some tyre/rims are a nightmare to get off/on. My Rubino Pros take about 10 minutes of swearing to remove and the same to put back. The other side of the coin is that they very, very rarely pick up a puncture.

 

[Amanda P]

Try dusting the tyres in talcum powder before fitting them.

Sounds bizarre, but it really makes even tight tyres go on much easier. The talc tends to stay put inside the tyres, so it's still there lubricating things when you come to refit them after a puncture on the road.

 

[numbnuts]

I’ve got a var tyre lever they are very good on tight tyres

 

[country joe]

I think i will try the Val Levers, and also the Talc, but if im having us much bother when the tyres have been in the house, theres no way i would attempt this at the roadside,
To ask what tyres are not tight is a minefield, as a Forum member would post saying he can get these tyres on with his fingers.

 

[Amanda P]

It's more a question of the combination of rim and tyre. Some rims are fractionally bigger than the nominal size - enough to make a tight-fitting tyre very tight.

With a VAR lever and a bit of talc in them, they should be do-able at the roadside.

 

[country joe]

It's more a question of the combination of rim and tyre. Some rims are fractionally bigger than the nominal size - enough to make a tight-fitting tyre very tight.

With a VAR lever and a bit of talc in them, they should be do-able at the roadside.

thanks for that Uncle Phil.

 

[RedBike]

Thankfully once the tyres have been on for a bit they seem to stretch so they're not so difficult to get off / on next time.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Try getting Vredestein fortezza tri comps onto Mavic Aksiums...I nearly gave up cycling that day!

 

[cyclingtips]

Try This:

Good question - it's a common problem getting those tight tires on there.

I posted something on this issue here: http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2008/09/tough-bike-tyres/


What NOT to do:
DO NOT use tyre levers to help pry the tyre onto the rim. This will only pinch the tube and you’ll have to start again.
My Technique:
Fit one side of the tyre bead around the rim. Then put the tube in the tyre, slightly inflated to give it a bit of shape. Start working on the tyre as you normally would starting from the valve side. When it becomes tough to get the rest of the bead onto the rim, spray some WD-40 onto the troubled section of the rim. No need to use a lot, just enough to lube it up. Using a rag over the tyre for grip, start working the tyre with both hands from either side. It should easily slide onto the rim. Finally, check that the tube is not being pinched anywhere by the tyre. To do this, squeeze the tyre on both sides all the way around the rim. There should be no tube popping out anywhere.
Now that was easy!

 

[Tynan]

levers don't pinch the tube unless you're ham fisted, little bit of tube inflation keeps the tube inside the tyre and off the rim

I fitted a GP4000 from spankig new once without trouble, on the pavement outside the shop

I fit my tyres these days with my thumbs, there'sa knack about thumbing them on a little bit at a time

 

[country joe]

Last night i managed with great difficulty to put the tyre on the rim, minus the tube,
Didn't wish to nip another,
I left it on over night to let it stretch as recommended by my local Cycle shop,
Gave the tube and tyre a dusting of talc,
And replaced this morning, Tyre was still a bit tight, and did need to use plastic levers for the last wee bit, but it was defiantly easier,
When my Var Tyre lever arrives i will take this on the road, and if i am unfortunate to have a puncture, i will let Forum members know if i found using this tool easier,
Thanks for all your tips especially the Talc.
CJ.
Tynan, i must have soft hands as there is no way i could have replaced this tyre using my fingers.

 

[soulful dog]

I bought some Specialized Borough CX tyres of someone on this forum and had to use the tyre lever to get the last 2-3 inches of the tyres on! My thumbs were killing me (soft, sensitive wee hands!). However, I'd previously managed to get my cheap Chinese tyres on without any problem whatsoever.

 

[Tynan]

every tyre different natch and mine might be well worn in now, but it's a knack, you have to push the tiniest bit on with your thumb, I'm sure a new tyre is far stiffer

but again, a bit of air in the tube first keeps it away from the rim, then just be careful with the levers

 

[4F]

every tyre different natch and mine might be well worn in now, but it's a knack, you have to push the tiniest bit on with your thumb, I'm sure a new tyre is far stiffer

but again, a bit of air in the tube first keeps it away from the rim, then just be careful with the levers

I agree. I used to just use levers but after watching the chap at my local LBS get a marathon + on just with his hands I thought if he can do it so can I.