tIRES

What wheels are you using?
What tires are you using?

I use vittoria tyres - Open Pave CG and Open Corsa CXs

Generally I find folders easier to fit and handle than wired ons.

Start at the valve and aim to finish opposite it. Be sure to let all the air out of the tube for the last bit and make sure the bead is well centred in the rim elsewhere (often there is a small recess in the centre that the bead drops into to give you an extra mm or two).

Then it is just a matter of pushing as they say!

It's impressive to watch someone remount a tire without tools, and I've done it on occassion. But normally use a tire lever at the first sign of resistance. Certainly wouldn't waste time or energy at the side of the road trying to wrestle a tire on when it's so easy to just use the tire lever for the last few inches.

Putting a tire on without a lever (especially a folder) is a piece of cake and I'm far from a pro bike mechanic! I'm having a hard time understanding how this can be so difficult. The only time I use a lever (always plastic, never metal) is to hook the bead to get it started taking it off.

OK, here is my first post. Top of the screen keeps telling me to do so. Anyway the thing about tires and rims is that different manufacturers fit differently. Had a Vitorria that would not hardy go on with a crow bar much less a plastic tire tool. Have Michelin Axial Pro's that I can put on with no tools. Same goes for wire bead or folding, some do some don't.

So there!

dhk said:

It's impressive to watch someone remount a tire without tools, and I've done it on occassion. But normally use a tire lever at the first sign of resistance. Certainly wouldn't waste time or energy at the side of the road trying to wrestle a tire on when it's so easy to just use the tire lever for the last few inches.

Iron fingers. Impressive indeed.

wildearth2001 said:

I have been noticing that many new road tires are WAY to tight and are very difficult to get the last 6inches of the 2nd bead onto the rim. Does anybody have any tips to make this easier (I have spent the last hour trying to get a tire onto a wheel here at my house and can only imagine doing this on the side of the road)

Use lighter, thinner tubes -- I'm serious!! 🙂

Trying to get a tight tyre over a thinner tube is HEAPS easier.

Lately I've using Tioga Super Lights, and "they bin gerd"

531Aussie said:

Use lighter, thinner tubes -- I'm serious!! 🙂

Trying to get a tight tyre over a thinner tube is HEAPS easier.

Lately I've using Tioga Super Lights, and "they bin gerd"

I agree. I used to struggle to get my tires mounted until I started using the Michelin Road Ultralight tubes.

capwater said:

Putting a tire on without a lever (especially a folder) is a piece of cake and I'm far from a pro bike mechanic! I'm having a hard time understanding how this can be so difficult. The only time I use a lever (always plastic, never metal) is to hook the bead to get it started taking it off.

I'm guessing you just haven't run into the right (or should I say wrong) tire/rim combination yet. Some of them can be a royal pain in the ass!

meehs said:

I'm guessing you just haven't run into the right (or should I say wrong) tire/rim combination yet. Some of them can be a royal pain in the ass!

I'll admit a wire bead is a bit tough, but Michelin Pro Race tires are easy and thus my tire of choice.

Cheers!