Fitting tyre to new DRC ST17 rims is hard

GOMbeen

...very hard. These are new wheels built by Hewitt cycles. They are DRC ST17 (with brake-wear indicator). (Part of this audax build project :
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14744868#14744868

On my first go, I am putting on some previously used (by me) tyres. With a lot of struggle and the use of a tyre lever, I got a Vittoria Randonneur 28-622 on one wheel. On inflating, I found a puncture, presumably because of a lever-rim squeeze. So far, it is proving difficult (in fact not managed yet) to remove the tyre.

On the other wheel I tried first a Gatorskin 25-622, really no go, couldn't even get one bead seated. Then I have tried a Schwalbe Blizzard 23-622, no go so far, but not quite so bad as the Gatorskin.

Feeling demoralised here, I've never failed to get a tyre on a rim so far, except the Gatorskin (but that was when trying in a cold dark cyclepath). However I've only ever used wider rims before.

Is this down to the rims ? Are DRCs esp difficult to work with ? Are the tyres too difficult for these rims ? Would a different brand of tyre be easier to work with ? Did I make an expensive mistake by asking for 17mm rims, will it be possible to ask Hewitts to rebuild with a wider and/or more forgiving rim ?

I really want something that can be removed and replaced as needed, don't fancy having to call for a ride home if can't fix the inevitable fl@t on roadside in few mins.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom, or just amusing tyre stories to lift the spirits.

Eoin GomBeen

piedwagtail91

I've only used gatorskins on them but haven't had the problems you describe, they can be hard to get on but I've never had to resort to tyre levers.
i usually make sure both beads of the tyre are pushed down into the well of the rim, working from opposite the valve pushing the bead into the well on both sides of the rim as i work to the valve, then it's never been much of a struggle to get the last bit on, push the valve up into the tyre and inflate.
if you start at the valve it can sometimes prevent you getting the bead down into the well of the rim.

GOMbeen

Thanks, encouraging to know someone can fit this !

Are you using 17mm rims also and the same brand (DRC) or a different one ?

I know what you mean about the both beads in the well method, but.... I cannot do this, I can get the (Gatorskin 25-622) over the rim, but cannot get the beads into the well together - the tube (even without air) seems to occupy too much of the well). All I can manage is to get about 80%of one bead seated and then about the same of the other one.

Is it at all possible that a smaller sized tube would make a difference ? Could the rim be from a batch that is slightly too big ?

Thanks

Eoin GOMbeen

piedwagtail91

i usually put one side of the tyre on , put the tube in and put a bit of air in it just to give it some shape., then push the tube into the tyre all the way round, then i let the air out of the tyre , this seems to keep it out of the way and "up" in the tyre away from the beads.
other than that i'm using the same rim.
i'm using schwalbe sv15 tubes which are for 18 - 28 mm tyres.

GOMbeen

Thanks for the further info PiedWagtail.

Still I cannot even get one bead fully seated. Nor can I get the Vittoria Randonneur (28-622) which has a rim punctured tube inside off the other wheel.

So far these new wheels have not exactly been a source of joy (and they're not even on the bike yet).

I have heard good things about Var tyre levers .... would these help at all ? Any opinions ?

Enough for tonight, going off to ice up my aching thumbs/wrists. Things usually look better in the morning.

Eoin GOMBeen

redddraggon

This should do the job:

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx? ... ed%20Lever

I use one to get my tyres on and off my stubborn campag rims.

GOMbeen

Finally got the Schwalbe Blizzards on the rims ! Hardest part was getting the other tyres off (Vittoria Randonneur and Conti GatorSkin). Eventually I worked out, rather than the conventional technique of hooking one lever and lifting the bead with the other, to lift the bead with 2 levers together about 10cm apart. This worked fine on both of them. In fitting the tyres, I found that pulling the last bit of bead from the 'far side' was more productive than pushing from the 'near side'. Managed both the tyres without levers and no snakebites.

Reddragon - thanks for the Crank Bros tip, I got one on order from the Wiggle store, even with 'free postage', it has been dispatched this a.m. for delivery tomorrow - no bad.

Thanks guys !

Eoin GOMbeen

acorn_user

Have you tried different tyres? Some have really stiff sidewalls. I find Schwalbe Marathons to be tough to fit to any rim. You could try something with a supple sidewall like a Panaracer Pasela.

bill57

I've got a pair of DRC ST17 wheels, which I gave up on a long time ago. The thought of puncturing far from home, in the rain or winter, fills me with dread. And to get the tyre on to find you've more than likely nipped the tube. The rear is at least useful as a turbo wheel, but I will never, ever, ever entertain DRC rims again.