Problems fitting slicks to MTB

mlinsell

I have just bought some 26x1.3 Continental Sport Contact tyres for my Kraken but no matter how hard i try with the tyre leavers I just cannot get them to fit. Would it be easier to fit 26x1.6 to the rims? or any other suggestions for what i might be doing wrong as I have tried numerous google searches now!

Thanks.

wallisdene

Check out the photos of my bike below... can be done but depends on what rims you have. The Mavic XM819 rims are only slightly deeper than normal/standard rims and fitting the same tyres as you've got was a b*tch to say the least. Almost took an eye out when a tyre lever snapped Get someone with vice like hands to help you - it's a two man job.

Anonymous

Are you sure your innertube is small enough? I used to use mahoosive IRC Torque tubes DH innertubes, and getting any tyre smaller than 2.3 onto the rims was nigh on impossible, because the innertube took up so much room, that I couldn't get the tyre's bead to sit in the centre drop of the rim.

Such a narrow tyre would need narrow tubes.

andysol

Ive found continental tyres (gravity, travel contact) no matter what size, very hard to get on my rims.
So ultimatley i opted for the specialised nimbus, which are much easier.

However key points are get a small (correct size) inner tube slightly inflated, ensure the tyre is not seated on the rim and pull like f**k from the bottom of the tyre all the way around to the top working any slack to the top. Then force + push the bead of the tyre on to the rim.

Dont use levers, you will just nip the inner tube (giving a puincture) and have to go through the whole rigmarolle again. As i have found to my cost when first fitting the conti's.

Andy (thumbs of iron)

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BlackSpur

I have also founf my Conto Travel COntact almost impossible to get off the rim - takes 2 people, soapy water and a lot of effort!

Anonymous

Continental tyres do seem smaller than any others.

KonaMike

I found my Conti's (Vapor and Gravity) a pain to fit too but dropping the tyre into the centre of the rim helps a lot.

Anonymous

I thought you had to do that, Mike.
I'm seriously wandering if there's some conspiracy going on, where rims and tyres have become slightly smaller over the years, compared to my ancient D321s! :shock:

skullthaw

i agree 2 man job but if u got plenty of levers put on e in every few inchess the push like hell normally works


try the shwable city jet i.50 adn in built puncture protection not too bad to put on got mine at halfords for bout £25

CraigXXL

I have the City Jets on my spare wheels and think they're great. £10 each from All Terrain or a pair for £15 from Cycle Promotions.

toslow

I also have a kraken . To be honest i think a lot of the problem is the standard rim . I did the same with the slicks for the short commute to work . I've gone for 1.5 width , got the right size innertubes, and still found them a complete bitch to fit .

abbots_mike

i think the beads must stretch slightly, or at least become easier to stretch, as i found earlier when putting back tyre to front and new on back!
also, kevlar beads do not budge. at all. ever.
(at least, mine always seem to be tight, whereas the old wire bead tyre was easy)

everogere

I have just bought a pair of Conti Gatorskins 1.25 and they were a pig to fit. Not only were they tight but they wouldnt sit on the rims correctly resulting in a dip in the tread. I tried many times to refit these but eventaully had to take to my LBS and even he only managed it after 8 attempts and half a bottle of fairy liquid. The other problem is the tube. A normal MTB tube will not fit such a narrow tyre I eventually went for a 700 road bike tube which seems to work ok.