A proud but sad day....

linsen
linsen Posts: 1,959
edited November 2008 in Commuting chat
I have fitted some new tyres to my bike, saving £10 which the LBS wanted for doing it while I was at work...(which can obviously go in the kitty on Friday :D )

I have no skin left on my thumbs, and I had to use a tyre lever to get it on (I know, I know, but I think I got away with it), but I am feeling proud of myself...

Sad thing is, they are black not yellow. I thought I wouldn't mind but Frank looks a bit less gay now and I think I might have to change his name to something a bit more manly.....
Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome

Comments

  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    linsen wrote:
    I have fitted some new tyres to my bike, saving £10 which the LBS wanted for doing it while I was at work...(which can obviously go in the kitty on Friday :D )

    I have no skin left on my thumbs, and I had to use a tyre lever to get it on (I know, I know, but I think I got away with it), but I am feeling proud of myself...

    Sad thing is, they are black not yellow. I thought I wouldn't mind but Frank looks a bit less gay now and I think I might have to change his name to something a bit more manly.....
    Good stuff.
    Some tyres have you howling at the moon in frustration trying to fit them, others are a doddle. You must have got the former :)
    I seem to remember fitting Conti GP 4 Seasons onto Aksiums was hard work but Conti Gatorskins on the same rims were easy :?
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    bontrager racelite tyres on racelite wheels - if I ever have to do that at the roadside I shall surely lose the will to live....
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Agreed. Conti GP4000s on Fulcrums 0's = Nightmare
    Conti GP4000S on Fulcrums 0's = Piece of p1ss
  • Jen J
    Jen J Posts: 1,054
    Well done, I wouldn't know where to start.

    I have yet to look at my Haynes book and work out what to do in the event of something as simple as getting a puncture :oops:
    Commuting: Giant Bowery 08
    Winter Hack: Triandrun Vento 3
    Madone

    It's all about me...
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    I had to saw my front tyre off the other week cuz I snapped all of my tyre levers not fun!

    The skin still hasnt healed properly on my knuckles :(
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    prawny wrote:
    I had to saw my front tyre off the other week cuz I snapped all of my tyre levers not fun!

    The skin still hasnt healed properly on my knuckles :(

    Something just doesn't seem right with this statement, given the relative ease of acquiring more tyre levels. Please elaborate, he asks in search of entertainment.
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    Linsen, well done :-) Don't you like the warm glow you get from fixing your own bike!
    As a few other people on her will testify tho the true test of tyre fitting for any wannabe cyclist is a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus's - they are an utter pain in the ar5e to fit!!!!

    They are quite sturdy and I was thankful my wee plastic levers held up to fitting them, also due to not paying attention I fitted one the wrong way so had to remove and refit the bugger!!!!
    Who's the daddy?
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    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Bassjunkieuk wrote:
    Linsen, well done :-) Don't you like the warm glow you get from fixing your own bike!
    As a few other people on her will testify tho the true test of tyre fitting for any wannabe cyclist is a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus's - they are an utter pain in the ar5e to fit!!!!

    They are quite sturdy and I was thankful my wee plastic levers held up to fitting them, also due to not paying attention I fitted one the wrong way so had to remove and refit the bugger!!!!

    Fitted one the wrong way? How would I know if I've done that? IS there a way and a wrong way? I have no skin left to do it again :?
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    there is no shame in using tyre levers to fit a tyre, thats what they are there for...
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    ah maybe but I was warned NOT to use them when putting the tyre back on in case it pinches the tube...
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • ansbaradigeidfran
    ansbaradigeidfran Posts: 526
    linsen wrote:
    Fitted one the wrong way? How would I know if I've done that? IS there a way and a wrong way? I have no skin left to do it again :?
    If they're treaded road tyres, the direction of the Vees on the tyre should push water out as the wheel rolls forward, not push it to the middle. Some expensive slicks may also have some highly technical reasons for doing it one way, and not the other.

    Oh, and if the tread's on the inside, then they ARE the wrong way round. ;)
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    yeah i guess but as long as you are careful then you'll be fine. some tires just wont go on without a bit of extra help
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    ansbaradigeidfran wrote:
    linsen wrote:
    Fitted one the wrong way? How would I know if I've done that? IS there a way and a wrong way? I have no skin left to do it again :?
    If they're treaded road tyres, the direction of the Vees on the tyre should push water out as the wheel rolls forward, not push it to the middle. Some expensive slicks may also have some highly technical reasons for doing it one way, and not the other.

    Oh, and if the tread's on the inside, then they ARE the wrong way round. ;)

    No evidence of tread - I think I must be okay :)
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • ansbaradigeidfran
    ansbaradigeidfran Posts: 526
    While on the topic of fitting new tyres, what do you do with the old ones? I've now got five sat in a corner of the garage, and am liable to acquire more as I fix up some more bikes.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    I was going to chuck em on the fire in the lounge




    :wink:
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    I've got a couple of spare tyres.............












    ....trouble is they are around my waist :(
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • m0scs
    m0scs Posts: 196
    Changing tyres yourself is one thing and well done for doing so.

    I found that a bit of fairy liquid on the edge of the tyre helps to slip them on, together with 14 tyre levers and a few F words. :D

    Dont make the mistake that I did in thinking that I could also tinker with my gears.

    Totally F*cked them up in no time at all. Luckily the nice people at my LBS sorted it for me, at a price :oops:
    Specialised Epic MTB on slicks.
    SPD clipless pedals: FCN 7
  • croggy
    croggy Posts: 116
    linsen wrote:
    Bassjunkieuk wrote:
    Linsen, well done :-) Don't you like the warm glow you get from fixing your own bike!
    As a few other people on her will testify tho the true test of tyre fitting for any wannabe cyclist is a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus's - they are an utter pain in the ar5e to fit!!!!

    They are quite sturdy and I was thankful my wee plastic levers held up to fitting them, also due to not paying attention I fitted one the wrong way so had to remove and refit the bugger!!!!

    Fitted one the wrong way? How would I know if I've done that? IS there a way and a wrong way? I have no skin left to do it again :?
    Some tyres have a "direction of rotation" on the sidewall.
    I've done 2000 miles on Conti Gatorskins fitted the "wrong" way and it doesn't seem to make a difference.
    Well done for fitting your tyres.Award yourself extra MTFU points and have a biscuit :D .
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    Jen J wrote:
    Well done, I wouldn't know where to start.

    I have yet to look at my Haynes book and work out what to do in the event of something as simple as getting a puncture :oops:

    That's shocking! I'd suggest no curry for JJ on Friday until you demonstrate the ability to change a tube, but fortunately for you I'm not willing to supervise. I suppose we could just do the theory, but as Linsen will attest, that's only half the fun.
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    As Croggy said some have rotational arrows on, the thing was a was sitting there looking at the tyres and "thought" I'd fitted em the right way but once they where on the bike I relised arrows are pointing wrong way :-(

    Still all good practice!
    Who's the daddy?
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    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • on-oneplus26
    on-oneplus26 Posts: 72
    Bonti rubber on bonti rims will be a tight fit if they are "tubless ready" (means you can run them with a special valve, sealent and no inner tube).

    I spent the best part of an hour fitting a set to my wifes MTB. Pedros do a big tyre leaver for DH bikes which I think might be a good buy - it has a yellow handle if that helps! :wink:
    Stuff I have designed
    www.muckynutz.com
  • Feltup
    Feltup Posts: 1,340
    A bit of fairy liquid and a Crank Brothers Speedlever makes tyre changing a lot easier.
    Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.

    Felt F55 - 2007
    Specialized Singlecross - 2008
    Marin Rift Zone - 1998
    Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali
  • Littigator
    Littigator Posts: 1,262
    linsen wrote:
    I have fitted some new tyres to my bike, saving £10 which the LBS wanted for doing it while I was at work...(which can obviously go in the kitty on Friday :D )

    I have no skin left on my thumbs, and I had to use a tyre lever to get it on (I know, I know, but I think I got away with it), but I am feeling proud of myself...

    Sad thing is, they are black not yellow. I thought I wouldn't mind but Frank looks a bit less gay now and I think I might have to change his name to something a bit more manly.....

    Stick a moustache on him and he'll be right as rain :D
    Roadie FCN: 3

    Fixed FCN: 6
  • girv73
    girv73 Posts: 842
    ansbaradigeidfran wrote:
    While on the topic of fitting new tyres, what do you do with the old ones? I've now got five sat in a corner of the garage

    That's exactly what you do with them :lol:
    Today is a good day to ride
  • Littigator
    Littigator Posts: 1,262
    jashburnham wrote:
    Agreed. Conti GP4000s on Fulcrums 0's = Nightmare
    Conti GP4000S on Fulcrums 0's = Piece of p1ss

    Am I missing something or are you just showing off twice that you've got Fulcrum 0s? :D
    Roadie FCN: 3

    Fixed FCN: 6
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I changed a choooob on my bike a while ago, it had the slowest puncture ever, where it would take about 3 days to go down. Due to my being very lazy I just pumped it back up again...

    Turned out it was a split in the seam of the tube. For some reason I kept the tube. :oops:

    Now, I have never had anything but the standard tyres that came with my bike - is it really worth changing? I don't get unscheduled deflations, I don't think they're wearing out enough that they need changing....

    Any good reason to change?
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Well, I changed mine because they were starting to perish along the sides and the profile was flat rather than rounded. I thought it better to change before puncture fairy came a- visiting.

    Famous last words, I know, butI haven't had a puncture on a bike of mine since I was 16.

    The children on the other hand seem to get one every time they go out for a ride!
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Littigator wrote:
    jashburnham wrote:
    Agreed. Conti GP4000s on Fulcrums 0's = Nightmare
    Conti GP4000S on Fulcrums 0's = Piece of p1ss

    Am I missing something or are you just showing off twice that you've got Fulcrum 0s? :D

    Me, show off? Never.
  • simon_ramsey
    simon_ramsey Posts: 116
    I can sympathise with you Linsen. I spent a couple of hours putting some slick tyres on an MTB as I was doing a charity ride on it. LBS sold me some tubes to fit the tyres that weren't the right size (to big) and they were a b*stard to get on. Got some tyres and tubes of the right size off the web for wife's bike and took 10mins. Have taken disk brakes apart and rebuilt them but gears just don't get it :?

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