what a difference!!!!

Peanutt

Oh my goodness,

Changed my tyres last night from vintage michelin 25s to thinner new 23s that take more pressure, what difference, took off like a rocket, top speed is much higher and shaved 30 seconds off the morning commute.

On the subject of tyres why are they such a pig to fit, I managed to puncture two inner tubes just getting the flaming things on, then the valve broke, took me all evening, is there an easy way to get road tyres on?

bobtbuilder

Put a very small amount of air in the inner tube before putting the second side of the tyre on. It makes the tube slightly rounded and keeps it away from the edge of the rim where it can get pinched by the tyre being put on.

It shouldn't be too hard to get a tyre on using three tyre levers. Move the levers towards each other and then flip the last bit of tyre on. Don't leave the section with the valve until last.

It's even easier if someone holds one lever in place for you, which frees you up to work with the other 2.

Peanutt

I found sticking a lever under the edge of the sofa helped no end.

Slow Downcp

Tyre levers are designed to take tyres off, not put them back on - it's too easy to pinch a tube.

Put a bit of air in teh tube to start (just enough to keep it's shape under the tyre), and then work around the tyre. When you get to the last section, make sure the side of the tyre already fitted to the rim is pushed to the far side, and that the tube is snugly between tyre and rim. Then, let the air out of the tube, and use your thumbs to get the last small section of tyre back on.

softlad

30 seconds..? how long is your commute..??

ColinJ

Peanutt wrote:

I found sticking a lever under the edge of the sofa helped no end.

That might have something to do with why you are damaging so many tubes...

They can be pretty tough to get on. When I first started using 23s (many years ago) I had the same problem as you. If I didn't actually destroy the tubes when fitting the tyres, I did so much damage to them that they failed in the few days following that.

Eventually a more experienced cyclist told me that I was damaging the tubes with the tyre levers and/or pinching them with the beads of the tyres. He showed me how he could fit tyres without using tyre levers at all. I didn't have quite his finger strength so I had to very carefully use a lever to get the last little bit on. I can often do it these days without using a lever using the palm of my hand to roll the last bit on (wear gloves to avoid blisters!).

The trick of putting a little air in the tube helps to stop it getting pinched in the initial stages of fitting a tyre, but you may well have to let the air out to get the last bit of tyre on.

You have to be especially careful around the valve. I always start from there and work my way out (bothe ways) from there since it is the trickiest and most delicate bit to do. Make sure that the valve is in straight and push the valve body into the tyre when you are trying to fit the tyre in that area otherwise you are highly likely to pinch the tube.

Double check that you haven't pinched the tube as you inflate the tyre. I check how the tyre bead is seated on both sides of the rim, all the way round before going to full pressure. If you don't do this, you could well end up with a pinched tube leading to a loud bang!

Shezzer

ColinJ wrote:

I can often do it these days without using a lever using the palm of my hand to roll the last bit on (wear gloves to avoid blisters!)

It was a revelation when a friend showed me this trick. Because of a 'bad' combination of wheel and tyre on my training bike I always sruggled to refit the tyre without using steel levers. Using the 'roll the palm of your hand' technique I can now get the tyres on ... just about!!

Not had problems with blisters but would be worried about pinching my gloves between the rim and the tyre.

Takis61

I got a great tip on this forum - when putting the tyres on, sprinkle some talcum powder on - it made a huge difference.

a_n_t

Takis61 wrote:

I got a great tip on this forum - when putting the tyres on, sprinkle some talcum powder on - it made a huge difference.

Why? Were you getting sweaty?

John.T

Don't start at the valve. Start to fit the tyre opposite the valve and work round both sides towards it. Make sure the bead is well seated in the rim and roll the tyre on the last bit at the valve. Push the valve up into the tyre to ensure the bead seats.

ride_whenever

Doesn't matter where you start, if you can't get it on starting at the valve then you won't get it on the other way too easily.

The best way is to fit as much as you can the first time, then leave the bead to stretch slightly, then it will be easy to fit from thereon after...

PhilofCas

softlad wrote:

30 seconds..? how long is your commute..??

31

NervexProf

Get yourself one of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Crank ... 360019204/

removing and fitting tyres will become a 'doddle'

John.T

Doesn't matter where you start, if you can't get it on starting at the valve then you won't get it on the other way too easily.

It does matter. The valve stops the bead going down into the rim well properly. If you finish there this does not happen. I have not needed a lever to fit a tyre for years and can often remove them without using this method. Some are tighter than others though.

diarmuid

Another trick is once you are down to the hard to mount last few inches, squeeze the tire all the way around the wheel and try it again. It moves the tire bead to the center of the rim which , gives you another small bit of leeway.

giant_man

NervexProf wrote:

Get yourself one of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Crank ... 360019204/

removing and fitting tyres will become a 'doddle'

These are excellent and I do use mine on stubborn tyres. However, they can contribute to a pinch flat if you're not careful.