Trouble fitting tyre onto wheel

squired

I know I've seen advice before, but the searches I've done haven't found an answer as yet. I got some new studded tyres today, for riding on icy roads. The problem is that for the first time in two decades of cycling I simply can't seem to get them onto the rim. Any tips on installing super tight tyres would be hugely appreciated.

weeksy59

squired wrote:

I know I've seen advice before, but the searches I've done haven't found an answer as yet. I got some new studded tyres today, for riding on icy roads. The problem is that for the first time in two decades of cycling I simply can't seem to get them onto the rim. Any tips on installing super tight tyres would be hugely appreciated.

Warm the rubber, cool the rims ?

Rubber will expand and be more pliable. Rims will shrink minimally with cold.

squired

It is about 5 degrees in the garage, so the rims are cool. I could stick the tyres against the radiator, but they do have a wire bead, which is probably making it more tricky.

stayhigh65

Try inflating an inner tube and leaving it in over night to shape the tyre. This has worked for me in the past with some UST tyres.

stomith

Take them back to LBS or send them back if you've tried:

Washing up liquid on the rim/tyre
Use metal tyre levers (strong ones - they do break)
Soften tyres in bowl hot/boiled water
Oil/grease the rim/tyre
Hit it - with a slipper.
Bite it. (growling helps too)
Call it names.
Find a fence...fling it over.

mcj78

+1 for a light coating of oil on the bead + swearing helps The only time i've ever experienced such a problem was using a pair of 1.5" Maxxis xenith slicks (and innertubes) on a pair of Crossmax USTs, but I thought that was because the tyres weren't UST jobs & the channel between the inner rim were narrower or summat.

Can you actually get any of the tyre on? I found if you manage to wrestle one side on then position the bead in the deepest section of the channel, it affords the other bead a bit more flexibility as the tyre isn't under any strain... if that makes any sense... if not, try this:

remove wheel, then remove shoes (don't laugh)

seat tyre bead on the bottom of the rim

stand with the wheel upright and at a right angle to your body

stand on the edge of the rim, position your big toes between the spokes for extra leverage - sounds daft, but works wonders & is impossible wearing shoes

grab hold of the tyre bead & use your arms, legs & lower back to stretch it onto the rim (the toes between the spokes method should ensure the wheel doesn't slip & become an interesting & permanent new hat)

repeat for other bead

8)