noob p@ncture question

ubiquitous
ubiquitous Posts: 60
edited May 2010 in Road beginners
i've been cycling for years but had my first visit from the fairy on my road bike. I've repaired the puncture fine but every time i've tried to get the tyre back on the wheel i've caused a pinch flat with the tyre irons. Any tips on how to avoid this?

Comments

  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    Put a little air in the tube prior to re-fitting the tyre - may help avoid the pinch issues!
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    As above plus try to get the tyre bead sitting in the deepest part of the rim all the way round.
    Use talc or washing up liquid to help the last bit over the rim.
    Try to do it only with your hands not tyre levers :D
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Ideally you shouldn't use the levers at all to get the tyre back on. Try forcing it with your fingers 1st and only use the levers in an emergency
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • ubiquitous
    ubiquitous Posts: 60
    OK....... HTF do you manage to get the tyre on the wheel with bare hands? I've ended up with friction burns, I just don't have the strength!!! I cheated in the end and used irons. Hopefully I didn't nick the tube.
  • ubiquitous
    ubiquitous Posts: 60
    OK....... HTF do you manage to get the tyre on the wheel with bare hands? I've ended up with friction burns, I just don't have the strength!!! I cheated in the end and used irons. Hopefully I didn't nick the tube.
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    ubiquitous wrote:
    HTF do you manage to get the tyre on the wheel with bare hands?

    Partially inflate the tube with a small amount of air and then make sure it's in the centre of the tyre. Make sure the valve is free by poking through and then get the tyre on working away from the valve and when you have all but the last 200 mm of tyre on let out the air from the tube making sure the valve is still free and push the remainder on the tyre over the rim with hands only. Practice makes perfect. :wink:
  • morstar
    morstar Posts: 6,190
    ubiquitous wrote:
    OK....... HTF do you manage to get the tyre on the wheel with bare hands? I've ended up with friction burns, I just don't have the strength!!! I cheated in the end and used irons. Hopefully I didn't nick the tube.
    Most tyres can be done by hand but not all. Don't despair if you really can't do it by hand. Last time I changed the tyres on my commuter I broke the plastic tyre levers I was trying to use. Had to dig out metal ones. That bike hasn't punctured since but I fear the day it does.
    As said by others; partially inflate the tube and get as much done by hand as possible. You should only have 6-8 inches at most to lever on.
    Put tyre lever in middle of remaining section and just tease it under the tyre where there is most give. Wiggle it gently along to where the tyre is almost mounted and you can gently ease over little bits where the tube is well out of the way.
    If you just aim for the middle and try and force the tyre on your lever is operating right next to the tube where it is pulled close to the rim. You also need a lot more force.

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