constantly pinching tube when changing-help!

turbo1191
turbo1191 Posts: 501
edited May 2014 in Road general
Hey folks. ive had to fix a puncture recently, and while puting the tube back on the rim ive pinched the tube 3 times. Im running 23mm michelin prorace 3's..and im using plastic tyre levers to get the tyre back on as the tyre is so tight. what am i doing wrong? :?

Comments

  • esdel
    esdel Posts: 28
    Simples, stop using tyre levers, if your fingers are not strong enough, practice it, till you can do it.

    It won't take long
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    esdel wrote:
    Simples, stop using tyre levers, if your fingers are not strong enough, practice it, till you can do it.

    It won't take long

    This. It can also help to squeeze the tyre that has mounted towards the centre of the tyre bed all the way around, as you work on the tough bit.
  • patrickf
    patrickf Posts: 536
    As above, no tyre levers and make sure you have enough air in the tube to give it good shape. Then also make sure you push the tube into the rim before mounting the tyre.

    Spa Cycles have a decent video showing good technique - though I manage without straps.

    It's going to annoy you for a while and you'll swear a lot, but once you've got the technique it's easy.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Gatorskins, very tight rims and arthritic fingers here... Wrestled with this the other day and had to call for missus backup. Is there a plan B?
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    I only need levers for wire beaded tyres like Gators and Snow Studs.
    Get folding tyres and the risk of a pinch is minimised
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • JackPozzi
    JackPozzi Posts: 1,191
    Something like this is useful if it really is a tight tyre/wheel combination that you can't do with thumbs alone, much less chance of pinching than tyre levers.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -11-44397/
  • iron-clover
    iron-clover Posts: 737
    I have used tyre levers plenty of times out of desperation, but have never had a pinch flat from doing so.

    First off, put a little air in the tube to give it shape, and then feed it onto the tyre (one side of the tyre already on the rim) and make sure it's seated fully in the rim- you'll probably need to use your palms to roll some of it over the edge of the rim as if you're putting a tyre back on.

    Once it's seated, start putting the other side of the tyre back on. Work round so you get the valve area seated first (making sure the valve is not trapped by the tyre- you should be able to push it in freely after the tyre is on) and work your way round until it gets properly hard to do. Let some air out of the tube and get a little more on.

    Once I'm bored of that/ have bleeding thumbs, I stick a lever in between the rim and the seated tyre and pull towards the unfinished bit, which helps to lever the tyre over the rim whilst your other hand still tries to roll the tyre over the rim. If even that fails, then I use the levers in the opposite way to getting the tyre off in the first place.

    Once the tyre is on, roll the wheel along the ground whilst applying pressure to deform the tyre. You should see a symetrical amount of bulging either side of the rim. Go all the way round, and this should get rid of any pinching. Inflate to ~20psi and check to make sure everything is seated properly and no bulging etc. If you're happy, only then inflate to full pressure.
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    The tip is to make sure the bead of the first rim is stilling in the 'well' of the rim - the dip where the spoke nipples are - not the edge. That will effectively make the rim a little smaller. Inflate the tube a little - your lungs will do - put in and then roll in the other bead. Again, make sure the bead is going right into the well and the tube is being caught up inside the tyre.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    As above^

    Never had a problem if used levers to get a tyre on.
    Are you sure its not just the tube getting pinched between tyre and rim regardless of how tyre was put on?
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    Also, try putting loads of talc in the tyre first too. Helps things slip about and not as messy as soapy water.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I never bother pre-inflating. Just gives you a little bit more room. You have to check that the tube isn't stuck under the bead once you've got it on.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    Either use a Var tyre lever http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/var-tyre-levers-prod27539/

    or the shoe trick http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic ... #msg511847
    Audaxing Blog - Long Distance Cycling
    follow on twitter-c.png
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    Never not used tyre levers, never pinched the tube...its easy :o
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Have you thought of moving to tubeless tyres?
    left the forum March 2023
  • turbo1191
    turbo1191 Posts: 501
    Thanks guys, the VAR tyre tool looks useful..Lots of other good tips there as well!
  • tuneskyline
    tuneskyline Posts: 370
    Have you checked for a small mouse in the down tube?

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