Winter Tyres On - Eventually!

seajays

Well, given the ice in the mornings last week, and the forecast here for more ice and even snow this week I thought it was time to put my winter tyres on.

Note: I had not had to do anything with the tyres at all since I started commuting (and cycling!) in June.

How hard can it be I thought. So two hours and one broken tyre lever later I finally managed to get my new tyres on.

It took me ages to first get the tyre off (being a bit scared of breaking the plastic tyre lever - which I eventually did). And then when I put the new one on, at first I though "this seems a bit big - have I got the right size?", before getting to the last bit, and then thinking this is never in a million years going to go on there.

Eventually I looked up a video on youtube... where it was cleverly pointed out to make sure you get the bead in the groove of the tyre to give you the extra space you need. :oops: Lo and behold... it went on real easy after that! So first tyre an hour and a half, then second about 20 minutes.

At least they're on now. And I've learned how to sort the tyres.

daniel_b

I seemingly always have problems getting new tyres on, my usual count is 2 wrecked tubes for each pair of tyres :-(

At the mo I am still on Shimano wheels, 500/550's etc, but will soon be swapping to Mavic's - not sure if these are easier or not.

It does seem that the tyres stretch, so what I need to try and remember to do is to bung the tyres on a spare set of wheels, and leave them there for a week or so, and I think that will make them easier to fit.

For example changing a tyre on my SS just this week - when I fitted the Michelin tyres it cost me 2 tubes, and required a gargantuan effort to get the tyre home, using metal levers - this time I was able to get it on just with my hands, so I do not the 'roll on' technique, but new tyres never seem to have the give required.

Is there any other method - soak them in hot water/leave them on a radiator or something?

Kieran_Burns

How the heck are you wrecking tubes? You know that you should put a small (tiny) amount of air in the tube to give it shape? That really helps with not pinching them while putting the tyre on.

markhewitt1978

Depends on the tyres concerned I think. I run RS10's which I guess will be the same as R500? GP4 Seaons are always a very tight fit, but GP4000S just push on without much effort at all.

dhope

Also, levers only to get the tyre off

DrLex

dhope wrote:

Also, levers only to get the tyre off

Certainly true for the 26" Marathon Winters on the hack bike; swapped both in ten minutes on Saturday morning & just pulled them on. All about getting the bead sitting in the rim.

daniel_b

Kieran_Burns wrote:

How the heck are you wrecking tubes? You know that you should put a small (tiny) amount of air in the tube to give it shape? That really helps with not pinching them while putting the tyre on.

Agreed, it's a right pita - but yes I always put a bit of air in, but the problem I get is when I am near the end of getting the typre on, say the last 10%, the side of the tyre that is in the rim is so tight, that it is pulled right across to the side I am trying to get on, so the tube is forced out as there is simply no room at the inn.

Then in desperation/frustration at not being able to roll the tyre over I initiate metal tyre levers, and probably 50% of the time pinch the tube between the rim and the tyre - job done!

*This will be why I buy my tubes in BULK from Ribble!

seajays

It was this video which eventually helped me! (Although I didn't bother with the tie wrap things).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

daniel_b

Seajays wrote:

It was this video which eventually helped me! (Although I didn't bother with the tie wrap things).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

Thanks SJ, I'l try some of that next time - I don't tend to have a problem that would necessitate the tie wraps either, good tip though if you do.

So when he is pushing the tyre into the wheel and out of the groove (To gain more leeway), is that on both sides as you understood it, or just one of the sides?
I couldn't quite tell, but I would imagine both sides.........?

seajays

Daniel B wrote:

Seajays wrote:

It was this video which eventually helped me! (Although I didn't bother with the tie wrap things).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

So when he is pushing the tyre into the wheel and out of the groove (To gain more leeway), is that on both sides as you understood it, or just one of the sides?
I couldn't quite tell, but I would imagine both sides.........?

I squeezed the side of the tyre I was having trouble with into the centre channel of the rim all the way round starting at the opposite side to the part I couldn't get on - after that it was really easy to get the last bit on. It gives that bit extra leeway that you can't do otherwise!

andrewc3142

Also, don't even need levers to get the tyre off

FTFY

roger_merriman

andrewc3142 wrote:

Also, don't even need levers to get the tyre off

FTFY

To be honest i rarely use levers if at all, be that Marathon pluses thin or wide MTB or road.

a touch of air in the tube, feed the tyre into the rim on one side and then the other, normally not long enough for Tea to have brewed...

rhodrich

Don't worry - there won't be any snow or ice this winter, as I've just bought a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Winters.....

bigmonka

Daniel B wrote:

Is there any other method - soak them in hot water/leave them on a radiator or something?

Yep warmth definitely helps. Last year I was really struggling get the marathon winter's on in the cold garage so I brough them inside in front of the log burner and it made it much much easier (and more comfortable too, as long as you don't get mud/oil anywhere in the house and end up with an earful from your wife). Hanging on the radiator beforehand works too, but again make sure they're clean!

Initialised

Rhodrich wrote:

Don't worry - there won't be any snow or ice this winter, as I've just bought a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Winters.....

I put my Studs on on Sunday and cancelled the snow.

I was surprised to find any. But there was just enough to justify my tyre choice: