Schwalbe Durano too tight to fit

jerry3571

Hi, Just asking for a little advice. I have bought a new set of Durano 700 by 23c tyres. They are beaded. I got them on with a struggle but broke two tyre levers in the process. I had Durano 25c before and have had 23c before but can't remember this titanic struggle. I'd have never got them on or off if I had a puncture. Does the bead make it a harder job to get on the rim? Any help please

cooldad

Aren't all tyres beaded?

dwanes

cooldad wrote:

Aren't all tyres beaded?

Think the OP is referring to rigid wire bead as oppose to Folding bead.
Folding beads are generally easier to fit. Tubeless compatable rims can often make things even tighter.

daniel_b

Unlucky :-(

I have not fitted a rigid tyre for a while, but my method with new tyres of any sort is to put them on a wheel, 95% of the way around, and leave it in that strteched position for a day or more, and this certainly seems to help with the eventual fitment.

For me, that has been the magic bullet, as I used to be utter crap at fitting tyres.
Occasionally I can even get one on without levers, think I even got a folding Durano plus on that way, along with the 'pushing the tyre down into the central well to gain more room to work' method.

Secteur

https://youtu.be/88MVtTIH4us?t=3s

Sorry, no idea how to embed the video here, but I bookmarked this video after someone posted it here.

Unsuprisingly, "tight tyre" threads seem to come up weekly here, so I am sure a quick forum search will be rewarding.

Anyway, the technique in the video made a big difference to me.

Breaking 2 tyre levers = you're doing something wrong!

jerry3571

Hi
Seems a bit odd to do something wrong after 30 years of riding. I think the above contributor has something when they say to leave it for a day or two to stretch the tire. The tyre which remained on the wheel for a few days, was quite a bit easier to take off than I imagined so stretching seemed to happen.
I have bought some alloy and campag type levers now so hope this may help.
On club rides, I'm the one who they listen to after they screwed it up a few times so I'm not a newbie at this.
It is an odd thing that some tyres slip on with the hand and others are so damn difficult. For a standard 700c wheel, it seems crazy there's this variation.

meanredspider

A night in the airing cupboard or somewhere warm will help too.

bbrap

meanredspider wrote:

A night in the airing cupboard or somewhere warm will help too.

Yep, this. I feel strong as an ox after a night in the airing cupboard. I recon I could change a motorcycle tyre with my bare hands

jerry3571

I ended up replacing the beaded tires for folded and they went on real easy. Hmmm... :?
Bonkers Conkers!
I once had a high speed front blow out at 44mph once and the tire worked its way off the wheel so I skated on my aluminum rims for a few yards before going splat. Got a hunch if the tight tires (schwalbe beaded) were on at that time then I might have stayed on the bike until I pulled up to a stop. Might have saved two weeks off work. :evil: