Tyre fitting ...
Discussion
Had a problem with a tyre a couple of nights back - must have got some glass in the rubber, it sliced it open, so picked up a new tyre and tube on the way back to the train.
The tyres are Bontrager Race Lights (I think), and actually fitting them to the wheel was an absolute nightmare - with the help of another cyclist on the train, managed to get it on, but pinched the darned tube in the process of putting on the tyre (meaning I had to walk home with the bike in tow).
Took the wheel to a local independent, they fitted the tyre with a new tube no probs.
So ... how the hell do you fit these tyres? The inner edge is so inflexible, it seemed to take a huge amount of effort to get them fitted. Tyre levers just seemed to get in the way, and I thought my grip was quite good, but obviously not up to the job of fitting by hand.
The tyres are Bontrager Race Lights (I think), and actually fitting them to the wheel was an absolute nightmare - with the help of another cyclist on the train, managed to get it on, but pinched the darned tube in the process of putting on the tyre (meaning I had to walk home with the bike in tow).
Took the wheel to a local independent, they fitted the tyre with a new tube no probs.
So ... how the hell do you fit these tyres? The inner edge is so inflexible, it seemed to take a huge amount of effort to get them fitted. Tyre levers just seemed to get in the way, and I thought my grip was quite good, but obviously not up to the job of fitting by hand.
The Schwalbes I have on my commuter bike are a pig to get on and off - tyre levers are the only way. A bit of washing up liquid on the bead can help, though. Tip for avoiding pinching the tube is to partially inflate it before trying to fit the tyre - tends to keep it away from the bead/rim interface whilst you're giving it some welly...
Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 27th September 09:54
I was hoping to get a tube with the Slime stuff in, or possibly squirt some slime in ...
But the shop didn't have any 700x32 with slime, and lord knows how you get the valve off a presta to squirt the stuff in.
One things for sure - wasn't impressed by the way the tyre got sliced open. Triple protection? Doesn't seem likely.
But the shop didn't have any 700x32 with slime, and lord knows how you get the valve off a presta to squirt the stuff in.
One things for sure - wasn't impressed by the way the tyre got sliced open. Triple protection? Doesn't seem likely.
Three of us spent the best part of a morning trying to get new Nobby Nic UST's on my Crossmax rims a few months ago, plenty of swear words and a fair bit of Fairy before we managed it. To add insult to injury, both wheels are sitting in the garage with puntures at the minute, i'll probably take them to my LBS this time though. Damn things.
Edited by WildCards on Thursday 27th September 16:47
UST tyres are a pig as they sit so tight on the rim.
In contrast to what people have said here my Schwalbe Racing Ralphs are a piece of piss to fit, you dont even need a tyre lever!
The worst Ive used before were 2.5" Dual Ply Maxxix Minions they are another of the "hour long" tyres!
In contrast to what people have said here my Schwalbe Racing Ralphs are a piece of piss to fit, you dont even need a tyre lever!
The worst Ive used before were 2.5" Dual Ply Maxxix Minions they are another of the "hour long" tyres!
There's a knack to fitting tyres 
One of my riding mates is a mechanic and can fit any tyre with his hands. We all thought he was some sort of loony superman but he showed me how.
1) Fit one side of the tyre inside the rim. This is relatively easy to do.
2) Fit the innertube and inflate slightly. Just enough to keep the innertube from getting a pinch flat.
3) (the clever bit) Seat the tyre at the OPPOSITE side to the valve first. This is the trick as I'd always assumed it didn't matter where you started.
4) Seat the tyre around leaving the bit of tyre near the valve the last bit to fit.
5) Back at the other side, opposite the valve, move the tyre so it sits in the centre of the rim, not on the outside edge. This moves the tyre ever so slightly nearer the centre of the wheel, and thus gives you a tiny extra bit of movement near the valve to pop the tyre over the rim.
Try it, makes life sooo much easier
One of my riding mates is a mechanic and can fit any tyre with his hands. We all thought he was some sort of loony superman but he showed me how.
1) Fit one side of the tyre inside the rim. This is relatively easy to do.
2) Fit the innertube and inflate slightly. Just enough to keep the innertube from getting a pinch flat.
3) (the clever bit) Seat the tyre at the OPPOSITE side to the valve first. This is the trick as I'd always assumed it didn't matter where you started.
4) Seat the tyre around leaving the bit of tyre near the valve the last bit to fit.
5) Back at the other side, opposite the valve, move the tyre so it sits in the centre of the rim, not on the outside edge. This moves the tyre ever so slightly nearer the centre of the wheel, and thus gives you a tiny extra bit of movement near the valve to pop the tyre over the rim.
Try it, makes life sooo much easier
The crank brothers speedlever is your friend:
http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php
It also comes with a lifetime warranty so if it breaks (as mine did), they'll send you a new one for free!
http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php
It also comes with a lifetime warranty so if it breaks (as mine did), they'll send you a new one for free!
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