Mountain Biking - Ritchey Vantage Comp & Tire Fitting Problem

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
Stacey
12-28-06, 09:31 AM
I recently picked up an older hardtail fitted with 26" Ritchey Vantage Comp hoops. The rear tire was flat, so I started to bust the wheel down to replace the tube.

In the process I broke one of those plastis bell tire levers that you get at x-mart and two fingernails. It took three BEEFY screwdrivers to get the tire off. Trying to put the tire back on I broke three more nails and the tire isn't even close to going on!

Just for giggles, I tried to mount an old balloner tire and it too was way short of going on!

Is there a sizing issue whith these wheels that makes tire mounting a problem oe what? All input is welcome.

FYI ~ I've tried all the tricks and installation methods that I have in my repitore.

mlh122
12-28-06, 10:03 AM
some rims seem to be a millimeter or so bigger than other rims, and since the tire bead doesn't stretch much that can make the difference between an easy tire install and a difficult to impossible one. i had the same problem with my wife's wheels.
my solution was expensive tire levers, they are steel with a soft plastic coating and rubberize handle, they are also about 2" longer than regular levers. now they are still fairly difficult but just a little leverage and elbow grease and it's not really a problem anymore. and the rest of my tires are VERY easy with the new levers.
be careful with screwdrivers though, i has having a hard time with a tire on my dad's road bike and used a screwdriver and when i got done and filled it up... psss!!! i had poked a hole in the tube and had to start all over again
rea1high
12-28-06, 03:21 PM
some tires are just tight too!
i pinch puntured a tube in 7 places just trying to get a continental slick on.
i took it to my lbs where it took 3 guys to get it on in the end.

mlh122
12-28-06, 03:56 PM
i pinch puntured a tube in 7 places just trying to get a continental slick on.
i took it to my lbs where it took 3 guys to get it on in the end.

Dang! someone could make a lot of money by making a tire that goes on easier and comes off easier but only if you intend it to. is it possible for a tire that is very loose and goes on very easy to come off when in a tight corner? i would imagine not but if you have a big fat tire and its only got ~20-30psi in it i think it would definitely pull to the side a lot, any danger of it coming off?