Southern California - Tire irons or hands to change a tire?

I'm just curious how many people use tools to change tires and how many just use their hands.

Thanks Jason!

Hands here.

Tire irons for getting a tire off the rim. Hands for getting a tire on. Except the last time, when that simply wasn't happening and I finally resorted to using tire irons to help me out.

I use my hands but there is NOTHING wrong with using tools if used properly. It is not fair to imply that if one uses tools they are somehow doing something wrong.

I don't use tire irons. I use tire plastics, er, levers. :p

Because my hands are just wussy like that. :roflmao:

I use my hands but there is NOTHING wrong with using tools if used properly. It is not fair to imply that if one uses tools they are somehow doing something wrong.

I just reread the poll and I can't find the part where I said that.

When I say "hand" I really mean "hands".:o
Fixed it for you.

Tire levers to take the tire off only. I had to use it once to get the tire back on only to hold the bead in via friction b/c it kept popping back out.

I just reread the poll and I can't find the part where I said that.

That is because it is in another thread

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=4547175#post4547175

Also, I used the word 'imply. But it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with your posts. It is just there is a prevailing attitude among some that if one uses a tool that they are somehow inadequate.

The poll doesn't have a "use new wheel from support vehicle" option.

Tire levers to take the tire off only. I had to use it once to get the tire back on only to hold the bead in via friction b/c it kept popping back out.
+1 , especially if the tire is so stubborn to come off. One time, I even broke a tire lever.

I could use my hands for my old Conti GP 3000's, but I normally run heavier flat resistant tires (armadillo/gatorskins) and on those I have to use tire irons.

I always use the levers to get the tire off. Can do it with my hands but why? Don't use them to reinstall.

But the tire rim combo makes a difference. I had one combo where I could barely get the tire off while using the tools. Took about 45 minutes with tools . I'd be willing to bet nobody could have done that one with hands only!:D

That is because it is in another thread

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=4547175#post4547175

Also, I used the word 'imply. But it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with your posts. It is just there is a prevailing attitude among some that if one uses a tool that they are somehow inadequate.


You are in fact correct, I don't feel that using tire "plastics" is the best way to change tires and only introduces just one more way of ruining your ride, but I was trying to keep my feelings out of this thread. I think that using the proper method, most everyone can change tires with their hands only (I taught my sister how) and I don't mean to imply those that can't are something "less" of a person/rider. I have run into one tire I couldn't change, a Continental tire of some kind.

You are in fact correct, I don't feel that using tire "plastics" is the best way to change tires and only introduces just one more way of ruining your ride, but I was trying to keep my feelings out of this thread. I think that using the proper method, most everyone can change tires with their hands only (I taught my sister how) and I don't mean to imply those that can't are something "less" of a person/rider. I have run into one tire I couldn't change, a Continental tire of some kind.

I use a lever both ways on Continentals on Campy rims. Tough stuff for me. (they seem to lack the center channel) But I usually use Mavics and tires fly off and on them without tools.

I use a lever both ways on Continentals on Campy rims. Tough stuff for me. (they seem to lack the center channel) But I usually use Mavics and tires fly off and on them without tools.

The Conties I couldn't get off were on Mavic Elite rims. I asked my buddy to buy new tires.

MTB tires are easier to get off them some of the roadie tires. But most of the time I can get it off with my hands.

The Conties I couldn't get off were on Mavic Elite rims. I asked my buddy to buy new tires.

Interesting, some combinations are just hard like that.

I can sometimes get the tires off without irons but generally I use them to get the tire off and then I can replace the tire without them.

When I used the Continental Gran Prixs, didn't need irons at all. They were like "butta"! Now that I use Gatorskins, a stiffer, heavier tire, it takes alittle more effort.

I've never had expensive rims - just Bontrager Race Xlites and Mavic Cosmos. Neither rim appears to cause any problems.

MTB tires I usually am OK without any irons.

I use them to get tires off and on. I normally try to use my hands first when putting them on, but most of the time I give up due to lack of time (don't want others to wait too long) or too much effort (hands turning all red).

The only times when I try my best to avoid tire lever is if I'm helping someone else, and they don't want it to be used.

I just throw the entire wheel away and buy a new one...
oh crap..that was a dream....

You are in fact correct, I don't feel that using tire "plastics" is the best way to change tires and only introduces just one more way of ruining your ride, but I was trying to keep my feelings out of this thread. I think that using the proper method, most everyone can change tires with their hands only (I taught my sister how) and I don't mean to imply those that can't are something "less" of a person/rider. I have run into one tire I couldn't change, a Continental tire of some kind.

I believe you actually threw your hands up in exasperation on that one...

I believe you actually threw your hands up in exasperation on that one...

I use what ever it takes to get the job done, be it hands, levers,....or Ralph :roflmao:

I use what ever it takes to get the job done, be it hands, levers,....or Ralph :roflmao:

But you did, if you remember, buy new tires!:)

Get back to work.

But you did, if you remember, buy new tires!:)

Aye, the only reason the damn Continental was on my bike in the first place was I could not find Armadillos at the time. I have since found them and they are my preferred tires...and are not exactly the easiest things to get off the Mavic Elite wheels.

But you did, if you remember, buy new tires!:)

Get back to work.

Lol...pot calling the kettle black! I perused the forums last night and discovered that apparently you DON'T work...just post all day in the forums! Noticed that about a few peeps actually...decided I'd give it a try and see how it feels :P

Lol...pot calling the kettle black! I perused the forums last night and discovered that apparently you DON'T work...just post all day in the forums! Noticed that about a few peeps actually...decided I'd give it a try and see how it feels :P:D :D


I log in in the mornings and stay on all day, I only look here when I have breaks though, like when I'm rendering and that can take a couple of minutes or when it's real slow (like today).:D

I pretty much always use them to take tires off. When putting tires back on, I usually can only use hands, but sometimes I give in and use an iron. MTB tires I go hands only.

?No mas?

After trying to install another set of Vittoria open tubulars tonight, I may be a convert to using tire irons by default to put tires on. I just cannot get them on otherwise. And yes, I pinch tubes like crazy in the process. I have to carefully unpinch them before inflating.

i work in a bike shop. the following might sound sexist, but oh well.

when many women come in to get tires changed, I'll ask if they've changed many tires, and often do a 'mini-seminar' about changing tires, to empower them how to change their own tires in the future, showing them the tricks and techniques to make it easier how to change tires, with tire levers.

guys that come in and shove a rim in my face and demand a flat change i'll use the hands-only technique to make them feel inadequate.

(I've shown plenty of guys how to change flats too, but i'm definetly more inclined to show the women how to do it themselves.)

After trying to install another set of Vittoria open tubulars tonight, I may be a convert to using tire irons by default to put tires on. I just cannot get them on otherwise. And yes, I pinch tubes like crazy in the process. I have to carefully unpinch them before inflating.

Hey Jason,

If I understand what you're saying, then it's too late, the damage has been done...the tube is pinched. You do put enough air in the tube to keep it tubular don't you; I usually fill the tube up with my lungs first and that seem to put enough air in the tube to keep it where it belongs while installing the tire.

i work in a bike shop. the following might sound sexist, but oh well.

when many women come in to get tires changed, I'll ask if they've changed many tires, and often do a 'mini-seminar' about changing tires, to empower them how to change their own tires in the future, showing them the tricks and techniques to make it easier how to change tires, with tire levers.

guys that come in and shove a rim in my face and demand a flat change i'll use the hands-only technique to make them feel inadequate.

(I've shown plenty of guys how to change flats too, but i'm definetly more inclined to show the women how to do it themselves.)

When I'm on a ride and someone flats, I always volunteer to change the tire for them. It's good practice and I enjoy doing it, and it's better than getting frustrated watching someone else either take forever, do it a couple of times to get it right or get that "pinch flat" in a couple of miles. I'm not trying to be superior or anything, I really do enjoy doing it.

Hey Jason,

If I understand what you're saying, then it's too late, the damage has been done...the tube is pinched. You do put enough air in the tube to keep it tubular don't you; I usually fill the tube up with my lungs first and that seem to put enough air in the tube to keep it where it belongs while installing the tire.
I'm getting the tube a bit stuck under the tire at times as I force the last bits of the tire on with tire irons. (Which turns out to be a lot of the tire since it keeps slipping until the whole thing's on.) But able to gently coax it out from under the tire. When I did this a few weeks ago, the tubes survived unscathed, holding air as well as always.

I know I'm supposed to put a bit of air in the tube first, but I've always been too lazy to do so. With other tires, it's no big deal, but I'm starting to suspect that getting the Vittorias on might be a bit easier if I had taken that step first.

I'm getting the tube a bit stuck under the tire at times as I force the last bits of the tire on with tire irons. (Which turns out to be a lot of the tire since it keeps slipping until the whole thing's on.) But able to gently coax it out from under the tire. When I did this a few weeks ago, the tubes survived unscathed, holding air as well as always.

I know I'm supposed to put a bit of air in the tube first, but I've always been too lazy to do so. With other tires, it's no big deal, but I'm starting to suspect that getting the Vittorias on might be a bit easier if I had taken that step first.


The tubes can be a little delicate and tear easily, so if you're getting the tube stuck in between the tire and rim, there's a good chance you're damanging the tube, plus air in the tube makes the job much easier to do and will help prevent pinching the tube.

Yeah, I think I should get a tiny bit of air in the tubes first next time. I always knew I should, but I got out of the habit of doing so since it made no difference with most tires while mounting them by hand.

Yeah, I think I should get a tiny bit of air in the tubes first next time. I always knew I should, but I got out of the habit of doing so since it made no difference with most tires while mounting them by hand.

Ummmm, by blowing up the tire some, it will keep the tube round and push it toward the outside of the tire and away from the rim, helping to prevent pinch flats.:)

I've always thought that levers were for taking the tire off. Using them to put the tire on often results in pinching the tube with the lever and cutting the tube. I had ,like Thompson, Campy rims that were impossible to mount tires on. It took all my strength to roll a tire on the last part. Many times I resorted to levers only to have to start over with another tube. Don't have those rims anymore ,end of problem. Another trick learned from the SFVBC is if you must use levers to mount a tire finish at the valve stem. You can push the tube up into the tire and away from the rim a little making it easier to get the lever in there without pinching the tube. The club has a maintenance clinic before each meeting led by a grizzeled vet of the road that covers many of the small repairs that we can do ourselves. Those guys know their stuff.

you mean tire levers?

I use them to put the tire off and on, never had a single issue putting them back on with it.

Had over 50 flats at least, not a single issue.

Tire levers > hands

i work in a bike shop. the following might sound sexist, but oh well.

when many women come in to get tires changed, I'll ask if they've changed many tires, and often do a 'mini-seminar' about changing tires, to empower them how to change their own tires in the future, showing them the tricks and techniques to make it easier how to change tires, with tire levers.

guys that come in and shove a rim in my face and demand a flat change i'll use the hands-only technique to make them feel inadequate.

(I've shown plenty of guys how to change flats too, but i'm definetly more inclined to show the women how to do it themselves.)


That's too funny!

Actually nothing more ego deflating to a guy then a gal like me comes along - the guy has been struggling to change the tire, I offer and have it repaired in 5 minutes. On one MTB ride I did the husband got a flat. He stopped, pulled out his spare and handed it to his wife who proceeded to change the tire (in quick time I may add). He turned to me and said "That's why I married her!" He said it with love so I wasn't offended!

Had over 50 flats at least, not a single issue.

Tire levers > hands

I really hate to say this, but you've stated that you've had 50 flats in, how many miles, months of riding??? I've not had 50 flats in a lifetime of riding.

Sounds to me like you do in fact have an issue with pinched tubes.

Now go ahead and go ovo.

I really hate to say this, but you've stated that you've had 50 flats in, how many miles, months of riding??? I've not had 50 flats in a lifetime of riding.

Sounds to me like you do in fact have an issue with pinched tubes.

Now go ahead and go ovo.

where do you ride? Without comparing streets this argument is absolutely moronic. In about 3 years, at least 10k miles? I don't know I dont keep a GRAMIN ULTRA PRO 3000 EXTREME DELUX WITH TOPOGRAPHICAL DATA, SATTELITE IMAGERY AND WIRELESS CONNECTION TO THE HUBBLE TELESCOPE computer so I dont really keep track of alot of the miles and such.

I ride plenty and I havent had flats in the last few months(not many) because I've been riding more cautiously.

I know what pinch flats are, trust me I dont get them.

go where? I luv this forum with all my heart :D

50 flats is a lot. When you have a flat, do you keep track of which tube has the hole and which tube is new?

A trick someone showed me once when installing a tire is to cup your fingers over the tire and use the top of your palm, where the calluses are, instead of your thumbs to push the tire on. Works with some tires; the Gatorskins I have on now still need the assistance of a lever.

I use those big yellow Pedro's levers now but I have a regular set of the skinny ones that I bought in '83 around somewhere.

where do you ride? Without comparing streets this argument is absolutely moronic. In about 3 years, at least 10k miles? I don't know I dont keep a GRAMIN ULTRA PRO 3000 EXTREME DELUX WITH TOPOGRAPHICAL DATA, SATTELITE IMAGERY AND WIRELESS CONNECTION TO THE HUBBLE TELESCOPE computer so I dont really keep track of alot of the miles and such.

I ride plenty and I havent had flats in the last few months(not many) because I've been riding more cautiously.

I know what pinch flats are, trust me I dont get them.

go where? I luv this forum with all my heart :D

I can understand not wanting a compute on your bike, your choice, but you can't then state that you have so and so many miles with any certainty...so you're right, you don't know.

I was NOT telling you to go anywhere, you're much to fun to watch. I was telling you that you can now "go off" like you did. The slightest things set you off and I was giving you permission to do so.:D

Ovo, don't take everything so much to heart, I, like so many others here just like to see you go bananas all the time.

Relax and take a deep breath.:)

50 flats you say? Did you know that 50 flats in your "10,000 miles" is a flat every 200 miles!!!

I use tire levers almost all the time too, and haven't experienced any pinch flats. I just think the effort required to get a tire on by hand most of the time is a bit too much compared to using the levers. I've encountered some "easy" tires, but most of the time, my hands are all red and fingers a little sore from rubbing on the tire and squeezing some extra space to get it mounted.

where do you ride? Without comparing streets this argument is absolutely moronic. In about 3 years, at least 10k miles? I don't know I dont keep a GRAMIN ULTRA PRO 3000 EXTREME DELUX WITH TOPOGRAPHICAL DATA, SATTELITE IMAGERY AND WIRELESS CONNECTION TO THE HUBBLE TELESCOPE computer so I dont really keep track of alot of the miles and such.

I ride plenty and I havent had flats in the last few months(not many) because I've been riding more cautiously.

I know what pinch flats are, trust me I dont get them.

go where? I luv this forum with all my heart :D

:roflmao: Now THAT's a tricked out computer :roflmao:

I can understand not wanting a compute on your bike, your choice, but you can't then state that you have so and so many miles with any certainty...so you're right, you don't know.

I was NOT telling you to go anywhere, you're much to fun to watch. I was telling you that you can now "go off" like you did. The slightest things set you off and I was giving you permission to do so.:D

Ovo, don't take everything so much to heart, I, like so many others here just like to see you go bananas all the time.

Relax and take a deep breath.:)

50 flats you say? Did you know that 50 flats in your "10,000 miles" is a flat every 200 miles!!!

Oh don't worry because I wasn't leaving. If I'm not the honorary troll of these forums then who knows what kind of chaos we would be in.

I have an Astrale 8, actually 3 Astrales. 1 I left somewhere which had about 2500 maybe 3500 miles on it, another one which is on my old Univega which has about 3000 miles and just recently I hit about 3010 miles on this new Astrale so ya I'm guessing about 10k miles? Again I dont really care about miles and a few rides(the SantaBarbara ride included) I did not bring my computer with me. Sometimes it's very peaceful riding without a computer.

I sometime sgot flats every other day because of crappy roads and/or tires.

I don't ever use CO2 Either(I started recently but still I mostly use the pump) so I have plenty of annoying experiences on the side of the road pumping and crap.

I've never had an issue with tire levers and I use them all the time. I don't even know how you guys get the tires on without them. Sometimes I can barely get it on with the damn lever itself(gettting the tire on the rim).

AND IM RAGING NOW, OMG EVERYONE BURN IN RIGHTEOUS FIRE!!

Oh don't worry because I wasn't leaving. If I'm not the honorary troll of these forums then who knows what kind of chaos we would be in.

I have an Astrale 8, actually 3 Astrales. 1 I left somewhere which had about 2500 maybe 3500 miles on it, another one which is on my old Univega which has about 3000 miles and just recently I hit about 3010 miles on this new Astrale so ya I'm guessing about 10k miles? Again I dont really care about miles and a few rides(the SantaBarbara ride included) I did not bring my computer with me. Sometimes it's very peaceful riding without a computer.

I sometime sgot flats every other day because of crappy roads and/or tires.

I don't ever use CO2 Either(I started recently but still I mostly use the pump) so I have plenty of annoying experiences on the side of the road pumping and crap.

I've never had an issue with tire levers and I use them all the time. I don't even know how you guys get the tires on without them. Sometimes I can barely get it on with the damn lever itself(gettting the tire on the rim).

AND IM RAGING NOW, OMG EVERYONE BURN IN RIGHTEOUS FIRE!!

Now there's the Ovo we know and love!:)

50 flats is a lot. When you have a flat, do you keep track of which tube has the hole and which tube is new?

A trick someone showed me once when installing a tire is to cup your fingers over the tire and use the top of your palm, where the calluses are, instead of your thumbs to push the tire on. Works with some tires; the Gatorskins I have on now still need the assistance of a lever.

I use those big yellow Pedro's levers now but I have a regular set of the skinny ones that I bought in '83 around somewhere.Ya kinda roll the tire over on to the rim using both palms. Having bike gloves on helps ease the pain but with Mavic rims it's pretty painless.

I don't know I dont keep a GRAMIN ULTRA PRO 3000 EXTREME DELUX WITH TOPOGRAPHICAL DATA, SATTELITE IMAGERY AND WIRELESS CONNECTION TO THE HUBBLE TELESCOPE computer

When did they come out with this model? Can it read the signal from a wireless powertap hub?