Bicycle Mechanics - Why do i have trouble putting a tire back on?

How come I have so much trouble all the time putting a new tire on =( Taking it off is not as bad, but whenever I put the new tire on, I have problems at the END. I can't seem to wrench the last 2-3 inches over. I try to lever it in using the tire levers, but i'm scared the levers will break since it's plastic. I also don't want to put TOO much pressure on it, cuz I'm also scared my tire will RIP. Is that even possible for a tire to RIP when i stretch the side wall SOOO much to slide the tire back on the rim?

Agh..someone help me! Is their an easier way?!

Apply a very small amount of soapy water or talcum powder on the last 2 or 3 inches that are giving you a hard time.

Rims and tyre bead diameters have quite a lot of variability. Some brands just dont mix.
I had a tight fitting hutchinson tyre and needed to use tyre levers to get the thing onto the rim. After a spate of punctures, I had weakened the sidewall so much, that it split.

What does the soapy water/talcum powder do? Loosen up the tire? Or makes it slide on easier?

So is it bad if i keep on taking on/off the tire every week? Because once a week i go mountain biking, and twice a week i go road biking. The tire wall will eventually weaken and split?

Soapy water or talcum powder Just makes it easier to slide the tire on.Try the talcum powder first.
I would also listen to the advise of MichaelW he has some great advise.

Originally posted by Gojohnnygo.

I would also listen to the advise of MichaelW he has some great advise.

Yah, i think everyone here knows everything that's why i ask a lot of questions :D and very helpful!

:beer:

As far as im concerned they're much better at the bike stuff than me

Originally posted by skimwdg492
As far as im concerned they're much better at the bike stuff than me

Lol. :)

So does anyone happen to know the answer to this question?
So is it bad if i keep on taking on/off the tire every week? Because once a week i go mountain biking, and twice a week i go road biking. The tire wall will eventually weaken and split?

Thanks

What kind of tire and rim do you have? Some combinations are murder, like Specialized tires and Mavic road rims particularly when using narrow sized tires like 23-25mm or smaller.

Ride Better
Pat

I'm not sure, haven't checked the rim, but on the Giant web site it says: Alloy, 36H doublewall, black w/ brushed sidewall
My current tires are: Hutchinson Mosquitos (26x2)

I want to get one of these tires http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=581369&bmUID=1057819299514

What do u guys think of these tires? I'm thinking about the Panaracer Pasela or the Continental Sport 1000 (since i can pump up the PSI to 100)

Get some metal tyre levers, that will do the trick. I have tried the plastic ones but they bend with enough force, so I went back to my trusty old metal levers.

CHEERS.

Mark

For dual use riding, it is better to get another set of wheels, and keep the tyres in place. Else get some dual use tyres.
Metal tyre levers are much stronger, and wont snap, but they do more damage to tight-fitting tyres.

I've found it very hard to snap plastic tyre levers. Metal levers do too much damage to softer, tighter tyres

Originally posted by AquariaGuy
So is it bad if i keep on taking on/off the tire every week? The tire wall will eventually weaken and split?

From what I've read, this is a possibility. I would follow the advice of others and get yourself another set of wheels that are better suited for road riding, and keep your MTB tires on the original wheels.

Good advice, with a road-specific set of wheels your hands will be relieved, and you'll feel the difference if they are actually meant for road. I hate having to change tyres...

Park plastic levers have been "unbreakable" in my experience and are much more benign on the rim. Metal levers can furrow and groove the rim raising sharp edges as you lever the last bit of bead over. Cloth beaded tires are a LOT easier to put on than wire beaded. Be very careful of the location of the tube in levering on those last inches of bead, the pressure can cause a pinch flat between bead and rim or bead and tube. A few # air pressure in the tube tends to move it up into the tire and help here. Always check difficult installs to be sure the bead has fully seated in the rim. Tire blow offs with unseated beads always ruin the tube. Steve

Originally posted by MichaelW
For dual use riding, it is better to get another set of wheels, and keep the tyres in place. .

Is it ok if i use my OLD (5 yr old) mountain bike rims? The rims are the same size (26x2 i think gotta double check). It won't hurt my new Giant bike if i put the old rims on it, will it? And the new road tires won't get ruined by the old rim? I'm not sure what type of material the old rim is made out of though.

Thanks for the help guys
Matt

Remember - when taking a tire off, start @ the point directly opposite the valve stem. When putting a tire on, start @ the valve stem, and work to the spot directly opposite the valve stem. Also, work the tire a bit while you do this.

Good luck!

Originally posted by bac
Remember - when taking a tire off, start @ the point directly opposite the valve stem. When putting a tire on, start @ the valve stem, and work to the spot directly opposite the valve stem. Also, work the tire a bit while you do this.

Good luck!

Thanks for that tip :)

Originally posted by bac
When putting a tire on, start @ the valve stem, and work to the spot directly opposite the valve stem. Also, work the tire a bit while you do this.
Good luck!

Right. And it helps to make sure the bead is as low in the rim's center grove as possible, allowing you as much bead as possible to work with.

Lubing the bead with any available lubricant will help that last bit slip over the rim. Once, in 90-degree weather 18 miles from home, I used a simple swipe of my underarm to provide a Sure lube. So, unless you're French, that's always an option.

Originally posted by WaterlooBoy
So, unless you're French, that's always an option.

LOL That's hilarious. :D

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=581369&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=16457&bmUID=1057885595714

One more stupid question guys!!
The tires above (in the link) are 26 x 1.4 <-- 1.4!!!
But my current tires are 26x2. I heard it is (bad?) to put tires smaller than 1.5 on my rim. Is it true?! I'm not sure what width my rim is though, cuz it's just a standard rim i got with my Giant Yukon i guess, there's no size on it.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1.4". I've seen some people use 1" tires on their mtn bike rims. I have used 1.5" on my DH rims. The only issue is if your rim is too wide and your tire too narrow, the bead won't sit right in the J-hook of the rim and you could get a blow out!

If you're having problems getting that last little bit of tire on, any type of liquid helps. I've used simple green, soapy water, regular water, ...etc. Just don't use a lubricant as it will render your brakes useless!

L8R

I just bought the Ritchey Tom Slicks. I hope their good! IT just started raining, agh!! Can't test it out. Hopefully the rims their on now, will fit on my bike. Thanks for all the help guys!

AGH!!! I just put the tire on and everything on my old RIM, till they were TOO WIDE! The rim can't even go between the brakes cuz their so fat. But I thought they were the same size, cuz the tires were the same! AGH!!!!!! Now i have to return the tires, OR buy another rim. But how much do rims cost?! Are all older rims that BIG, because i might try to look for a cheap bike at a garage sale with rims the same size as mine.

Frustrated,
Matt

Be careful with your cassette on the rear wheel if you try different rims, as it may not suit your derailleur/groupset :)

Originally posted by bac
Remember - when taking a tire off, start @ the point directly opposite the valve stem. When putting a tire on, start @ the valve stem, and work to the spot directly opposite the valve stem. Also, work the tire a bit while you do this.


I find the opposite works best for me. The bead of the tire opposite the valve can pull down into the rim further than it can at the valve stem. If you finish up at the valve stem, the tire will be looser and you may not even need tools. I can seat Specialized Turbo Armadillos (700-26) without tools using this trick.

I rarely have to use tyre levers on my or my sons' mountain bikes, but I have a bear of time installing or removing Continental Ultra 2000 700Cx23 tyres on the Bianchi's Campagnolo Omega rims. I like the tyres, but next time I shall try a different brand.

Don't use the tire levers to wrench those last few inches onto the rim. You should roll the tire on with your hands instead.

Place the wheel/tire on the ground with the valve at the top.
Put the bead of the tire on the side away from you on the rim.
Put the tube in place.
Put as much of the bead facing you on the rim, usually the last 3-4".
With the wheel/tire still on the ground and the valve at the top.
Start on the bottom of the left side and push the tire bead into the smallest part (center) of the rim while forcing the tire up towards the valve. When you reach the valve, hold the tire in place on that side and repeat the process on the other side.
At this point, with some pressure roll the side of the bead facing you onto and over the rim. If you have to, push the valve stem up into the tire.
You can do just about the opposite to remove the tire. Only you'll roll the bead facing you off the rim first.
Since breaking 3 tire irons and pinch flating a tube one time while changing a pair of Conti slicks on my mountainbike I have been doing and demonstrating this to everyone/anyone I come in contact with.
I have yet to have to use a tire iron on any tire, wire or kevlar bead, that is correctly sized.
The key is to keep the bead in the center of the rim where it is the smallest diameter, not on the edge where it eventually sits when properly inflated and seated.