Road Cycling - Tire Remounting Tricks?

Hey Fellas.

Any tricks for getting that last bit of tire over the rim? I recently switched from 35c tires that were stock on my Trek 520, to 25c tires. These tires fit, but it was REAL HARD to get them on, especially the front one (?). Are some road rims thinner in diameter than the ones I have? I don't think that there is anyway on earth I could ever get 23s on. I don't want to (still tour with the 520), but dang those 25s are tight.

I generally use levers to pop one side off for fixing flats, but always just use my fingers when remounting. Any tricks out there? One that I figured out just a few years ago is to move the tire back and forth around the portion already mounted, and then try to push up that last bit again. I think you must create just a tad bit of slack this way, cause it always helps.

Hey Fellas.

Any tricks for getting that last bit of tire over the rim? I recently switched from 35c tires that were stock on my Trek 520, to 25c tires. These tires fit, but it was REAL HARD to get them on, especially the front one (?). Are some road rims thinner in diameter than the ones I have? I don't think that there is anyway on earth I could ever get 23s on. I don't want to (still tour with the 520), but dang those 25s are tight.

I generally use levers to pop one side off for fixing flats, but always just use my fingers when remounting. Any tricks out there? One that I figured out just a few years ago is to move the tire back and forth around the portion already mounted, and then try to push up that last bit again. I think you must create just a tad bit of slack this way, cause it always helps.


Try different tires. I have a pair of hutchinsons on my cannondale that glide over the rim. changing a tire has never been so easy.

I can remove and reinstall the stock Specialized tires on my bike without tools, but I think that's due to the construction of the tire itself, rather than any sort of finger strength. :)

I have a set of Michelin's that must be the hardest tires in the world to get on. Getting that last bit always takes a bit of skin off my hands, but the technique I use is this. I sit the wheel in front of me, so that I am facing of the sides, and the part with the bit of tire to get on, is at about the level of my knees and facing me (the opposite side of the wheel is on the ground). I then put my hands palm down on the tire, and put my fingers on the rim (the side pointing away from me). I then use my palms to roll the tire bead up and onto the rim. Sometimes it takes a thumb to get the last little tiny bit, as I am rolling with the palms.. It is a bit hard to describe, but it seems to do the trick with the real toughies.

Yes, road cycle rims are more narrow than touring cycle rims. If your bike uses 35mm tires stock, then 25mm tires will be too narrow for that rim.

Hey Fellas.

Any tricks for getting that last bit of tire over the rim? I have Armadeillos. I noticed sometimes it's hard to get them on and somethimes it's easy. I think that it may be which side of the tire I'm putting on. Don't know what difference there is and I cant tell which side is which but I think that there is a difference.

Try different tires. I have a pair of hutchinsons on my cannondale that glide over the rim. changing a tire has never been so easy.

How are those hutchinsons for flats? Which brand are those?

Yes, road cycle rims are more narrow than touring cycle rims. If your bike uses 35mm tires stock, then 25mm tires will be too narrow for that rim.
I have 32mm tires and was asking my LBS about 23 or 25 mm tires. And should I get new rims to trade back and forth. They said that the rims I had would work from 18mm (Ithink) to 38mm. Is this not true?

JOe

Check out this thread for suggestions. I've ordered the Crank Bro's that they suggest.
>http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=511225#post511225

Yes, road cycle rims are more narrow than touring cycle rims. If your bike uses 35mm tires stock, then 25mm tires will be too narrow for that rim.

Not always true. I've used 35's and 25's on my Mavic Open Pro wheels. In fact I just put the 25's on about 2 weeks ago - Continental 3000's. I didn't have any more difficulty than I do with the 35's.

Mark

One trick is to start at the valve stem and move around the tire so that the last bit of tire that you have to put on is opposite the valve stem. This is so there isn't any pressure on the valve stem. Now, it still may be pretty difficult to get the tire on (mine are -- brand = Continental 1000s).

Another trick is to use your palms and try roll it on (if your fingers don't work).