Bicycle Mechanics - Curious: Tire Mounting

Which of you is able to completely mount a tire without using any tools, that is, by hand only?

Depends on the tyre, I need levers for the 700c Michelin slicks on my road bike, but I've got a 20" tyre on my folding bike that I can use my hands for.

Agree with Airburst. It depends on the rim and on the tire. With my 700 x 23 Michelins I have to use two plastic levers. But I'd rather have a tight fit than a loose fit.

It's been a few years since I needed a tire tool to install a tire. I use them often to uninstall tires.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/asa_levers

I have some tire/rim combinations that require the use of levers, but that link above has some tips that work well no matter what.

When mounting road tires, I generally find I'm more likely to pinch a tube if I try to shortcut the process with levers- its better to just suck it up and do it without them. Commuting tires with rigid sidewalls (even down to, say 700x23 Armadillos) never need tools to be mounted. I almost always use a lever to get a tire off, however.

It's been a few years since I needed a tire tool to install a tire. I use them often to uninstall tires.



Yep same here!

A little spritz of soapy water and a pair of thin leather gloves work for most combinations.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/asa_levers

I have some tire/rim combinations that require the use of levers, but that link above has some tips that work well no matter what.
When the guy said turn the bike upside down I left the page. Ain't the way to do it.

I can remove most tires from wheels. some are quite harder than others, but if your technique is down, it is possible on all clinchers. I prefer to use pedro's tire levers most of the time since it's easier, but the no-tools thing is a sure way to win a $5 bet.

I am not necessarily mr. muscles; it's all in the technique. find an old mechanic to teach you.

I can usually get a stubborn tire on or off when my hands aren't hurt. You pinch the tire into the bottom of the rim and hold tension on it as you work it around opposite of the stem. Goes on the same way. Having said that a friend has a Swallabe marathon 32 that requires this tool to get it on. http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=221148131799&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ

I can always mount the tyre by hand. Sometimes I need the help of levers to remove.

One tip on how to not pinch the tube when mounting with levers. Place the tip on the exposed side of the rim just underneath tyre bead. Gently slide the lever under the tyre-bead, but never leaving contact with the rim-edge. This pushes the lever-tip underneath the tube as well. When you reach the edge of the rim, lift up the lever slightly, but never losing contact. When the hook-end of the lever clears the rim-edge, lift the lever up just past the height of the rim-edge and push the tire over. You don't want to flip the lever all the way up and over because that can pinch the tube.

I can almost always install without tools. THis is important because the chance of damaging the tube when using tools is much much much higher than without tools. I consider needing tools a failure and I can count on one hand the number of times this has been necessary for me.

I can sometimes remove tires without tools but I usually start with tools if they are handy.

Edit:

I had a pair of Ritchey 26" tires that were almost impossible to mount without tools... I believe they were a factory second (irregulaily small diameter bead by 1 or 2 mm) that my employer bought at a discount.

In a fit of ignorance about 27 vs 700c when I first started out I managed to mount a 700c tire onto a 27 inch rim. That was a bit of work and I had to resort to tire levers... :D Had to cut the tire and snip the bead to get it off so no chance of returning them to the store for exchange for 27's either. THAT was an expensive learning experience..... :D

These days, and knowing better, I seldom need to use a lever for mounting a tire. But I always use one to unmount and get the bead started and then I use the lever more as a zipper tool to run it around the rim to slip the bead off.

Which of you is able to completely mount a tire without using any tools, that is, by hand only?

Depends on the tire, rim, and whether the tire has been stretched out yet.

After mounting them once with tire levers I can mount and dismount 25mm Continental Gatorskin folding tires on Mavic Reflex clincher and Open Pro rims by hand.

Which of you is able to completely mount a tire without using any tools, that is, by hand only?uh... mounting a tire by hand is the CORRECT way to do it. Who the hell uses a tool to mount a bicycle tire?

I use (1) lever to start the bead off when removing and that's it.

Use your palms, not your thumbs.

Use your palms, not your thumbs.

Or the sole of your shoe, if the tire is very tight.

Use your palms, not your thumbs.


Or the sole of your shoe, if the tire is very tight.or just HTFU and use your thumbs.

Another vote for "it depends". Most tire/rim combinations I've come across go together with no tools but occasionally one shows up that absolutely requires at least one tire lever insertion.

I have found that even the most recalcitrant tires when mounted the first time can be usually be remounted without tools the second and subsequent times if you have to repair a flat.

or just HTFU and use your thumbs.

Congratulations, you found the line between HTFU and stupidity.

Congratulations, you found the line between HTFU and stupidity.and despite toeing the line, I managed to stay away from stupidity. If you can't put ANY bicycle tire on without a tool, you need to put down the computer mouse and go rock climbing or something.

Yes, there were times working in a bike shop when it was very difficult (Michelin tires on Matrix rims, for example), but with proper technique, you can ALWAYS do it without tools.

I used to be able to do this with my bare hands, but over the years arthritis and carpal tunnel issues have made it problematic. Now I use this (https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=221148131799&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ) at home:

https://www.biketoolsetc.com/Product_Images/KS-TJ.jpg

and this on the road:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mmv-q4MFOeM/SavJvhJWixI/AAAAAAAAAFM/Qj7jPFECR9o/s320/var1.JPG

It's hell getting old, but it's still better than the alternative.

I used to be able to do this with my bare hands, but over the years arthritis and carpal tunnel issues have made it problematic. Now I use this (https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=221148131799&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ) at home:

https://www.biketoolsetc.com/Product_Images/KS-TJ.jpg

and this on the road:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mmv-q4MFOeM/SavJvhJWixI/AAAAAAAAAFM/Qj7jPFECR9o/s320/var1.JPG

It's hell getting old, but it's still better than the alternative.
Perhaps you could "name" the two devices so we can locate an example for ourselves.....

Perhaps you could "name" the two devices so we can locate an example for ourselves.....

I googled the domain and photo name and came up with Kool Stop Tire Jack. 15 bucks if you really can't be bothered to stop watching chick flicks.

I've been doing it with just my hands for 50+ years. Sure, some of 'em are tough; but, they all go on or off.....

I quit using prying tools back about 1955, when I ruined a tube with my dad's screwdriver..............

I can usually dismount and mount a tire by hand. It seems to significantly easier to wrestle a tire on and off when it is hot out. The rubber is more pliable and can be popped over the rim with less effort. Anyone else notice this?

Perhaps you could "name" the two devices so we can locate an example for ourselves.....
Well, I *DID* provide a link to the Kool-Stop bead jack (https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=221148131799&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ). The VAR #425 is presently "out of stock" at Bike Tools Etc. and I don't know of another source at the moment.

Well, I *DID* provide a link to the Kool-Stop bead jack (https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=221148131799&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ). The VAR #425 is presently "out of stock" at Bike Tools Etc. and I don't know of another source at the moment.

Here

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=76934115598&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ

Yeah, that's the Kool Stop tool I linked to in my first message. It's a very nice tool, but not particularly portable. The VAR #425 is portable, but I don't know where you can buy it right now.

and despite toeing the line, I managed to stay away from stupidity. If you can't put ANY bicycle tire on without a tool, you need to put down the computer mouse and go rock climbing or something.

Yes, there were times working in a bike shop when it was very difficult (Michelin tires on Matrix rims, for example), but with proper technique, you can ALWAYS do it without tools.

Ah yes, those awful tight Matrix rims... I had trouble with those too. Also a many 12" tires require at least a little prodding with a lever to mount/dismount.

The top one is the Kool Stop Tire Jack and the bottom one is the Var Tire Lever. I've never used the Kool Stop tool but I have the Var tool and find it no better than regular plastic levers. I'm not sure the Var is even available anymore as neither Loose Screws, Bike Tools Etc. or Sheldon Brown list it.

You cannot use your hands for Marathon Plus tries.

You cannot use your hands for Marathon Plus tries.

I can with my 700 X 35's.

As others have noted it's best to mount without levers if at all possible, and with the Tire Jack if you must. Once I learned the right method I probably used a tool to mount a tire on perhaps 10 or so tires in an over 20 year career, though I will admit there have been more problematic tire/rim combo's recently than there were earlier.

You cannot use your hands for Marathon Plus tries.

i can

...I've done it (take off and put on tires) without levers/tools far more often than with. Simply too easy to poke one or more extra holes in the tube that weren't there before using tools/levers...of course, I've never tangled with any high-end tire/rim combinations or any that were very 'exotic', either...basically just run-of-the-mill 26x1 3/8 or 27x1 1/4... :o

Some tire/rim combos are just pure hell to install a new tire, most get easier after they've been aired up and ridden, but a few don't. If I have to fight a tire installation I'm not going to use tools and chance puncturing the tube.

I did watch a youtube vid about using straps to keep the bead in the channel of the far end and to the sides of the rim you're working on... after I fought and dish soaped a set of Conti Ultra Sports onto a CXP10 rim. No thumb blood tho'. ;)

Brad

After years of wondering how to do this, I read through Jim Langley's tips (http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/flattiretwo.htm) on doing this and finally understood it. His explanation of how to do this is very well done. Note he's got another page linked to on this site. He also has a video on one of his pages. His main tip, however, for being able to easily remove a tire with your hands and w/o irons, and which I always follow now, is to use a tube that's one size smaller than your tire size. It's also crucial to learn to pinch the beads on both sides of the tire into the deeper part of the rim, the channel in the middle. You'll see if you do this around the entire wheel, you'll get a lot more slack on the tire itself to be able to get it over the edge of the rim. As others have said, it also depends on the tire.

Yeah, that's the Kool Stop tool I linked to in my first message. It's a very nice tool, but not particularly portable. The VAR #425 is portable, but I don't know where you can buy it right now.

I never heard of this site but Google shopping shows it on http://www.mtnbikes.net/varhighpressuretireleversystem.aspx.

UBI teaches how to remove tires w/o tools. Ask a graduate the method.