Commuting - changing those real skinny tires!

Okay, I have a Bianchi Tallada and it is more high performance than my Schwinn Voyager that has the wider tires. My question is this, Ive changed the Voyager tires before and thought that was a pain getting the tube and tire back on the rim. How difficult will it be when I get a flat on these small skinny tires?? Im new to the maintence issues, should I have the bike store give me a few hints, should I try it on my own? I do have the right tools, but not sure on the difficulty.

Some brands of tires are more difficult to mount than others. Some rims make for more difficult installation. Some combinations of rims and tires are more difficult than others. In general the narrower the tire, the harder the mount, but there are a lot of factors here.

When mounting a tire, seat one bead in the rim. Put enough air in the tube to give it shape. Install the tube. Begin seating the other bead, working your way around the rim. When you get to the last little bit and it gets tough, let the air out of the tube and then starting back at the beginning point and working your way around again, squeeze both beads of the tire into the center of the rim. This should give you enough slack to seat the last bit of the tire. Keep trying. Wear your cycling gloves. Cuss a little. Sooner or later it should seat.

If you have a hard time mounting tires, get yourself a Crank Brothers Speed Lever. It's a great tool and makes changing tires much easier. Just be sure to leave some air in the tube through the entire mounting process, otherwise you can pinch the tube.

Originally posted by nikos
...should I have the bike store give me a few hints, should I try it on my own? I do have the right tools, but not sure on the difficulty.
Practice taking the tire off and putting it back on in the comfort of your living room (or garage if you're not allowed to work on your bike in the house). Once you get the technique mastered you won't have any problems when you are out on the road.

You say you have the right tools. All you need is a tire lever (some people need two) and strong hands and fingers.

It would be a good idea to practice getting the tube in the tire without pinching the tube between the tire and rim. Pinch flats are a common occurance for inexperienced tire changers. ;)

Also add or replace the rim tape while you have the tire off if the rim tape looks old or the ends of the spokes are poking through.

And don't feel bad if you have to ask for some assistance from your LBS. Many people never ask for help. They just bring the bike or wheel in and pay someone to repair the flat.

There is some good information (with pictures) on changing tires and repairing flats on Park Tool's website (http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQtires.shtml).

Use soapy water on your tires to help them seat correctly.

Work from the side farthest from the valve toward the valve when removing the tire and then from the valve out when mounting the tire.

I bought a pair of foldable tyres (Continental GP 3000), they are REAL easy to get on as there is no wire bead to contend with. I used to use regular tyres (Continental Ultra 2000) with the bead and they were a pain to get the last 4inches onto the rim. A foldable tyre can be put on without tools, just a bit of finger work.

CHEERS.

Mark

I do not buy foldable tires. Does not the wire bead make for a stronger tire.? I think of foldables just as a spare, should you want to carry one on a tour.
I think another suggested the Crank Brothers Speed Levers. They are great. Telescoping lever that rotates about the axle. That and a good pump adds to a more secure feeling about flats, while far away from home.

Nikos,

Perhaps the trouble with your Voyager was the rim size. In addition, different tire brands have given me different results while mounting.

I went back to the original brand of tire that came with my bike (Continentals.) Now I never have a problem mounting a tire.

:D