Bicycle Mechanics - Last bit of tube

When I'm fixing a clincher flat, I always have a problem getting that last little bit of tube to fit under the tire w/o bunching up. Does anybody have any tips for fitting that last bit of tube onto the rim?

Thanks,
velo

I put the tire on the rim (one side), then push the tube into the tire, then work the other side of the tire onto the rim.
To make sure I don't get a pinch flat, I inflate the tire to about 30 lbs pressure and work my hands around the tire to free up the tube just in case it may be caught.
Then I finish inflating the tire.

Always works for me. :thumbup:

Yeah... It's no problem until that last bit of tube! That darn last bit of tube!

What about that?

I generally inflate the tube a little before putting it in too. Pinch flats are not much fun (especially 70km from home).

I know! I know! I inflate, I do everything by the book, but what about that last bit of tube ???

Let some air out of the tube if you can't get that last bit in.

Could you possibly be inflating it too much?

Originally posted by Fatal Justice
Could you possibly be inflating it too much?

Nah, I deflate it a bit when I get to the end, too, like Regular Guy said.

It's not that the tube won't fit on, it's that there's too much left at the end. Then, when I try to put it in, it bunches up and is hard to make smooth.

27" tube in 26" tire? Somebody had to be the wise guy :)

Well to get that LAST BIT of tube in the tire you really need to have strong thumbs; but there are a few other pointers, too...not necessarily in order.

(1) make sure the 'last part of the tube' you have to stick in is opposite the valve stem.

(2) Let all the air out of the tire if you need to.

(3) I often put the tube into the tire, inflate it enough to get some body and firmness into it, and then mount the tire and tube on the rim TOGETHER. Then the 'last part' you are talking about is not stuck between the tire and the rim; its just that you must get that last bit of TIRE over the bead. In that case, again, let all the air out of the tire that ya need to, and you can be very succesful using one tire iron (carefully) to ease the last bit of tire onto the rim. Be careful to insert the tire iron ONLY far enough to get leverage on the rim.

(4) Make sure the valve stem is firmly seated in place and the tire has grabbed the bead near the valve hole. I push the valve stem into the tire (this is easiest with schraders, instead of those dastardly presta valves) and pinch the tire to make sure the valve and tire are properly seated.

(5) Older tires stretch more and are easier to mount, unless they have begun to dry and crack.

roughstuff

I use TIRE TALC to make it slippery and smooth and never have trouble with tubes. I also inflate the tube just enough to make it round and put it in the tire before mounting on the rim.

Also, the best TYRE LEVER I have found is made by VAR --the French tool maker-- it's called DEMONTE. Your LBS can order them from United Bicycle Supply or United Bicycle Parts if it's not a standard stock item. They're around $5 or $6.

Originally posted by Roughstuff
Well to get that LAST BIT of tube in the tire you really need to have strong thumbs; but there are a few other pointers, too...not necessarily in order.

Alright, some of those sound a little different than what I'm doing. I'll have to give those a shot. Thanks.

And NO, roadkill, I've got all the right sizes, thank-you very much!

Velo, I know exactly what you mean. It's that last bit of tube pinched between the tire bead and the rimwhen all but about six inches of bead are set. [been there, done that.] What I normally do is, when i'm pinching the tire on with two hands, to meet at the end, I always stop while there's about ten inches of bead still to set. Using a finger or a tire iron, I gently nudge the tube in and then, to set the rest, I pich the tire and tube together at about the middle of the un-set length of tire and yank them back onto the rim, without using an iron. In fact, I don't use irons at all to set the tire, except where nudging the tube.

I fit the tyre by one edge.
Insert the tube losely into the tyre.
Fix the valve in place with the nut.
Put the other edge of the tyre on.
Press all around the tyre.
Undo the nut and push the valve in a little, then reseat the tyre.
Pump up a little
Press/pinch the tyre all around again. This seems to even out any slack tube.
Pump up, then relpace the nut.

Thanks guys. I guess I'm being a little too gentle. I'll try some of those methods next time I have to replace a tube. :)