Chone

What do I need? I'm using a screwdriver but I've rip two tubes already and its always a hard task removing the tire and then putting it back on.

Any specific clear instructions to avoid tire/tube damage and facilitate the process?

Thanks in advance,

dutret

try plastic tire levers for starters.

apclassic9

Yeah, for about $2.50 you can get the plastic levers which really work well, save your screwdrivers, and your tubes. Failing that expenditure, use your fingers.

Maelstrom 

Moved to appropriate forum

Maelstrom
admin

Dannihilator

Never ever ever ever ever ever ever use a screwdriver to remove or install a tire.

With a tire lever, at the bent side if it is pointing up it is to remove if pointing down it is to push the bead onto the rim.

To remove a side of a tire make sure you have at least three tire levers on hand. Start opposite of the valve stem on the wheel. After the first lever is in go a couple spokes down and put the second one on, then third and repeat until the rest of that side of tire can be undone by sliding your finger or with a lever. Throw a new tube in if you have a flat only after first checking the tire for why you had a flat to begin with. The remaining side of the tire can be simply rolled off from the rim. That depends on the rim and tire.

When putting a new tire on, make sure you do the following first.

-Take note of which direction the rotation should be, you want that arrow to be pointing forward. Some tire makers are smart enough that they only put the text on the right side of the tire, so if you mount the tire so that the text side is on the right(drive)side, you have the tire direction set correctly.

-Look a what the tire(tube) needs to be inflated to before mounting.

Put one side of tire on , should go on easily by hand. Put tube in.

if just fixing a flat, skip that

The proper technique to get the other side on is to get the the bead completely on by hand, but since some tires are really harder to mount than others, it is ok to use a tire lever, just be careful to not get the lever too far in or you pinch flat that tube.

Remember the psi range, and inflate the tire to somewhere in that range.

goodwin

Put one side of the tire bead on the rim with the other side hanging off and slip in your tube, inserting the valve through the hole in the rim. Work the tube in carefully and slowly with your fingers until it is entirely inside the tire and on the rim. Now take the other side of the tire and with your fingers work the bead into the rim, making sure not to pinch any tube between the tire and rim. After reinflating the tire about halfway, check around the rim on both sides to make sure the tube is not pinched in between, then reinflate to your desired psi.

Retro Grouch 

Try this:

When removing your tire, first pinch both tire beads in toward the centerline of the rim all of the way around. Noe hold the wheel vertically in front of you with the valve stem at 3:00. Starting with your hands near the top of the wheel, try to push all of the slack between the tire and rim toward the bottom. If you do this, most of the time you will find that you don't have to use a tire lever for removing the tire. If you still can't get the first bead loose, use a QR lever from your hub as an emergency tire lever.

When replacing your tire simply reverse the procedure.

bikemeister

I've ripped tubes using tire levers - and I've changed ALOT of tubes. I have an old pair that I've ground down and sanded smooth in an attempt to reduce the possibility of pinch tears - but sometimes I still pinch a tube. The only safe way is to muscle the tubes and tires on by hand. I admit, some tire/rims combos can be real tough, and you'll be tempted to use tire levers. As an alternative, soak the tires in HOT water - as hot as you can handle - just before mounting it. This will make the tire expand a smidge, but more importantly, it makes it more pliable and easier to force over the rim. Hope this helps.

toolboy

I've found that the Tire Jack by Koolstop is invaluable in getting those difficult beads to snap over - that and some soapy water if needed. Var makes a take-along version which works in a pinch.