Curious: Tire Mounting
#1
Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Seal Beach, Ca
Posts: 108
Bikes: Trek Madone 5-Series Campy 10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Curious: Tire Mounting
Which of you is able to completely mount a tire without using any tools, that is, by hand only?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: England, currently dividing my time between university in Guildford and home just outside Reading
Posts: 1,921
Bikes: Too many to list here!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
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.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438
Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
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.
#4
It's true, man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's been a few years since I needed a tire tool to install a tire. I use them often to uninstall tires.
#5
You Know!? For Kids!
https://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.
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.
__________________
Are you a registered member? Why not? Click here to register. It's free and only takes 27 seconds! Help out the forums, abide by our community guidelines.
Are you a registered member? Why not? Click here to register. It's free and only takes 27 seconds! Help out the forums, abide by our community guidelines.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central CA
Posts: 1,414
Bikes: A little of everything
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#7
I Biked Today
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: My Place
Posts: 252
Bikes: 1998 Lemond Zurich, Redline Conquest Pro, Kilo TT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Senior Member
https://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.
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.
#10
commuter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 536
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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 am not necessarily mr. muscles; it's all in the technique. find an old mechanic to teach you.
#11
Senior Member
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. https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...&item_id=KS-TJ
#12
Senior Member
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.
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.
#13
Guest
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Grid Reference, SK
Posts: 3,768
Bikes: I never learned to ride a bike. It is my deepest shame.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
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.
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.
#14
Senior Member
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... 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.....
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.
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.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
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.
#16
John Wayne Toilet Paper
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
John Wayne Toilet Paper
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
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.
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.
#22
John Wayne Toilet Paper
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#23
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
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 at home:
and this on the road:
It's hell getting old, but it's still better than the alternative.
and this on the road:
It's hell getting old, but it's still better than the alternative.
#24
elcraft
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 at home:
and this on the road:
It's hell getting old, but it's still better than the alternative.
and this on the road:
It's hell getting old, but it's still better than the alternative.
#25
John Wayne Toilet Paper
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts