supton

I've replaced tires on a mountain bike before, so I'm used to practically changing the tire with just my thumbs. Last night I changed the rear tire on my road bike--a Trek Pilot 1.2, which came with Bontrager Racelights on Alexis(?) rims. Various reviews about this tire being "tight" were not joking. [Tire had something like 3kmiles, but there was a cut across the read which had cords sticking out. After coming off, the tire feels "thin" in that area too.] I came across two issues which I hadn't seen before. Oh, I used the same tire as before--a 700c x 25mm Bontrager Racelite, since it's held up so well.

The first was that I could not get the bead properly onto the rim; I fear I bent the bead in the tire somehow (it's been a while since I've had to use tire levers, and this tire required a good amount force). Once I pumped up the tire, and worked the tire a bit, all other sections could be heard to "pop" into place. Save one. I deflated, worked it, and reinflated; but it just won't pop up. It is making a slightly low section, which I fear is going to give me a "thumping" feel as I ride. [Tonight I'll take it out for a shakedown ride, couldn't do that last night.] Might it just need some riding, and perhaps a warm day, for the bead to take?

Secondly was that, once I got the old tire off, and the new tire on, I had a loose spoke. As in, I could turn the nipple with my fingers. Some years ago I hit some ledge in the pavement, which required trueing of the wheel; perhaps the tire was off somehow? Seemed very odd... I tightened that one spoke, and it basically came right back into true (or relatively close, it wasn't perfect before). [This is a lower spoke count wheel, not sure if it's 16 or 20; but it's not 32.] Might that indicate something bad? I've read these rims are not long lived, which is a shame, as I like the looks of them.

Thanks.

Esteban32696

Some of those skinny tires are hard to put on. I have laid them in the sun , then wet the bed with dishwashing liquid to help install & it seems to help " seat " the tire , too. As far as the loose spoke, I would check all of them , tighten, & true the wheel if needed.

bobn

I have used soapy water, even spray glass cleaner to seat a stubborn tire. A little lube helps them "pop" into place.

supton

Wish I had thought of the dishsoap last night. Now if I could just get the tire to seat in that one spot; it has me concerned that something is amiss.

I do see that I'm not going to be fixing flats on the side of the road with this particular tire, so, hopefully this replacement tire holds up like the prior tire. I'm hoping to ride a good 15 miles from home this weekend; and calling for ride home would not be particularly fun (not impossible, just a great way to ruin the ride).