Yep, there are some "tricks of the trade" that you can use. Here's the method I use:

Never use a tire iron to mount a tire....ever. You'll only pinch the tube and make a flat.

I do this sitting on a stool with the wheel in my lap.
Make sure the tube is deflated.
Make sure to push the valve stem up into the tire so that the tire bead seats deeply into the rim.
Yeah, I start at the valve stem. Other mechanics start opposite the stem. Either way works but the important thing is to make sure that the valve is not down so far that the tire bead isn't seated fully.
For that last few inches put a toe strap on one end of where the tire is off the rim and tighten it down so that the tire bead doesn't slip off the rim.
Now starting opposite where the tire is off the rim start pushing and pulling with both hands and push the tire bead into the rim and pull the tire bead on both sides around the rim to the open part.
Make sure you continue to push the tube into the tire as you go and make sure the tube doesn't twist as you push it into the tire. This is important.
Holding the bead at the toe strap, start rolling the bead over the rim with the opposite hand. Be sure to push the tube into the tire as you go here to.
Yeah, it's NOT easy sometimes but you should make some progress.
Go back down to opposite the open part and repeat. Each time roll the bead with your entire hand over the rim's edge.
Keep at it and it will go on that rim.
If you've rubber your fingers raw and the tire goes on the rim, you've figured it out. From now on it's just practice.

Somebody posted a good video on this technique a while back. Not sure which thread it's on though.


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