Originally Posted by
79pmooney
Are you making sure the bead is off the ledge on the rim and sitting in the lower center of the rim when you have to muscle that last bit on? I get most of the tire on, going both directions from the valve. With 8-12" to go, I go back the valve, push it in and push the tire down into the center, then work the rest of the bead down as I go back tot he last 8-12". Usually then, that last bit isn't too hard.
You may well know all this already. There are tire/rim combinations that are very difficult even doing this. That VAR tool looks like a winner. If I were you, however, I would consider that tire/rim combo a no-no and look for another brand of tire that went on easier. (Murphy's Law. Flats happen. Tools get lost, stolen, borrowed, break. Or are sitting in the tool bag ready to be used; on one of my other bikes.)
Ben
Good point - Yes, next time I'll try to be more conscious of ensuring the tire bead is towards the center of the rim while slipping the other bead on - I 'kind of did that' but probably not very effectively. What's pathetic (about my abilities!) is that this was the tire that was already on the rim - just replaced the tube - it was the stock tire that came with the bike (this actually was the fifth season). Kind of dreading putting on brand new tires
