Originally Posted by Wil Davis

Exactly! …but the problem starting at the valve, is that the valve takes up space, and prevents the bead from getting right down into the center of the rim!

If you start opposite the valve, then there's nothing to obstruct the bead from getting right down into the center of the rim; you can then work the bead onto the rim, working towards the valve from either direction, so that when you get to the difficult bit (near the valve) the tight part is getting the bead over the edge of the rim and at that point has nothing to do with the valve…

- Wil

Originally Posted by Moose

I always start at the valve. I have never failed to complete any tire install.