BassManNate

Ok, so I was going to take some tires off an old wheelset that I haven't used in a while and use them on my nicer, newer wheelset. These are Kenda Klaw XT tires and they're still in great shape.

My problem is that I can't get them off! I can get one tire lever under the bead and then I can't do much else. I can't get another lever under the bead and I can't slide the lever to unseat the rest of the bead. All the while, I feel like I'm going to break my tire levers.

I've NEVER had this kind of trouble getting tires on or off. Am I doing something wrong? Am I stupid or just plain weak?!

BikingGrad80

try pressing the two sides of the tire together with your thumb and index finger. Start at the valve and go to the far side of the tire in each direction. Then use two or three levers spaced about an inch and a half apart and slip them under bead on one side. Then press down on the levers to get the bead up and try slipping the portion of the bead out of the rim in both directions. Sounds like a bad case of tight fit.

Winter76

You let ALL of the air out first right?

BassManNate

Ok. Will try the first suggestion tomorrow. I didn't let ALL the air out. I let out as much as I could.

BassManNate

Thanks. I got it off. I did what you said as well as put a little more muscle into it (realizing that the tube and tire were worthless to me unless I could get them off the old wheel) The majority of the problem was the rim itself as the tire went onto the new rim fairly easily (still needed some muscle. Just not as much)