Apparently, can't install a tire.
 

Like the title says.

I've changed hundreds of mountain bike tires, and only a handful of road tires (I'm still new to this skinny-tire thing.) And apparently, I've hit a wall. I can't, for the life of me, mount a 700x23cc tire on a brand new rim.

We're not talking "can't push the last 4" over the wall", this is more of a "Wow, there's 8" of bead left that I can't get to seat.."

I've broken two Park tire levers. The third folded in half. I've popped two tubes.

What gives? Am I missing an easier way?

sometimes a thinner rim tape helps.

Did the tire fit ok on the old rim?

Brand new tire and brand new rim.

put less air in the tube at start , some tires will go on better with no or little amount air in the tube. or try a smaller tube. once the tire is mounted then add the air ,little at a time until the tire is seated then up to full pressure .

Here's what I do:

Mount first bead.Blow up tube so it just barely stays round.Insert tube.Mount second bead starting at the stem.When you get close to fully mounting second bead,check and make sure first bead is in the MIDDLE of the rim and push the stem up into the tire,so you don't pinch the tube.Release all of the air in the tube and mount second bead.Use soapy water if need be for the last bit.

If you need to use spoons,take small bites,1/2 inch long,install spoon and pinch the tire at the spoon so you don't pinch the tube.Couple of bites and you should be able to fold the rest over with your hands.

Put a couple pounds in it,check your alignment marks to make sure the tires mounted square,a high mark could mean the tube is under the tire bead,fudge around with it if need be,fill with air.

Most tires have a line around the sidewall so you can check to see if it is mounted square.The line should be equal distant from the rim all the way around.

A couple things that might help...
1) A little talc dusting on the tube
2) Some of the same on the inside of the bead
3) Tire label centered at the valve hole

OK, what brand tire? I've had some luck laying them out in the sun before I've installed a tight tire.

Been there......had to use metal levers. 3.5 hours busted 3 tubes.

Any chance the tire isn't made properly? Try to test fit the tire on the rim without a tube.

Crap,I forgot the labels,don't forget the labels or the arrows for that matter......get all done and people be laughin.......:)

Some combos are not so fun,tight tire and no relief in the middle of the rim....as long as they are both 700's,they'll fit.

Can't mount the tire with or without a tube. Very odd.

Its a Bontrager 700x23 tire on a DT 465 rim, Velox rim tape.

if you cant even mount it at home you probably should get a different tire. what are you going to do when you flat on the road?

time for a bead jack:
http://harriscyclery.net/product/koo...-jack-2338.htm

Exactly what I was thinking, and why I'm so pissed off right now.

Do different makes or brands mount easier than others? I can't remember any noticeable difference in mountain tires, everything popped over with minimal effort. I've used this particular Bontrager tire (albeit in a 700x25) on a different wheel before, no issues. I'm just hoping that its my tire (or technique), and not the new wheels..

Vallun: I like Continental Easy Tape brand rim tape. It's stretchy plastic and is thinner and slicker than Velox fabric tape. It leaves a little more room in the rim which can make a big difference.

I just popped off a 700x25 tire off another wheel, and it popped right onto the new wheelset like it had been there its whole life. Of course, it has several hundred miles on it. Do these things stretch? I'm assuming its a wire bead.

They strech some. What brand are you using? I've had trouble mounting Gatorskins when new. But after some mileage they come off without a hitch.

+1 on the bead jack.

Some rim/tire combinations are very difficult. I used to be able to wrestle almost any tire onto any rim, but as I've aged I've developed arthritis in my hands and no longer have the grip strength to do this. The Kool Stop bead jack is a valuable shop tool, and I use the VAR #425 bead jack on the road:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/var/images/var0051.jpg

This thing from Crank Brothers works well for me: speedlever

There's your problem. Velox tape is very good, but also very thick. Thinner tape will reduce the diameter of the rim's middle bed, which will allow more slack in the bead, which in turn will make it easier to pry the bead over the rim wall.

Try thinner rim tape like the Continental suggested above or ROX: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...1&category=140 . In extreme situations, I've resorted to a couple layers of fiberglass packing tape. It's very thin, but tends to be fragile. I've had it spread and allow the tube to blow out into the spoke holes.

Veloplugs are also thinner and like Velox are reusable without tenacious adhesive.

+1 on the bead jack. I had the worst time I've ever had with new Vredestein tires on new HED rims w/Veloplugs. Finally resorted to using levers and ruined the first tube.

FWIW - they do stretch enough with use. Rotating the same tires one year/1,300 miles later was no problem.