Are skinny road bike tyres usually BRUTAL?
 

So I fixed my first flat on my skinny 700x23's. Due to my tiny hands and general sucking, tyre/tube changes in general are kinda tough, but even with levers these were BRUTAL. Thumbs are still sore from it. And what's worse, I realized I pinched the tube on my way in today (no flat, thankfully), so now I gotta find a way to shove that up under without having to go through the whole process again.

These are Continental tyres on Matrix rims.

M.

One way to possibly ease mounting tight tires/rims is to change from the thick Velox rim tape to a thinner, more slippery one like Continental Easy Tape. The thinner tape makes it easier to get the tire down onto the rim to allow some slack. If you find that you need to resort to tools to mount your tires you had better have them with you when you get a flat on the road.

Just like wide MTB tires, some are and some aren't. It depends on the rim make, the tire make and how the tolerances add up. Even on the same rim, I've had 700-23 tires install with just modest thumb pressure and others that require a tire lever and LOTS of force and cursing.

If I had to generalize, Vittoria folding tires in 700-23 and 700-28 have been modestly difficult to install the first time and not too bad after that on several rims by both Mavic and Shimano.

It all depends on the tire/rim combination. Some are so easy I can do them without levers. Others....

IME, the thinner the nastier. i've often had to resort to using the tire levers to get the darn thing on. usually there is about a 50/50 chance of putting a hole in the tube when i do that. if you have kevlar beaded tires (folding) then the first time is the worst and the more wear on them the better it gets. so hope for a long interval between first mounting and first flat. but it won't be long if you can't get that tube back behind the bead where it belongs. :)

I use Conti GP4000s on all of my road bikes, and never have any trouble getting them on or off without levers. For my MTB OTOH, I have lots of trouble with just about everything from slicks to knobbies.

My High pressure Tire patch kit has 3 tire levers to take them off and 2 VAR tire jack tools*
to put them back on. with out pinching the tube ..

* like these : http://www.retro-gression.com/produc...tire-bead-jack

Always try to put the tire on without levers, just with your thumbs. There are some techniques to make this easier.

You really need to refine your technique if you damage that many tubes even installing a tire with levers. The trick is to be sure the tube is tucked completely inside the tire before levering the last bit of the bead in place. Inflating the tube very slightly to just round it out helps assure the tube will be completely within the tire so it can't be pinched by the lever.

I managed to wiggle in the tube without dismounting the whole thing. Also got introduced to the Blackburn Air Tower 4 pump, which was sitting in the com room next to a disused vintage road bike I think belongs to my GPOC.

M.

Help me out, you're not in OZ so GPOC isn't Gov't Prices oversight commission, and you're not a gold prospector in CO, so is GPOC a geriatric project oversight committee or what?

I just installed a pair of 700 x 23's on mine and they were a bi_ch.

I've been having more problems mounting Michelin Pro Race 700 x 23 than I use to. It seems to be an industry trend. The rims are ST Swiss and Mavic Open Pro. But in any case I would rather have a bit too tight than a bit too loose.

In my shop days, I used to cuss under my breath about most Conti road tires and Vittoria Randonneurs. To a large extent, technique and the rim's specs play a big role, too... but some of these tires are unrepentantly tight. It only took me a few weekends at the shop to realize why the other guys would hand me any flat repairs with those dang brown-walled Contis. Bloody knuckles.

If you have a hard time doing the last part, back off some of the bead, spray windex on one finger (or spit, if no one is there) wipe the inside of the part of the tire with the liquid with your finger. Then try it again. Don't use something that might make brakes not work. Windex is safe for tires brakes etc.

VAR tire levers are the smallest jacking type and easy to carry with you. No muss, no fuss. Why would you not?

I don't for the simple reason that tires that need to be jacked on a bear to remove. I'm very selective about tire/rim combinations since I consider the ability to fix a flat in the dark and cold (and probably rain) with cold half numb fingers a prerequisite.

OTOH, I've come upon people stranded and struggling, and ended up bending or breaking tire levers trying to get tires off.

There's zero technical benefit to tires and rims that make mounting that hard, but as long as people accept it, we'll only see more.

"Matrix rims" says it all to me. My wife has an old trek 420 that has matrix rims. They are basic box section, nice looking anodized rims, but are significantly more difficult to mount tires to than the 'design similar' Mavic MA40's on my Univega. I'd have a look around when it's time to replace the tires. Research tires that report to be easier to mount/unmount and hopefully you'll find an option that allows reasonable effort changes. I'm pretty good with tires, I know and use all the right tricks, and I've broken levers before on her matrix rims.

-Jeremy

Use a narrower inner tube.
Am 81 years old and can remove/install tires on my single and tandem without tools.

I think your installing the tires wrong from the start, first try doing this before resorting to tools; see: http://www.artscyclery.com/learningc...aflattire.html Make sure your not using a tube that is one size larger then your tire size, you should always use the next size smaller or the same size.

If you have done what is shown in the video correctly and you still find that you can't get on the last inch or so of the tire then use a tire tool but be careful not to pinch the tube. Most tire tools are poorly made, meaning flimsy and can break, Soma Steel Core tire iron are the best on the market in my opinion and won't break in a time of need like on the road; see: http://store.somafab.com/stcotile.html. If you try using a tire tool and still can't get the bead on, which would be rare by the way, then find a tool another poster mentioned called the VAR; see: http://www.cyclebasket.com/products....3s281p92&rs=gb The crazy thing about the VAR is that it's difficult to find in America which I don't understand because it makes putting on extremely tough tires a breeze without any worries about pinching a tube.

Also when removing a tire get a tool called the QuikStik, this is the best and fastest way to remove a tire, if you get one you can find You Tube videos on how to use it. It can also put on a tire but if the tire is extremely tough the VAR will be easier. Some tires are so tough to remove you may have to start the tire with a tire iron or two then insert the QuikStik and rip the tire is off.

As a side note, do not fret about having a tire too tough to install or remove, I prefer my tires that way in fact, why you scream? Because in the event of sudden flat the tire is less likely to come off the rim vs a easy to install and remove tire thus protecting your rim and maybe your arse at the same time.

It is counter intuitive, but having the tube slightly inflated help to get the tire all the way on the rim. It helps you get the tube inside the tire and avoid pinching it. And if you do trap the tub under the tire it when jacking the last bit of tire onto the rim, the inflation helps you free the tube again before it can be damaged. With you tube lightly inflated you just grasp the tire and tube and roll them back and forth with your hand from side to side. The inflation draws the trapped bit of tube fully into the tire.

I have been a VAR user for 30 years. There is NO SUBSTITUTE. The best tire jacking tire tool made and the most portable. Also very good at getting under the tire to remove it because the edges are thin. Everyone should have one of these no matter how macho they may be. A little help is a good thing.

I have had a few tires that were too tight for plastic tire levers (they broke) & I end up carefully using flat blade screwdrivers.
I used to have metal tire levers but can't find them.

Those of you taking the opportunity to explain that this guy is clearly doing it wrong, and that you'd be able to do it handcuffed and blindfolded clearly don't own Matrix rims. Just sayin'. It's the rim design, and it's a poor one. The central channel is inadequate to allow enough shift of the tire, EVEN WHEN CAREFULLY PLACED IN THE CENTER ALL THE WAY AROUND, and it makes for a terrible job no matter how good you are.

-Jeremy

Good thread about all the ways to both do it wrong and how to do it better, plus good options on tire levers. Some of these bead jacks I didn't know existed. Hopefully I'll remember to avoid Matrix rims, and am smart enough to stay with rim/tire combinations that work smoothly together. If changing rims would solve most of the problems I wouldn't hesitate longer than my pocketbook allows.