DrakeSuperbus

I have never had a tire put up this much of a fight before. I'm beginning to worry that I'm going to be unable to change out a tube if I flat in the field.

wolfchild

Few years ago I had a flat on my Nokian Extremes 294's..it wasn't funny.
Some tire /rim combos don't get along very well, you just have to be patient and work at it.
One thing that helps is to use the smallest, thinnest inner tube you can, more room for tire bead to wiggle around. I am now using Schwalbes studded tires and they are easier to deal with then my Nokians.

DrakeSuperbus

After wrestling the second one into place, I pretty much decided that a flat is an automatic bus ride. The last thing I want to is put my hands through that when it is 25 degrees outside.

sirtirithon

I have innova ice huskies and they are a bear as well! I found if I leave them by a heater vent for awhile it is easier to stretch them on. I usually end up using a *heaven forbid it* screwdriver to get things going. Broke 2 tire levers before resorting to that. Now its a given and I pack one with me for flat repairs. Have yet to have a flat in the winter so far.

droy45

Well, I have heard of that before with all brands of tires. I will assume that you are having a hard time getting the final lip of the tire over the rim. The first generally goes on with just your fingers then the last part is the toughest. The trick I use is to make sure the opposite lip that is already over the rim is tucked in to the deepest part of the wheel in the very center and that will create enough give for the remainder of the tire to slide over the rim. I use the Nokians too, and they slide right in this way with little effort. Try it and let us know, good luck.

Mr. Hairy Legs

I always carry a metal tire lever along with two plastic ones. The metal one gets used every time.

tsl

No problem with 700x35mm Hakkapeliitta W106s on Velocity VXC hoops. They're the only tires I can mount using only my fingers. Everything else, I have to use a tire lever.

So yeah, it depends on your tire/rim combination.

BassNotBass

Never tried the Nokians but the Schwalbe Marathon Winters HS396 were easy to fit (no levers needed... but keep in mind these were 20").

ThermionicScott 

I bought a cheapie used front wheel for winter service, and the W160 mounted so easily that I worried it might blow off. It hasn't, but that goes to show that the rim plays an equal role in this.

On the rear, I definitely need to get the beads down into the rim well like droy45 pointed out, but even then, I don't need tire levers.

Arrowana

I threw the Nokain Hakkapelitta W106 and Mount and Ground on the Mavic 236s on my Schwinn without much issue.

soze

I roll W106's on Salsa Delgado's. They stretch out to be more pliable, honest!

Bluish Green

+1

My 700x32 Hakkapeliitta A10's are easier to get on my Alex rims than my summer tires, which are Kenda Kwick Rollers 700x32

fietsbob

my winter bike wheels got Snow Cat Rims From All Weather Sports in Fairbanks AK..
45mm wide .. now in 26" & 29er..

david58

I liked to never got my Schwalbe Marathon Plus on my back rim - had to use tie-wraps to hold it in place as it would pop off as I worked around the rim. Which reminds me...I should put some tie wraps in my panniers this morning. Just in case...

squegeeboo

Not sure what my winter tires are, but they're a bear as well. Normal tires takes me maybe 5 minutes a tire, these guys took me about 20 each. I now have metal tire levers with rubber covering because I've broken so many when dealing with studded tires. I even manged to scrape off all the rubber coating from one of the tire liners when switching them out this season. Hate them so much.

DrakeSuperbus

The funny thing is that I have Alex rims, and I am the opposite. I can get my summer tires on with just my hands. My Hakkapeliittas are the 700x40 w240s though, so that probably explains the difference.

dynaryder

https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire.../dp/B001AYML7K

Gets the hardest tires on.

unterhausen

I bought my Hakkapeliittas used, 26" W240 just popped on the rim without much effort at all. In fact, I was a little concerned they wouldn't seat properly, but that wasn't an issue.

Medic Zero

+1, although I've never used three levers, so only carry two, but one of them is always a metal one. I'm usually rolling on very wide, box section, doublewalled rims, so some tires are a struggle to get on and off.

If these tires are brand new, and this is the first time mounting them, this should be the most difficult time. I've had concerns about being able to change a flat on the road after struggling at home, but subsequent tire changes always got easier (I was very flat prone for a while).

Second the recommendation to set the tires next to a heater before putting them on at home.

Burton

I'm running that size myself and changed the inner tubes this year (3rd winter) just to be on the safe side. No issues so it must be your particular rim. Mine are 18 year old Arayas.

ThermionicScott 

Just make sure you don't set them too close! An alternate would be to do some trial installs without a tube -- that should loosen up the bead a little and let you focus on the technique of getting the beads into the rim well and rolling that last bit over the rim edge with your fingers.

MNBikeguy

Are you kidding? Installing the mount and ground on my salsa delgado rims has been known to create new curse words. I keep reminding myself it's worth it - I'll never get a flat with these beasts. As TSL posts, a lot depends on your rims.

irwin7638

I use, A10's on two bikes, one with 700x32 the other 650bx40 on velocity rims. No problems.
I have the 700x45 W106 on Sun Ryhno rims, again no problem.
No being contrary, just sayin'
But a flat in the winter, that is an automatic buss ride anyway.

Marc

peterw_diy

I don't remember how tight the bead fit was, but I do remember cursing the studs as they scraped my bare hands when I installed my tires. I'm lucky enough to have a second wheelset, so the studded tires stay on until and unless I flat. Hopefully when that happens I'll remember to wear some decent work gloves.

MileHighMark

I experienced the same thing when I mounted my Schwalbe Marathon Winters for the first time. The carbide studs are surprisingly sharp.