Coby

Hi, I'm a new cycling and I am trying to change the my first flat. Everything was fine up until the last few inches of the tire install. It just will not go. I've been told to avoid using tire irons on install because it can pinch the tube. So I was trying with just my hands, but it's impossible. I get ~85% of the tire seated inside, but it won't go any further. Any progress is just reversed when it slides out. Even with a single iron(the other broke), it will not stretch up over the edge of the rim.

Does anyone have any tips or advice? I assume it's just hard because the tire is new, so is there any way to expedite the stretching/loosening of it?

Thanks.

banerjek

Use two irons. One holds the tire in place to keep it from popping out one side while you gradually work the tire over the rim with the other.

Be aware that not all tire irons are created equal and how you use them influences whether they work (or break). Some tires are particularly hard to mount, but it's always possible.

catmandew52

What brand tires?
I posted last week about trying to install a blue Duro 27" on my brothers bike. I had to use motorcycle tire spoons to get the beads or the rims.

stonefree

I use two large screwdrivers and I've never broken or pinched a single tube or tire and can probably do one in less than 5 minutes. Keep trying and practice makes perfect.

Coby

Yeah, I was thinking that. And now I really wish the 2nd tire irons didn't break. I guess I might just have to wait until I can go buy another.

Just the Bontrager ones that came on my Trek. I plan on getting some Hutchinson tires soon, so hopefully they'll be a bit easier.

Yeah, I figured that would work. But I wasn't sure how safe it would be for the tire or rim. With my lack of experience, I'd probably screw it up somehow.

Thanks guys.

prathmann

A little soapy water on the edge of the rim can help lubricate it so the tire can slip over a little easier. Also make sure that the tire is seated as deeply as possible in the rim channel around the rest of the wheel - that gives you as much slack as possible in the last few inches of tire that you're trying to get over the edge.

banerjek

If you're talking about the Bontrager Hardcases, you probably will have an easier time after switching (though there are tires that are harder than those). If you have something else, switching may make no difference.

Coby

Yeah, this tire is the devil. I tried using a screwdriver and a tire iron, but failed. When I trued to be careful and light with the screwdriver, it was obvious it wasn't going to do it. When I tried with a little more force, but still being careful I could tell the screwdriver was going in too far and I pinched it. These crap Genuine Innovations tire irons didn't help either, they might as well be toothpicks.

These Bontrager T1 tires must be crazy hard, or maybe I'm just incompetent.

So now I'll just order new tires and speedy shipping. Which is probably for the best. I really wouldn't want to have to deal with the stiff tires when I'm out on the road. Especially since they're such a pain for me when I'm at my house!

Should the Hutchinson Fusion 3 Special Edition Road Tires be easier?

murpes

A healthy sprinkling of baby powder inside a new tire helps a lot with getting them on. When I'm riding on new tires, I carry my tubes in a plastic bag with a decent amount of powder. If you patch your tubes, however, the powder is a pain.

brian416

The Genuine Innovation irons take alot of pressure to break them. When you get to the end, hold both ends of the tire so it doesn't slip and just work 1/2" of the tire over the rim at a time.

Sometimes tires are too tight and need irons. You don't want to try to pull the whole bead over at once, just a little section at a time.

It might also help to bring it into the shop and have them show you how to change properly. I think it's easier to learn by watching someone change a tire in front of you and being able to show you how to do it in person.

Diegomayra

Hehe, keep trying. You can try two levers at once, but honestly you should just keep trying with directional force. Make sure that the lever is placed well into the wheel at a tangent, hold it firm. A little cooking oil might help, some tires are made of soft compound that is quite sticky; e.g. Michelin Pro 3's.

EDIT: Only apply oil to the portion of the beaded edge that is last to get in. ( Opposite method as posted above: Talc-Powder works to remove stickiness as well)

MrTuner1970

This video might be useful. It's for road tubeless, but should work for other "difficult" tires. (Road tubeless tires are hard to install at first until the rolling technique is learned.)

Fulcrum has a video that shows tire levers used for a tubeless install.