First off....to those that have done it, I bow down to you!
Good thing this isn't an actual flat on the road incident. I thought I'll install a slime tube on my DT VIIIH rear tire, to guard against flat, because its a PITA to remove as it is (no QR). For the past half hour, I already broken two levers trying to get the tire off this rim. Any suggestions on how to do it easier? Are those puncture resistant tires (Schwalbe, Conti, Primo....) any better or are they just as hard to install/remove?
Again, I'm just thankful this isn't an actual road side flat incident.

Puncture resistant tyres, especially the Schwalbe marathon plus is very hard to remove and install - because they are so stiff. The thinking is, you won't need to do that very often given that you won't be getting punctures.

Assuming you're using the proper technique to remove one side of the bead and the tyre is completely deflated you can also try squeezing the tyre towards the middle of the rim - that may give you the extra space you need to easily remove the tyre. Or it might not. Depending on the rim (I'm not familiar with that specific wheelset).

If you're snapping tire levers you're doing something very wrong. Ask at your LBS if you can watch them change a tire, or see if they offer a basic maintenance class.

If you think it's hard to get off then just wait until you try to get it back on.

I think the rims on the VIIIH are oversized because I've also broken several tire levers while fighting for countless hours with mine. I guess we get what we paid for.

' went to Performance Bike and bought levers that has steel insert. I got it out now, but it was still a brutish job.
I'm not sure if I wanna continue on commuting on this bike now. Should I invest on airless tires? Truth be told, I never had any flat on the stock Kenda tires, but I know there's always that first flat looming, and when it happens, I know I'll be suffering. Are cheaper, less puncture resistant tires easy to install?

Have you removed tires from other rims that came off much easier than this one, or is this your first time changing a bike tire? If you're inexperienced at removing tires, get someone to show you how to do it the right way before you throw away a perfectly good set and buy something else that may not be any easier.

Yes, I have removed tires from my other bikes. Just yesterday, I installed new tires (Michelin Citi) on my Fuji folder and it wasn't this hard. The only thing I can recall closer to this was when I installed Conti Gatorskin tires on my road bike. But that only took me a few minutes to do, It was tough, but not as tough as this 20incher.

Are those the orange Spin Dr? These levels are tough but also thick and hard to insert between the tire and the rim. I had better experience with the Pedros levers:

https://www.rei.com/product/705651

Kam

Yes its Spin Dr. It worked though.

I replaced the Kendas on my DT IX FS after about 1,000 miles - they had plenty of tread left but I was getting punctures on a regular basis, which is no fun to repair in the dark, cold and wet winter mornings. Plus, I would miss the train and get to work with filthy hands.

So I got some Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and haven't had a single puncture since. They certainly are heavier than the Kenda's but they feel like they roll better. I inspect them every day and pick out the occasional chunk of broken glass. Highly Reccomended IMHO.

I found getting the Kendas on and off the rim easy enough, but the Schwalbes were a bit tricky.

My tip is to lube the rim and/or the bead of the tyre - water (or spit for those roadside repairs) works ok, but a blob of liquid soap works wonders!

All the best,

R

Please post back what you find because I'm in the same predicament except I don't think I would ever even attempt to change a flat on the road with this bike. My problem is that even changing at home I can't necessarily find an extra 5 hours to change a flat after work and while the clowns at the LBS can change a tire alright, they screw up other things when they do it (like the adjustment of the internal hub).

I know the problem is the rims, but I'm wondering if a folding/kevlar bead would be easier.

OK, I have finally done it - I have made a crappy commentless video of how to remove a tyre with no tools.

How to remove bicycle tire with no tools:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xZ6Lybtc8Q

I am uploading some pics with descriptions too, and will start a new thread on it.

Pure magic ;-)

I can't wait to try it on my tires.

BTW, any trick how to put them back with no tools?

Kam

I might try that one day, not now, ' coz I'm still PO'ed with the whole tyre removal/install affair. Thanks so much for sharing though.

I remember using large steel levers and having a struggle to fit a set of these tyres https://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/





But that was with my old Land Rover
Bicycle tyres, even motorcycle tyres are easy by comparison......

Your technique must be wrong.

16 inchers are even tougher. I always use plenty of bead wax when I put them on.

I used to work at Halfords, a large bike shop chain in the UK. They sold Carrera Subway bikes. There midrange hybrids. I used to dred seeing one coming back in cause they had a puncture. Especially if it was an 8 speed shimano hub and brake model. Those took ages to get the wheel out and then it was time for tyre lever carnage. Think the tyres were branded for the bike too. So they must have asked for them to be that tight on the rims.
The rims were aero box section, always think they dont have enough difference in height from the bead seat and the rim well, so theres not much slack in the tyre.
They also sold the Apollo CX10 hybrid. These were cheaper bikes and the tyres hardly stay on the rims. Guess the thing to do would be to swap the tyres from bike to bike.

Flat head screwdriver and a pry-bar!

have you tried a pair of these ?

+1 on getting some training. And practice more. It ain't that hard.

I've never come across a tire that was particularly difficult. Then again, my mum taught me how to fix a flat when I was about 6 years old, so I've got another 28 years of practice since then.

I have a set of three like that - two to hold, one to pry. Took a bit to learn how to use them, but now I can get my 16" tires on and off, no problem.

Good job, Jur!

Where is the valve stem when you "rip" the tire off the rim - Bottom?

Thanks,

Lou

Yep, Bottom.

Some tyres are quite loose on rims.
Last MTB tyre I changed I deflated and them just held the tyre up with one hand. The sort of punched, moved my arm. Tyre came off justy like that.

Im going to fit BMX tyres to my City folding bike later when the bike defrosts. Hope the tyres are easy to come off those rims. There 3 speed SA hub on Polish alloys. Think there ok