Why are my tyres so hard to change?

I've tried three different brands of tyres and yet it's all but impossible to swap out a tyre on my road bike. It's like the wheel is too big!

I've tried using several levers, heating the tyre with a hair dryer or leaving it in the sun for a while but it's impossible. It takes two people and lots of swearing to get it done if you are lucky.

I punctured on the way to the start line of a sportive last summer and it took myself and a very experienced mechanic 20 minutes to get the tyre back on. He said it was the worst he'd seen in years.

Other than forking out for new wheels any suggestions?

crosstownk

What wheel/tyre combination?

I've never had a tyre that I couldn't get on to a rim. However, I have had tyres that were incredibly difficult to fit. Mavic Yksion were a b1tch to fit. A smear of washing up liquid can help.

I've also had tyres that I could fit by just rolling them on by hand - Michelin Pro4 SC rolled on to my previous Giant PR rims but the same tyres need gentle persuasion with levers to fit Campagnolo and Fulcrum rims.

magicbastarder

in my (limited) experience, folding tyres are much easier. had continental grand sports on a previous bike and they were a bastard to get on and off, found gp4000s which i replaced them with much easier.

Wishbone Ash

Have you/can you borrow a wheel just to see if they are easier on another brand?

Springy Turf

Deleted User wrote: »

I've tried three different brands of tyres and yet it's all but impossible to swap out a tyre on my road bike. It's like the wheel is too big!

I've tried using several levers, heating the tyre with a hair dryer or leaving it in the sun for a while but it's impossible. It takes two people and lots of swearing to get it done if you are lucky.

I punctured on the way to the start line of a sportive last summer and it took myself and a very experienced mechanic 20 minutes to get the tyre back on. He said it was the worst he'd seen in years.

Other than forking out for new wheels any suggestions?

Try "How To Fit Any Difficult-To-Fit Bike Tyre" - it has a few suggestions. When I have had difficulty, soapy water has been the most successful method for me. Once the tire has been on and off a couple of times, I find it gets a little easier.

Wishbone Ash

Springy Turf wrote: »

.. soapy water has been the most successful method for me...

Fine if at home but not really accessible at the side of a road.

07Lapierre

Bought a set of Conti GP5000’s recently. Fitted them to a set of Fulcrum Quattro wheels... no issue.

So I bought another set to put on a set of Fast-forward wheels. Geez I nearly burst a blood vessel trying to get them on! Bizzarly for the tyre onto the rear wheel (eventually) but could not for the life of me get it onto the front wheel.

Eventually gave up and bought a pair of Pirelli P Zero tyres.. went on no problem.

There's a special place in hell reserved for gatorskin tyres imo.

thekooman

what type of wheels have you? if its a set of Mavic UST's you may have issues trying to put on normal clinchers.

Wishbone Ash

Deleted User wrote: »

There's a special place in hell reserved for gatorskin tyres imo.

Gators are handy enough compared to Schwalbe Marathons.

John Hutton

I use marathons and marathon extremes. Really hard but there are some techniques that will help. Brute force will not do it, there are some good videos on YouTube specific to those tires which are universally regarded as really tough to get on and off.

John_Rambo

My bike has Schwalbe kojak tyres.

To fix a puncture you need three days, a bottle of baby oil, two kilos of talcum powder, fourteen tyre levers, Arnold Schwarzenegger (in his prime), four hands and Keith Duffy.

cletus

I was going to complain about the Schwalbe Smart Sam's I put on one of my bikes. I literally (well maybe figuratively) kicked my wheels around the kitchen trying to get them on

But then I saw Rambo had similar struggles, so I thought, **** it Cletus, you're not doing too bad

John_Rambo

Tell the lads Keith sentye.

magicbastarder

and then when you get the bastard on - the bead doesn't sit right into the rim so you get a flat spot.

this is more where the soapy water comes in. i would *not* recommend soapy water getting the tyre *onto* the wheel, you need as much grip as possible doing that, i.e. not to destroy any grip you had in trying to pull the damn thing into place.

Wishbone Ash

magicbastarder wrote: »

and then when you get the bastard on - the bead doesn't sit right into the rim so you get a flat spot....

....or the rotational direction is wrong... ....or the fcuking logo isn't over the valve! :mad:

cletus

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

....or the rotational direction is wrong... ....or the fcuking logo isn't over the valve! :mad:

I generally set my logos at about 17°, but no more that 21°, counterclockwise from the valve

Shai

I bought this tool a while back: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A855QRY. It helped me a lot. It's no miracle tool, but there was deffo less swearing involved than usual.

John_Rambo

John_Rambo wrote: »

My bike has Schwalbe kojak tyres.

To fix a puncture you need three days, a bottle of baby oil, two kilos of talcum powder, fourteen tyre levers, Arnold Schwarzenegger (in his prime), four hands and Keith Duffy.

Sounds like my experience!

Springy Turf

Springy Turf wrote: »

Try "How To Fit Any Difficult-To-Fit Bike Tyre" - it has a few suggestions. When I have had difficulty, soapy water has been the most successful method for me. Once the tire has been on and off a couple of times, I find it gets a little easier.

Is that the GCN video? Not much help and the tyre he fits slips on like a cotton shirt!

route66

I used to have lots of difficulty fitting tyres before I adopted the following technique which I read about somewhere:

Go as far as you can until you get to the last difficult bit (which should be nowhere near the valve). Then try harder. Keep going until you have the absolute minimum of bead exposed. Then, and only then, turn your attention to the opposite side of the wheel; squeeze the beads together and push these into the well of the rim. This should provide enough clearance so that you can push the remainder of the tyre in.

This has worked well for me on GP4000s, wire rimmed Schwalbe Marathon tyres, wire rimmed gatorskins, etc and mostly without tyre levers - just roll the last bit on.

Alanbt

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Fine if at home but not really accessible at the side of a road.

I bring a tiny bottle (size of baby finger) of washing up liquid in saddle pack for this. Just use for sliding on last bit of tyre. Find it helps when a tight squeeze

Fian

Shai wrote: »

I bought this tool a while back: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A855QRY. It helped me a lot. It's no miracle tool, but there was deffo less swearing involved than usual.

I have one of these, or really i should say had.

It bent out of shape when i was putting on my gatorskins so it doesn't work anymore.

Also not really a tool you can keep in a saddlebag, more for home use.

murphyebass

[Deleted User] wrote: »

There's a special place in hell reserved for gatorskin tyres imo.

Since my gatorskins have been on I’ve had zero punctures but I’m moving to Pirelli P Zero 4S this week hopefully (they’re in the post :-) ) for two reasons:

1. If they ever were to puncture, however unlikely that it’s, I think I’d be on the side of the road for a looooong time trying to get them back on. More likely I’d have to call the wife for a lift home.

2. Grip. Gatorskins are absolutely terrifying in the wet and let’s face it we don’t have all year round dry weather.

mh_cork

Shai wrote: »

I bought this tool a while back: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A855QRY. It helped me a lot. It's no miracle tool, but there was deffo less swearing involved than usual.

I came into this thread with the intention of suggesting this too.

Makes some difference to getting Marathon tyres on.

I also use a set of aluminium Lezyne tyre levers - lots of people will say dont use metallic levers, but after breaking multiple plastic ones, these are my goto set.

Type 17

route66 wrote: »

I used to have lots of difficulty fitting tyres before I adopted the following technique which I read about somewhere:

Go as far as you can until you get to the last difficult bit (which should be nowhere near the valve). Then try harder. Keep going until you have the absolute minimum of bead exposed. Then, and only then, turn your attention to the opposite side rest of the wheel; squeeze the beads together and push these into the well of the rim. This should provide enough clearance so that you can push the remainder of the tyre in.

This has worked well for me on GP4000s, wire rimmed Schwalbe Marathon tyres, wire rimmed gatorskins, etc and mostly without tyre levers - just roll the last bit on.

This. (with my slight edit)

Even with the above method, some tyres/rims are just bigger/smaller than the spec (like how some shoe brands run big or small, so you have to go up or down a half-size or so to get the fit you normally expect).

Conti's are tight, Schwalbe are a bit tight too. Giant branded tyres are so loose that you need to check that they are seated properly before you go up past ~20PSI.

Some rims run big (some Mavics) - I've broken a few plastic tyre levers putting Continentals onto Mavics, even using the above method.

Wishbone Ash

murphyebass wrote: »

Since my gatorskins have been on I’ve had zero punctures but I’m moving to Pirelli P Zero 4S this week hopefully (they’re in the post :-) ) for two reasons:

1. If they ever were to puncture, however unlikely that it’s, I think I’d be on the side of the road for a looooong time trying to get them back on. More likely I’d have to call the wife for a lift home.

2. Grip. Gatorskins are absolutely terrifying in the wet and let’s face it we don’t have all year round dry weather.

I punctured Gators several times and blew the side out of one. They are by no means puncture proof. There's a knack to getting them on and can be easily done on the roadside without levers.

I stopped using them a few years ago because, as you say, they are very dodgy in the wet especially the extra durable version of them - can't recall the sub-name of them (Dead something?).

murphyebass

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I punctured Gators several times and blew the side out of one. They are by no means puncture proof. There's a knack to getting them on and can be easily done on the roadside without levers.

I stopped using them a few years ago because, as you say, they are very dodgy in the wet especially the extra durable version of them - can't recall the sub-name of them (Dead something?).

You must be travelling some very beat up roads full of glass and nails.

I’ve not had one puncture thankfully with them.

But yeah the grip is just atrocious so time to change for me. Would rather a few more punctures and more grip personally.

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

... they are very dodgy in the wet especially the extra durable version of them - can't recall the sub-name of them (Dead something?).

Gator Hard Shells (don't know where I got the 'dead' from.

murphyebass wrote: »

You must be travelling some very beat up roads full of glass and nails...

Not really but I do recall that when I punctured, it was usually a nail, tack, industrial staple etc.

murphyebass

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Gator Hard Shells (don't know where I got the 'dead' from.

Not really but I do recall that when I punctured, it was usually a nail, tack, industrial staple etc.

I must have been very lucky so.

As it happens my new Pirelli’s just arrived.

Hope they fit the bike now. I went with 25’s to see what all the fuss was about.

woody1

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Gators are handy enough compared to Schwalbe Marathons.

glad to hear this, was trying to put a set onto the young fellas bike, got the front one on eventually but tore the tube with the levers, didnt even try the back one, itl be going into the bike shop soon and they can do it ..

Wishbone Ash

woody1 wrote: »

glad to hear this, was trying to put a set onto the young fellas bike, got the front one on eventually but tore the tube with the levers, didnt even try the back one, itl be going into the bike shop soon and they can do it ..

If you're doing it at home, you can use cable ties to secure each section as you go along. Start at the valve and work around each side alternately without levers. (Not possible at the roadside but, with marathon Plus's, you won't be in that position. Also, they become more supple after a bit of use).

murphyebass

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If you're doing it at home, you can use cable ties to secure each section as you go along. Start at the valve and work around each side alternately without levers. (Not possible at the roadside but, with marathon Plus's, you won't be in that position. Also, they become more supple after a bit of use).

That sounds like an absolute nightmare. Imagine you get a flat at the side of the road.

route66

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I punctured Gators several times and blew the side out of one. They are by no means puncture proof. There's a knack to getting them on and can be easily done on the roadside without levers.

I stopped using them a few years ago because, as you say, they are very dodgy in the wet especially the extra durable version of them - can't recall the sub-name of them (Dead something?).

Gator Hardshell (link) ?

I had these on a Trek hybrid and they were indestructible. After about 8 years of proper use (10 - 15K Kms total) they punctured one day and it was only then that I saw they were worn to the canvas.

I can't remember any particular low grip incidents with these, but years ago I had regular Gatorskins (link) on a road bike and I got a few scary moments on those. Have used GP4000s ever since

Wishbone Ash

murphyebass wrote: »

That sounds like an absolute nightmare. Imagine you get a flat at the side of the road.

They are particularly difficult to put on when new. They are much easier after a bit of use. In saying that, have you ever seen a punctured Dublin bike? They use Marathon Plus. I put 25,000kms on a pair on a commuting bike without a single puncture. I still have them hanging up in the garage - well worn and full of nicks and cuts but they've never let me down.

murphyebass

My new Pirelli’s arrived. Tried one on my front tyre which I knew would be tight.

No joy. Ever so slightly too big for the frame.

Back to my Gatorskins it is for now before I buy a new bike. Will keep the 25’s for then.

I nearly cried.

crosstownk

murphyebass wrote: »

I must have been very lucky so.

As it happens my new Pirelli’s just arrived.

Hope they fit the bike now. I went with 25’s to see what all the fuss was about.

murphyebass wrote: »

My new Pirelli’s arrived. Tried one on my front tyre which I knew would be tight.

No joy. Ever so slightly too big for the frame.

Are you saying that your 25 Pirellis wont clear the bike frame? This would be most unusual.

Or do you mean they are tight to fit to the rim of the wheel??

magicbastarder

i used to own a bike which took a 23 on the front but it literally had about 2mm to spare between the tyre and the inside of the fork crown. this was not the gap between the side of the tyre and the fork tine, it was the gap between the centre of the tread and the fork crown.

murphyebass

crosstownk wrote: »

[/B]



Are you saying that your 25 Pirellis wont clear the bike frame? This would be most unusual.

Or do you mean they are tight to fit to the rim of the wheel??

I’m saying I’d need to file away the part under the fork for it to fit which I’m not gonna do.

Bear in mind the bike is 10 years old. 25c wasn’t really thought about at the time I suppose.

Tbh I was considering buying a new bike under the bike for work scheme so this just another reason to buy a new bike.

crosstownk

murphyebass wrote: »

I’m saying I’d need to file away the part under the fork for it to fit which I’m not gonna do.

Bear in mind the bike is 10 years old. 25c wasn’t really thought about at the time I suppose.

Tbh I was considering buying a new bike under the bike for work scheme so this just another reason to buy a new bike.

Ah OK. I incorrectly assumed the bike was relatively new.

murphyebass

crosstownk wrote: »

Ah OK. I incorrectly assumed the bike was relatively new.

Nah old as fook. Still in good nick though.

Pity the 25s won’t fit. Would love to have them on for my long spin today.

Good excuse for a new bike. :-)

CramCycle

route66 wrote: »

I used to have lots of difficulty fitting tyres before I adopted the following technique which I read about somewhere:

Go as far as you can until you get to the last difficult bit (which should be nowhere near the valve). Then try harder. Keep going until you have the absolute minimum of bead exposed. Then, and only then, turn your attention to the opposite side of the wheel; squeeze the beads together and push these into the well of the rim. This should provide enough clearance so that you can push the remainder of the tyre in.

This has worked well for me on GP4000s, wire rimmed Schwalbe Marathon tyres, wire rimmed gatorskins, etc and mostly without tyre levers - just roll the last bit on.

I discovered this by accident after nearly flinging the wheel and a half put on Schwalbe marathon across the wall into my neighbours in frustration, made them relatively easy, a great tip that I only figured out by luck in the last year.

Type 17

This thread has reminded me of a story from my youth:

Many years ago (summer of 1989), I was working in a bike shop in London and a guy came in, saying that he had had terrible trouble getting a new tyre (bought elsewhere) onto his rim, and he had pinched the tube, but now he couldn't get it off.

We took a look and realised that he had bought a 700c tyre (ETRTO rim size 622mm) and had actually managed to get it (with steel tyre levers) onto a 27x1¼" rim (ETRTO rim size 630mm). The tyre's diameter was fully 8mm too small for the rim, and the bead was stuck firmly in the rim-well all the way around.

We couldn't get it out ourselves, so we had to snip away a section of the tyre with a side-cutter pliers to expose the wire beads, and then snip them to remove the ruined tyre and remains of the tube.

We congratulated him on his tenacity, and gave him a discount on a new 27" tyre.

magicbastarder

Type 17 wrote: »

We congratulated him on his tenacity, and gave him a discount on a new 27" tyre.

you should have given him a job. after that he'd probably have been able to get a tyre onto a rim it was actually designed for simply by looking at it.

Truthvader

Havent been on a bile for over 40 years. Two forks did the trick when I was kid. Os everything now just a bit more difficult?

Type 17

Truthvader wrote: »

Havent been on a bike for over 40 years. Two forks did the trick when I was kid. Is everything now just a bit more difficult?

It's probably easier now - decent nylon tyre levers (kinder on the hands, and kinder on alloy or carbon rims (which are a lot stronger and resistant to dents/flat-spots than old steel rims)), thinner-walled but wider tyres (easier than cheap, thick 23's).

Add in foam rim tape and oval-section drop-bars (much nicer on the hands) and indexed gear shifters as part of the brake levers (rather than friction ones on the down-tube), and you get why I never wanted a racer when I was young (got my first drop-bar bike in 2017 after a lifetime of 3-speeds, BMX's, MTB's and flat-bar racers).

magicbastarder

I think he/she meant is getting tyres on more difficult these days. If so - tyres are a different beast now, generally the more puncture proof they are, the harder they are to mount onto the rim.

Type 17

magicbastarder wrote: »

I think he/she meant is getting tyres on more difficult these days. If so - tyres are a different beast now, generally the more puncture proof they are, the harder they are to mount onto the rim.

I know, but s/he hasn't been on a bike in 40 years, so I was just catching him/her up on other developments too

magicbastarder

mentioned here before, but my 70+ year old mother in law has never been on a bike.

Truthvader

magicbastarder wrote: »

mentioned here before, but my 70+ year old mother in law has never been on a bike.

She better learn cos the Greens look like they are getting into power.

Going to fight them all way from the comfort of my car myself. I've done my time on bicycles. Anyway as above it appears I will be more comfortable doing a full engine rebuild than changing a tyre on a bike these days (and quicker if the posters here are to be believed)

magicbastarder

i bought new tyres recently and they flew on. some tyres are more equal than others.